World Institute on Disability

04/28/2026

We’re proud to welcome Aliança Fernandes to the World Institute on Disability Board of Directors.

Aliança is a dedicated peer leader and advocate from Timor-Leste, bringing a vital youth-led and grassroots perspective to WID’s board. As the Lead Project Coordinator for Juventude ba Dezenvolvimentu Násional (JDN), she has spent some time spearheading initiatives that educate and empower young people. Her leadership is centered on the intersection of disability rights, gender equity, and civic safety, ensuring that marginalized voices are at the forefront of national development.

At JDN, a dynamic community-based organization in Dili, Aliança has been instrumental in leading the Safe Transport Campaign. This critical work advocates for accessible and secure public transportation for women and people with disabilities, aiming to eliminate discrimination and systemic barriers to mobility. Her efforts extend to diverse community issues, including sexual and reproductive health education and public health prevention programs, reflecting her holistic approach to social inclusion.

With a deep commitment to eliminating social stigma, Aliança bridges local activism with broader human rights advocacy. Her work reflects the power of youth-led movements in creating sustainable change and improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the Pacific region. Aliança’s voice strengthens WID’s commitment to global representation and inclusive safety, and we are honored to have her leadership guide our future impact.

04/23/2026

We’re honored to welcome Sabine Lobnig to the World Institute on Disability Board of Directors!

Sabine is a distinguished leader in global telecommunications and accessibility, currently serving as the Director of Communications for the Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF). In this role, she represents an international association of companies dedicated to the evolution of 5G and the Internet of Things, with a primary focus on the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI). Her work with GARI is instrumental in empowering consumers to identify mobile devices, wearables, and Smart TVs with specialized accessibility features, ranging from built-in screen readers to haptic feedback, that meet their individual needs.

Her leadership extends into the professional accessibility community as a founding member of the D-A-CH Chapter of the IAAP - International Association of Accessibility Professionals. Sabine is deeply committed to systemic inclusion, having recently completed a master’s thesis in 2024 focused on the critical challenge of increasing the representation of people with disabilities in leadership positions. This academic rigor, combined with her technical expertise, allows her to bridge the gap between emerging technology and inclusive corporate governance.

With over a decade of experience in international communications and digital advocacy, Sabine brings a wealth of knowledge in making complex technical landscapes accessible to all. Her voice strengthens WID’s commitment to global digital equity and the advancement of disability representation in the executive suite. We’re honored to welcome her and excited for the impact ahead.

02/24/2026

We are honored to welcome Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo to the World Institute on Disability Board of Directors!

Charlotte is a globally respected leader in disability-inclusive development and human rights, currently serving as the Global Disability Advisor for the The World Bank Group. Her work advances disability inclusion across policies, programs, and projects aligned with the Bank’s mission to end poverty and promote shared prosperity. Through her leadership, disability inclusion is not treated as an afterthought but as a core development priority.

Charlotte’s career reflects decades of impact at the highest levels of global policy and governance. Appointed by President Obama to lead USAID’s disability-inclusive development efforts, she helped shape policies and country strategies that strengthened international approaches to inclusion. Earlier, she was appointed by President Nelson Mandela as a Commissioner to the South African Human Rights Commission, where she championed social, economic, disability, and child rights.

She also played a historic role in the negotiation and drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, representing National Human Rights Institutions during treaty development—work that continues to influence disability rights worldwide.

A human rights lawyer, published author, TEDx speaker, and recent recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Stellenbosch University, Charlotte brings unparalleled expertise, vision, and global perspective to WID’s board.
We are privileged to welcome Charlotte’s leadership and look forward to the insight and impact she will bring as we advance disability rights and inclusion worldwide.

02/18/2026

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Jongbae Kim and learn more about his impactful work.

Dr. Kim brings four decades of lived experience as a quadriplegic and a powerful perspective shaped by resilience, innovation, and systems change. After sustaining a cervical spinal cord injury at age 24, he went on to earn his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh—demonstrating what becomes possible when access, technology, and social investment align.

Now a professor in South Korea, Dr. Kim teaches and conducts research in rehabilitation engineering and human engineering, helping advance technologies and approaches that expand independence and participation for Disabled people. His work reflects the transformation of Korea’s disability and welfare landscape—and the impact of inclusive infrastructure on individual and societal outcomes.

