This WISE report examines the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 school closures on children with disabilities, who were already among the most vulnerable learners. Conducted in 2021, the study gathered data from Ethiopia, Nepal, and Qatar to better understand the formal learning experiences of children with disabilities and their families during prolonged school closures.

The report emphasizes the importance of collecting disaggregated data, safeguarding both access to and the quality of education, and documenting the lived experiences of affected families. Key recommendations call for placing children with disabilities at the center of education reform efforts, recognizing schools as essential spaces for cognitive and socio-emotional development, equipping teachers to respond to diverse learning needs, leveraging both high-tech and low-tech solutions, and strengthening collaboration between home and school.

The findings reveal systemic gaps exposed by the pandemic and offer practical guidance for building more resilient and inclusive education systems that effectively serve all learners during times of crisis and beyond.