Disability-Inclusive Poverty Graduation (DIG) Evidence Brief

The need: There are 1.3 billion people with disabilities globally, making up 16% of the world’s population [1]. People with disabilities are much more likely to experience poverty, economic deprivation, limited access to resources, and barriers to social inclusion [2-4]. In low- and middle-income countries, these challenges are compounded by a lack of interventions tailored to their needs. Consequently, a focus on disability-inclusive poverty reduction is needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere”.

The Disability-Inclusive Poverty Graduation (DIG) programme was adapted from a proven Ultra-Poor Graduation model, which has improved the livelihoods of people living in poverty in over 50 countries. DIG uses a multi-pronged approach to poverty alleviation for ultra-poor households, focusing on individuals with disabilities and women. This brief summarises the findings from the trial of effectiveness of DIG, conducted in Uganda.