Results of Disability Reference Group survey, June 2025

“Many of the gains that were achieved in the last five years will be lost”

“… relegating persons with disabilities to the periphery”

In June 2025, in response to funding cuts and policy changes, particularly affecting diversity, equity and inclusion- related work, the Disability Reference Group (DRG) conducted a survey of members to understand initial impacts of the cuts on disability inclusion efforts in humanitarian action.

An overwhelming 75% of respondents stated that their work on disability inclusion was already being impacted by funding cuts and policy shifts; and the majority of respondents anticipated that this would result in more limited access by persons with disabilities to basic- often lifesaving- assistance. Nearly all respondents (95%) stated that activities to remove barriers to access to humanitarian assistance have been impacted, and more than half are already experiencing cuts in staffing for disability inclusion.