ChildFund Sri Lanka Drives National Change: Empowering Youth with Disabilities for Inclusive Economic Growth

In a major push to address one of the country’s most pressing social and economic challenges, ChildFund Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to securing a brighter, more inclusive future for youth with disabilities (YwD). With over 40 years of service in Sri Lanka, the organization continues to integrate gender and disability inclusion across its core initiatives in education, child protection, and community development.

Currently, nearly 70% of persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka remain unemployed due to social stigma, lack of accessible training, and limited educational support. Building on a decade of impactful work that has reached over 12,000 children, ChildFund’s Disability Inclusion Program is actively breaking down these barriers for youth aged 15–24, providing sustainable pathways to employment and financial independence.

A Strong Alliance with the Department of Social Services (DoSS)
Rather than setting up parallel services, ChildFund focuses on strengthening existing state systems to ensure long-term, structural sustainability. In a powerful collaboration with the Department of Social Services (DoSS) and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), the organization has modernized vocational training for youth with disabilities by upgrading training facility accessibility and upskilling instructors.

This partnership has successfully introduced a wide range of highly market-relevant vocational programs, including:

• Tech & Creative : Graphic Design and Mobile Phone Repair
• Service & Retail : Hospitality, Sales Assistance, and Plumbing Assistance
• Artisanal & Trade : Pastry & Baking, Jewelry Making, Batik, Footwear Technology, and Agricultural Nursery management

Corporate Roundtable: Paving the Way for Inclusive Hiring
To bridge the gap between trained youth and the job market, ChildFund recently convened the Corporate Roundtable on Disability-Inclusive Recruitment. The event brought together private sector employers, government officials, vocational training providers, and disability sector organizations.

The roundtable shifted the narrative from corporate charity to economic sense, focusing on actionable steps for the private sector:

• Implementing inclusive recruitment practices and workplace reasonable accommodations.
• Expanding internship and work exposure opportunities for youth with disabilities.
• Enhancing employer readiness and building sustainable, diverse employment models.

Connecting Rehabilitation to Employment: The AYATI & Diriya Partnership
A key highlight of the strategic discussions was creating a seamless continuum from early rehabilitation to workplace placement. ChildFund Sri Lanka highlighted the strategic value of linking the Diriya Supported Employment Programme with the specialized expertise of the AYATI National Centre for Children with Disabilities.

By connecting AYATI’s rehabilitation services with Diriya’s job placement and workplace support models, partners can ensure that young people are supported at every single stage of their journey toward long-term social and economic inclusion.