Disability Inclusion and Innovation for Clean Energy Access: Embracing Co-Design and Collaboration
What happens when key stakeholders for inclusive clean energy access delivery, who have never met, are brought into the same room? That is exactly what we set out to explore in Nairobi through a workshop hosted by the Transforming Energy Access Disability Support Service (DSS).
In April 2026, the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform convened 40 members in Nairobi, Kenya, including people with disabilities, representatives from organisations of persons with disabilities n(OPDs), Transforming Energy Access partners, and disability innovators for a hands-on workshop titled ‘Co-Designing Disability-Inclusive Energy Access’. Designed and delivered by the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub, London, with Senses Hub, Nairobi, as the local engagement partner, a series of interactive sessions explored key needs, barriers, and opportunities to maximise the impact of the clean energy transition for people with disabilities.
Paving the Way for Disability-Inclusive Energy Access
Transforming Energy Access Platform’s (TEA) Disability Support Service: One year in review
Nearly a year ago, the Transforming Energy Access platform (TEA), supported through UK aid from the UK government and led by the Carbon Trust, developed the Disability Support Service (DSS) in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), to tackle these unique challenges. The DSS represents TEA’s commitment to addressing the needs and rights of people with disabilities, aligned with the UK FCDO’s Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy 2030 and broader inclusive climate transition goals.
TEA Disability Training
The TEA Disability Inclusion and Innovation for Energy Access training series provides TEA partners with knowledge on the unique barriers, needs, and opportunities for disability-inclusive energy access. It also offers practical guidance for delivering targeted disability inclusion strategies as part of their GEDSI actions.
Opportunities for Disability-inclusive Energy Access
Globally, 1 in 6 people experience disability (16%), 80% of whom live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Disability occurs when people with impairments lose the opportunity for equal participation in society because of social and environmental barriers. In the context of climate change, disability can be a cause and consequence of energy poverty, as households of people with disabilities in LMICs are commonly larger, poorer, and in rural areas, where they may require more heating or cooling.
This White Paper titled ‘Opportunities for Disability-inclusive Energy Access’ underscores the need for inclusive energy transition measures to prevent socio-economic exclusion and discrimination, particularly among people with disabilities. This also outlines opportunities for powering assistive technology with clean energy and creating accessible clean energy solutions across eight sectors, including 1) home appliances and information and communication technologies (ICTs); 2) built environment and cities; 3) transportation; 4) healthcare; 5) education; 6) green jobs; 7) humanitarian sector and reconstruction; and 8) energy infrastructure.
This will serve as a reference for energy access innovators, practitioners, and policymakers to identify potential entry points for their contribution to disability-inclusive energy transition.
Integrating Disability in Energy Transition GESI Strategies
Disability is diverse, encompassing physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Likewise, the experiences of people with disabilities—and the barriers they encounter when trying to access or benefit from material, financial, or social opportunities—vary greatly. Just as diverse are the ways in which these barriers can be removed. Hence, an explicit focus on disability is key to delivering an inclusive energy transition that leaves no one behind.
This Briefing Note sets the context, rationale, and recommendations for strategically integrating disability inclusion and accessibility in energy transition, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) programming and delivery. Particularly, this frames a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach for the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and partners and presents eleven recommendations for action.
