A message from Craig Baker, President of Mobility Trust
Each year on December 3, the world comes together to recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD)—a moment to honor the 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide and to recommit ourselves to building societies that are equitable, accessible, and inclusive.
In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on a theme that deeply resonates with our mission at Mobility Trust: inclusive health financing. This theme underscores a simple truth—when financial systems don’t consider the needs of people with disabilities, access to essential care, equipment, and mobility becomes out of reach. And when that happens, individuals, families, and entire communities feel the impact.
For many people with disabilities, daily life is shaped by the need for accessible transportation, medical equipment, home modifications, or ongoing care. Yet too often, these essential supports are either inadequately covered or not financed at all.
This leads to:
Catastrophic out-of-pocket costs for basic needs
Delayed or forgone treatment because insurance doesn’t cover what’s required
Financial instability for families trying to support a loved one
Reduced mobility and participation, limiting work, community engagement, and independence
When financing systems fail to account for accessibility and affordability, people are forced to choose between their health and financial security. That is a choice no one should ever have to make.
Designing financing systems with disability inclusion at the center is not just the right thing to do—it's transformative. Countries that implement inclusive health financing see measurable improvements across their health systems, because considerations like equity, accessibility, and affordability benefit everyone, not only those with disabilities.
Inclusive financing contributes to:
Stronger, more resilient health systems
Improved health outcomes across the population
Greater economic participation
Reduced poverty and vulnerability
Stronger families and communities
By ensuring that essential services and equipment are accessible financially—not just physically—we build a foundation for thriving, inclusive societies.
At Mobility Trust, we witness firsthand the power of inclusive financing.
When individuals can access wheelchair-accessible vehicles, adaptive equipment, or home modifications without financial harm, their world expands. They can get to work, attend medical appointments, connect with their communities, and live more independently. They gain control over their lives, their mobility, and their futures.
We also see the strain when financing systems fall short. Families making impossible choices. Individuals delaying essential modifications or equipment. Caregivers taking on overwhelming financial burdens. These barriers are preventable—and solvable.
That is why our work matters.
And it’s why, today, this global theme resonates so deeply with us.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reaffirm Mobility Trust’s commitment to:
Expanding financial access for people with disabilities
Advocating for inclusive, equitable financing policies
Educating our partners about the economic and social benefits of disability-inclusive systems
Empowering individuals and families through responsible, accessible financial solutions
Everyone deserves the dignity of safe transportation, accessible homes, and the equipment necessary to support their health and independence. Inclusive financing is a crucial pathway to making that a reality.
As we reflect on IDPWD 2025, we recognize both the progress made and the work ahead. But we remain optimistic—because every day, we see what is possible when barriers are removed and equity is prioritized.
When we design financing systems that include people with disabilities, we create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities for everyone.
Thank you for joining us in advancing this mission.
Craig Baker
President, Mobility Trust