Dr. Kim’s leadership strengthens WID’s global reach and deepens our commitment to disability-led innovation. We are excited to learn from him and to work together to shape a more accessible and equitable future.

02/10/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome an extraordinary group of leaders to the World Institute on Disability Board of Directors 🌍

Our new board members bring deep expertise, lived experience, and global perspective...strengthening WID’s mission to advance disability rights, inclusion, and systems change worldwide.

Please join us in welcoming:
Sylvain OBEDI K Obedi (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Gurpreet Kaur (USA)
Meg Filer (USA)
Sabine Lobnig (Austria)
Lauren C. Lobrano (USA)
Kim Jongbae (South Korea)
Dr. Caroline Casey Casey (Ireland)
Aliança Fernandes (Timor-Leste)
Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo (USA)

We’re honored to learn from you, lead with you, and build what’s next—together.

02/02/2026

The SSA adjusts the limits for SSI and SSDI annually which can be difficult to navigate.

With new SSI payment amounts and higher Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, many people with disabilities can earn more and keep critical benefits — if they understand how the rules work together.

That’s where Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) comes in.
DB101 helps you:
✔️ Understand how SSI, SSDI, work, and health coverage interact
✔️ See how earning more may affect your benefits before you take a job or raise
✔️ Make informed decisions using clear, plain-language tools — not guesswork

The 2026 updates matter — but how you navigate them matters more.
DB101 turns policy changes into practical planning.

Learn more and explore your options:

Want to bring DB101 to your state? Reach out to [email protected].

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01/27/2026

The World Institute on Disability is conducting a research study focused on healthcare for people with disabilities, identifying the needs of patients and caregivers, and exploring possible technology-based solutions. Your assistance in completing this 5-10 minute confidential survey is appreciated as we work to improve the health and experiences of the 1.3 billion people with disabilities globally.

You can find the survey at (link below). We are looking for a broad range of input from anyone working in healthcare or healthcare related professions, people who provide healthcare services to people with disabilities and people who have disabilities. Please share broadly with your networks!

Disability Health Inclusion & AI Survey.

12/03/2025

We are proud to announce that Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) has been selected as a Zero Project Awardee 2026.

This year’s awards focus on Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response, and our innovative work has earned recognition among 163 outstanding solutions, selected from 586 hashtag nominations across 93 countries. We are proud to stand alongside organizations from every continent that are driving progress in disability inclusion.

Our initiative addresses the need to fill the gap when disability-led organizations are left out of funding and planningby connecting disability-led organizations actively responding to disasters with partners and resources, before, during, and after disasters. We look forward to the next stages: connecting with the global community, exchanging ideas, and learning from others.

We are honoured to see our work highlighted among global innovations that make a meaningful impact. As part of this recognition, we will present our innovation at the Zero Project Conference 2026, taking place from February 18-20 at the United Nations Office in Vienna. More than 1,000 participants from around 100 countries are expected to attend.

Discover more about our project here: https://wid.org/GADRA/

Learn more about the Zero Project Awardees 2026: zeroproject.org

12/03/2025

Join World Institute on Disability and Disability Justice Project this International Human Rights Day!

On December 10th at 11 AM Eastern US, we’re celebrating the brilliant work of the Global Heumann Fellowship 2024–2025 Cohort—a powerhouse group of emerging disability leaders pushing accessibility, justice, and innovation into the future.

From reimagining higher education to advancing disability-inclusive economic development to strengthening global human rights monitoring, our Fellows have been busy shaping what’s possible.

At this special showcase, you’ll get to experience:
1. Their original research
2. Their powerful documentary shorts
3. Their vision for a more inclusive world — in the spirit of Judy Heumann’s legacy

Join us, spread the word, and help celebrate work that doesn’t just inform—it moves the world forward.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RSM89NytQqqnvD8CWoCWnQ

12/03/2025

We’re excited to welcome Rachel Qualls to the World Institute on Disability team!

Rachel is an International Development graduate from Gallaudet University, DiDRR DEP-certified, and a passionate advocate for disability justice, equity, and inclusive responses to global climate change.

She brings a sharp global lens and a commitment to building bridges through inclusion and accessibility—values that align beautifully with WID’s mission.

We’re thrilled to have Rachel on board as she contributes her expertise, curiosity, and lived experience to support our work around the world.

Join us in giving her a warm welcome! 🎉