Benita smiling after surgery for cataracts.

What we do

People living in poverty with disability are the world’s poorest people. We transform the lives of people with disability, their families and communities in the poorest places of the world.

Last year, we helped over 5.7 million people living with and at risk of disabilities in 18 countries worldwide.

To find out how our work changes lives read some of the stories of our work.

  • Smiling Serkie with her husband and child wearing an eye-patch after surgery for trachoma.

    Saving sight

    Every day, women, men and children in poor communities go blind because of diseases or conditions that could have been avoided. We prevent blindness and restore sight in the poorest places of the world by tackling eye diseases, training doctors and health care workers and carrying out sight-restoring surgeries.

    Find out more
  • Usha stands inside her petty shop in Kothara village, India.

    Building livelihoods

    Earning an income is vital to families living on the edge, offering their best chance to escape poverty. But people with disabilities in poor communities often find it difficult to earn a living and experience much higher rates of unemployment. We provide training and support for disabled people to help them get a job or start their own business.

    Find out more
  • Sikeh wearing glasses at school

    Education for all

    Education opens doors and creates opportunities, but girls and boys with disabilities are more likely to miss out on school than any other group. We help disabled children go to school and complete their education by training teachers, equipping schools and supporting parents and communities to see that every child has potential.

    Find out more
  • Purna Maya sitting in her wheelchair outside her destroyed house.

    Emergency response

    When disasters strike, disabled people are often among the worst affected. They may miss out on warnings or be unable to escape quickly. Shelters or food distribution may be impossible to access. CBM responds immediately to emergencies, providing life-saving aid to people with disabilities or injuries and working to rebuild lives and communities.

    Find out more
  • Zawad smiles after clubfoot surgery on hospital bed.

    Improving health

    People living in poor countries are more likely to be disabled than those in wealthy parts of the world, often due to lack of access to healthcare. We prevent and treat conditions that can lead to disability, while improving access to rehabilitation and devices such as hearing aids or wheelchairs. As mental health conditions are among the leading..

    Find out more
  • Women sitting together at a self-help group for people with disabilities and their family members.

    Inclusion & rights

    In many countries where we work, people with disabilities face stigma and discrimination. They are often excluded from communities, denied their rights and opportunities to fulfil their potential. We help equip disabled people and their families to speak out and claim their rights, and show that we all benefit when disabled people are included.

    Find out more
  • Group of people talking. Back of Tshirt reads Mental Illness, Everyone's Business, Stop the Stigma.

    Mental health

    Mental health conditions are a leading cause of disability and ill-health worldwide. 80% of people with mental illness live in developing countries. Most have no access to treatment or support and many face extreme poverty, stigma, discrimination and abuse. With over 15 years of expertise in global mental health, we’re working to change that.

    Find out more

Keep up to date! Sign up to our e-news here