CFAs: Partnerships for Integrated Cradle-to-Career Support for Children with Disabilities and Their Families (US)

Deadline: 11-Sep-2026

UNICEF is seeking global civil society organizations to co-develop and implement integrated support systems for children with disabilities and their families, with a particular focus on inclusive services, early intervention, assistive technology, and continuity of support from childhood through adulthood. Selected partners may contribute to one or both objectives: integrated cradle-to-career support and inclusive vision, hearing, and assistive technology services at scale. The opportunity aligns with UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) 2022–2030 and Strategic Plan 2026–2029. It is intended for organizations with relevant technical expertise, implementation experience, international and country presence, and capacity to co-invest; participation in the partnership process does not itself constitute a funding commitment. What Is the UNICEF Disability Inclusion Partnership Opportunity? The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking civil society partners to help strengthen disability-inclusive systems for children and families globally. The initiative responds to persistent gaps and fragmentation in services for children with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The proposed partnership model seeks to connect disability-specific services with mainstream systems such as: Limited continuity of support as children grow older. UNICEF’s approach recognizes that disability inclusion requires more than creating individual services. It requires strengthening national systems and connecting services across the life course. What Are the Two Main Objectives?

Partners can contribute to one or both objectives

Objective 1: Integrated Cradle-to-Career Support

The first objective focuses on developing integrated systems that support children with disabilities and their families from early childhood through adulthood and employment. The approach seeks to connect different sectors and services rather than operating them in isolation. Assistive technology includes products, services, systems, and related support that help people with disabilities perform activities and participate more fully in society. Partners may support governments and national stakeholders in assessing different approaches to disability-inclusive systems.

This can include:

Policy options. Implementation scenarios. Costing models. Resource requirements. Workforce requirements. Scale-up strategies. Strengthen Delivery Systems The initiative may support improvements in how services are organized and delivered. This includes strengthening the workforce required to provide disability-inclusive support. Improve Identification and Data Systems Administrative identification and data systems can help governments understand: How many children require support. Where services are needed. What types of assistance are required. Where service gaps exist. How children move through different services. Better data can support planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability. Strengthen Community and Peer Support Families and communities play an important role in supporting children with disabilities.

Partners may develop

Parent support networks. Peer-support mechanisms. Community-based care systems. Family information resources. Community referral mechanisms. Adapt Systems for Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings Disability services can be severely disrupted during conflicts, displacement, disasters, and other emergencies. Partners may therefore develop approaches that maintain disability-inclusive support in fragile, conflict-affected, and humanitarian settings. What Will Partners Working Under Objective 2 Do? Objective 2 focuses specifically on inclusive vision, hearing, and assistive technology services. Develop Integrated Assistive Technology Pathways Partners may help establish systems connecting children and families with appropriate assistive technology throughout the service process.

The pathway can include:

Identification. Assessment. Referral. Product selection. Provision. Fitting or customization. Training. Follow-up. Maintenance. Replacement. Assess Country Readiness Organizations may support assessments of national capacity to introduce or expand inclusive assistive technology services.

Readiness assessments can consider:

Policies. Financing. Workforce. Procurement. Service infrastructure. Supply chains. Product availability. Data systems. Regulatory frameworks. Support Scale-Up The initiative aims to move beyond isolated projects toward national or large-scale systems. Partners may help countries develop practical pathways for expanding assistive technology services sustainably. Build Local Product-Service Ecosystems Sustainable assistive technology requires more than purchasing products.

Partners may support local ecosystems involving

Service providers. Manufacturers. Suppliers. Health professionals. Rehabilitation specialists. Education systems. Families. Government agencies. Community organizations. Adapt Assistive Technology Services for Humanitarian Settings Assistive technology can be particularly difficult to access during emergencies. Partners may develop approaches that ensure children with disabilities are not excluded from humanitarian services and can continue receiving essential assistive products and support. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is aimed at global civil society organizations with relevant technical and operational capabilities. Experience working in low- and middle-income countries where relevant. Ability to adapt approaches to fragile and humanitarian contexts. Organizations may apply their expertise to Objective 1, Objective 2, or both. What Does Global Civil Society Partner Mean? The opportunity is not designed simply for organizations delivering a single local project. UNICEF is seeking partners capable of contributing to broader system strengthening and global public goods. This means partners should be able to help develop