Roz Elliott, Toybox's Programme Manager for Latin America shares her thoughts on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and highlights the inspiring work taking place in Bolivia to promote inclusion and break down barriers for children with disabilities.
Pictured above: Children supported by Toybox partner, Alalay at the Festival of Inclusion event in La Paz.
Why Inclusion Matters
This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated globally on 3rd December, reminds us that making progress in social development is impossible without the full inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
While significant progress has been made on disability rights, the available statistics paint a staggering picture of the barriers faced by people with disabilities. Nearly 240 million children worldwide – 1 in 10 – have a disability. Children with disabilities are:
- 49% more likely to have never attended school
- 42% less likely to have foundational reading and numeracy skills
- 32% more likely to experience severe physical punishment at home
The Poverty–Disability Cycle
The links between poverty and disability have been widely documented – the poverty-disability cycle means that persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, as they face significant barriers to full inclusion in society. In turn, those who live in poverty are more likely to acquire a disability which may push them further into poverty. Children with disabilities are more likely to experience violence at home and to miss out on education – factors that push them into a life living or working on the streets. Once they become street-connected, they are at even greater risk of exploitation and abuse than children without disabilities in street situations.
Toybox’s Commitment to Inclusion
Toybox-supported projects work towards strengthening community, local and national child protection systems, seeking policy and practice changes to ensure the rights of children in street situations are realised. We are on a journey towards ensuring that our projects are inclusive and contributing to reducing the barriers faced by children with disabilities in street situations.
Pictured above: Marisol shares a powerful message at the Festival of Inclusion.
Voices of Change: Marisol’s Message
Marisol (10), a child leader with Toybox partner Alalay, spoke at a recent ‘Festival of Inclusion’ organised in La Paz, Bolivia. She shared:
“Inclusion means that no-one is left out. It means that in our schools, in our activities and in our games, everyone can participate. It’s like saying to someone ‘you can be here too. You are important too’. In the end, we all want the same thing: to play, learn and have friends […] because our differences don’t separate us… they complete us!”
Celebrating Diversity: The Festival of Inclusion
The Festival marked the start of a partnership between Alalay and CEREFE, a local centre focused on education for children with disabilities. Children and teenagers with disabilities and those from the “I count too” network created and presented a short performance, showcasing talent, boosting self-esteem, and promoting a positive narrative about diversity and inclusion.
Pictured above: The group of performers at the Festival of Inclusion.
Breaking Barriers to Identity
The right to identity is often the gateway to other rights and services. Alongside the performances, a joint ID campaign turned the celebration into an opportunity for change. Mobile teams from the civil registry services of SERECI (birth certificates) and SEGIP (ID cards) were available throughout the day, removing a major barrier to obtaining legal identity. Normally, parents or guardians must travel to the nearest office to register a birth or renew an ID card, which can be costly and time-consuming. This campaign offered free, on-site access to these essential documents for children with disabilities and their families supported by CEREFE as well as those involved in Alalay’s projects.
A Step Forward: Collaboration for Change
Carla, Alalay’s Citizenship and Advocacy Facilitator, said:
"The collaboration between the Alalay and CEREFE represents a significant step forward in restoring the right to identity for children, adolescents and young people with disabilities. This agreement not only expands the scope of documentation campaigns but also recognises that both populations—children and adolescents with disabilities and children and adolescents living on the streets—face similar structural barriers to accessing identity documents. By joining forces, we ensure a more accessible and inclusive process that is adapted to their needs, strengthening their citizenship and enabling their access to services, protection and opportunities.”
This campaign successfully provided 52 children and young people with birth certificates and supported 124 children and adults with current ID cards, essential for accessing social services like health and education in Bolivia. For those that are registered disabled, SEGIP issued an ID card that is valid indefinitely, providing additional protections for children and young people with disabilities in accessing essential services.
Pictured below: Photos from the ID campaign event: An official processes a family's ID documentation.(L) A young child holds their new ID card.(R)
Empowering the Future
Over the next year, Alalay and CEREFE intend to work together to promote inclusion, economic independence and the restoration of rights for children and young people with disabilities. This includes:
- Helping young people build businesses
- Showcasing their talents through regular fayres
- Building skills for the future with practical training and social-emotional development
Inclusion in Action: The First Entrepreneurship Fayre
The work has already begun: two weeks ago, Alalay and CEREFE hosted their first joint entrepreneurship fayre, supported by Mi Teleférico—the company that operates La Paz and El Alto’s cable car system. The event brought together young people with disabilities and adolescents in street situations to showcase their creativity and business ideas. Held in a busy public space by a cable car station, the fayre attracted visitors, boosted sales, and sent a powerful message: inclusion belongs at the heart of everyday life.
Pictured below: Participants (supported by Toybox partner Alalay, and CEREFE) at the first joint entrepreneurship fayre, November 2025.
