COVID-19 has exacerbated inequality for people with disabilities around the world. They are struggling to access health care, are more exposed to the virus, and have disproportionately felt the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

As the world begins to recover, South African activist Eddie Ndopu wants to ensure people with disabilities aren’t left behind.

Ndopu’s mother was told he wouldn’t survive past the age of 7 when he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Now 30, he’s a United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals Advocate who has worked closely with Amnesty International and the World Economic Forum.

Ndopu is joining Global Citizen in supporting the Recovery Plan for the World to advance equity for all in the wake of the pandemic. He’s also seeking to join forces with the UN, world leaders, and the private sector to establish the Global Access Fund with the goal of mobilizing at least $1 billion to boost existing initiatives in countries around advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Decade of Action to achieve the Global Goals by 2030.

People with disabilities are often left out of international development budgets and there isn’t currently a global coalition that is focused on addressing the challenges people with disabilities face.

Global Citizen spoke with Ndopu about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting people with disabilities, the importance of the Global Access Fund, and more.

Read the full article about ensuring a better world for people with disabilities by Leah Rodriguez at Global Citizen.