Disability Stigma Reduction: Learnings from Disability-Inclusive Programming

Disability stigma is a persistent barrier to the inclusion of people with disabilities, yet its impact is often overlooked in programming aimed at disability inclusion, and there is little evidence about disability stigma reduction interventions. Drawing on research from the Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme (2018–2026), this article outlines programme learning about disability stigma through the framework of different stigma types (social, structural, internalised, and stigma by association), as well as the role of intersectionality and stigma. Programme learning about how to reduce disability stigma when working on disability-inclusive programming highlights the importance of having a shared understanding of stigma to better guide interventions. More intentional planning for stigma reduction, as well as targeting the different types of disability stigma is key. It is also important to centre the experiences of people with disabilities. Changing the norms around ingrained forms of stigma requires a long-term sustained approach to stigma reduction.