We Want to Participate: Guidelines for the Inclusion and Participation of Children with Disabilities

Children with disabilities are often excluded from participating in programme activities. This highlighting a critical gap in realizing their right to participation. To address this, Save the Children Norway and Save the Children Malawi initiated a cross-thematic project combining child rights governance, participation, and disability inclusion. Central to the effort was a child-led research approach, where a diverse steering committee of children aged 10–17, with and without disabilities, co-designed and conducted consultations with 172 children with disabilities, identifying key barriers and experiences related to participation. The findings revealed systemic and social challenges limiting inclusion, while also demonstrating the value of engaging children as active contributors in research and decision-making. The project produced unique, child-informed guidelines validated by stakeholders, offering practical recommendations for families, communities, governments, and organizations. These findings are significant as they provide evidence that inclusive, participatory approaches not only amplify children’s voices but also lead to more relevant and effective strategies to advance the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities.