Leading through Lived Experience
Reflections on building a more inclusive world for children with disabilities.
Read how UNICEF Ethiopia's Disability Inclusion Unit head, Elvis Lunderberg’s lived experience as a person with a disability informs his leadership in promoting inclusion for children with disabilities in Ethiopia.
As a person with a disability, my work at UNICEF Ethiopia is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. Leading the Disability Inclusion Unit, I bring my lived experience to advocate for children with disabilities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized. This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I reflect on my journey of driving change from within the UNICEF and UN system, guided by the principle of "Persons with Disabilities working for and with Persons with Disabilities." Together, we are reshaping futures for children with disabilities across Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, children with disabilities face overwhelming barriers to accessibility and inclusion on an equal basis with others. Despite progressive policies, systemic challenges result in exclusion from schools, healthcare, and protection systems. Stigma further compounds this exclusion, isolating children and their families within communities. Data on children with disabilities remains sparse, hindering effective planning and response. Humanitarian crises amplify these challenges, leaving children with disabilities disproportionately vulnerable.
As someone who has been dismantling these barriers in the best interests of children with disabilities, I understand their far-reaching impact. This experience has fuelled my commitment to addressing the inequities that marginalize children with disabilities, driving me to take action through my leadership at UNICEF Ethiopia.
As the head of UNICEF Ethiopia's Disability Inclusion Unit, I lead efforts to mainstream disability inclusion across programs and operations. Collaborating with government ministries, civil society organizations, and the private sector, I advocate for systemic change and accountability. Together with my team, we design and implement programmes that ensure children with disabilities can access education, healthcare, and social protection services on equal terms with others.
One of my proudest achievements has been embedding disability inclusion as a cross-cutting priority across UNICEF’s new strategic 5-year work framework, contributing to Ethiopia’s development priorities and ensuring no child with a disability is left behind. I also spearheaded capacity-building initiatives for UNICEF staff and partners, equipping them with the tools to deliver inclusive programming.
Our work is driven by inter-agency collaboration, including my role as co-chair of the UNCT LNOB and Disability Working Group, where we advocate for a disability-inclusive UN system. As the lead agency, UNICEF spearheads innovative practices, actions, and commitments to ensure disability inclusion.
Through partnerships and training, we are creating an environment where children with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but active participants in their communities.
The results of these efforts are transforming lives. Children with disabilities, now more than ever before, have greater access to inclusive schools and opportunities to learn alongside their peers. Healthcare facilities increasingly provide assistive technologies and rehabilitation services tailored to their needs. By integrating disability into emergency responses, UNICEF has ensured that children with disabilities are no longer invisible during crises.
Personally, my journey as a person with a disability leading this work has inspired others to see disability inclusion not as an afterthought but as a priority. By demonstrating that lived experience is a strength, I and my colleagues with disabilities have helped foster a culture of inclusion within UNICEF Ethiopia. This is not just a professional milestone but a testament to the power of leadership by persons with disabilities working for and with their communities.
Guided by UNICEF’s inclusiveness principles and being supported by a dedicated team, I am proud to lead by example, demonstrating the transformative impact of inclusive leadership. Together, we are building a future where every child, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and empowered.
