Mapping of Online Humanitarian Platforms on Accessibility and Disability-Inclusive Content

Our project commissioned a mapping to analyse existing humanitarian information and resource-sharing websites. The study assessed the websites’ accessibility and the type of disability-inclusive content they offer. The study examined 12 major humanitarian platforms, identifying gaps and proposing practical solutions to improve accessibility and the availability of disability-inclusive resources.

Humanitarian actors rely on comprehensive, structured and easily accessible and inter-agency specific information and resource sharing platforms in humanitarian response, like humanitarianresponse.info and reliefweb.int, or sector-specific sites maintained by global clusters. For disability-inclusive humanitarian action, however, there is not such one central accessible platform to access specific tools, guidelines, case studies, good practices, and other resources. The findings of this report will contribute to ongoing efforts to bridge this gap.

Key findings

Availability of Information on Persons with Disabilities in Cluster Platforms 

Some platforms, such as the Nutrition and Shelter Clusters, include resources or data related to persons with disabilities, often through active technical working groups. However, most clusters lack structured systems to ensure visibility for disability-inclusive humanitarian response. This results in fragmented access, reliance on informal tools, and missed opportunities to improve response quality through better integration of disability data and guidance. 

Twin-Track Approach to Strengthening Resource Platforms on Disability-Inclusive Humanitarian Action 

As part of a twin-track approach to improve access to disability-inclusive humanitarian resources, both the development of a dedicated disability resource hub and the systematic integration of disability-related materials across existing platforms is recommended. Additionally, disability-inclusive resources should be more prominently integrated and easier to locate in existing platforms.

Results of Accessibility Assessment

Among the 12 analyzed platforms there existed disparities in accessibility. Five platforms demonstrated strong accessibility support, while three had moderate accessibility, and four indicated major barriers. These require urgent improvements in accessibility features such as keyboard interactivity and colour contrast. The findings highlight the need for targeted improvements, particularly in predictability, input method flexibility, and structured content presentation to enhance digital inclusion.

Methodology Used

All findings are based on data collected during the second half of 2024. The study used a multi-phase methodology:

• Accessibility assessment of selected 12 humanitarian websites against WCAG 2.2 standards;
• Desk review of key humanitarian platforms across major clusters;
• Survey of 79 humanitarian professionals on platform use and accessibility;
• In-depth interviews with a diverse group of individuals, primarily persons with disabilities, including staff of humanitarian organisations and representatives of national and local OPDs in Somalia, Cameroon, and South Sudan.

Full Report

• For more details, the Mapping report is available here.

Project information

The study was commissioned as part of the Phase 3-Leave no one behind! project. Phase 3-LNOB was jointly Handicap International e.V./ Humanity & Inclusion (HI) in partnership with CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V. and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) of Ruhr-University Bochum.