WHIS - Mission Disabilities

18 July 2025

Mission: Disabilities – Innovation Through Inclusion

***By Gareth Presch and ***Dr. Zafar Mahmood Meenai

Around the world, over 1.3 billion people live with a disability. Despite this vast number, individuals with disabilities remain among the most underserved and underrepresented in health, education, employment, and policy. At WHIS, we recognise this as a critical challenge—but more importantly, as a transformative opportunity.

Introducing Mission: Disabilities

Mission: Disabilities is a global programme launched by the World Health Innovation Summit to put inclusion, accessibility, and dignity at the centre of health and wellbeing innovation. This initiative is more than a campaign—it’s a movement to ensure that people with disabilities are not just supported but empowered, heard, and leading.

Led by Dr. Meenai, a passionate advocate and expert in inclusive health systems, the mission focuses on co-creating solutions with people with disabilities—not just for them. We aim to break down structural and attitudinal barriers while building pathways to opportunity through innovation, community engagement, and policy reform.

Why Now?

Global health systems are being reimagined in response to growing inequalities, digital transformation, and environmental pressures. If we don’t intentionally include disability rights and representation in these changes, we risk widening existing gaps.

This mission aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). WHIS is proud to support this mission as part of our commitment to thriving, inclusive communities where everyone can live with dignity and purpose.

Our Focus Areas:

Health Equity: Promoting inclusive healthcare access and personalised care models.
Digital Accessibility: Ensuring health tech and digital health innovations are designed inclusively.
Employment & Economic Empowerment: Partnering with employers to build accessible workplaces and create meaningful job opportunities.
Education & Advocacy: Raising awareness and championing policy reforms that advance disability rights.
Community Innovation: Supporting grassroots solutions and social enterprises led by people with disabilities.

A Word from WHIS Leadership

“True innovation in health and wellbeing must be inclusive. WHIS Mission: Disabilities is about creating systems that work with and for people with disabilities—because no one should be left behind when we shape the future.” — Gareth Presch, Founder & CEO, World Health Innovation Summit

“Our mission is to transform lives through dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunity. By amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, we can break down barriers and co-create a future where inclusion is not optional, it’s fundamental.” — Dr. Meenai, Programme Lead, WHIS Mission: Disabilities

Get Involved

Mission: Disabilities is built on partnership. Whether you’re a policymaker, innovator, health leader, employer, or advocate—we invite you to join us in making the future inclusive by design.

#MissionDisabilities | #WHIS | #InclusiveInnovation | #HealthEquity