Racheal Inegbedion
Nigeria

Racheal Inegbedion is a passionate advocate for disability rights, a policy strategist, and a development leader with over a decade of experience in advancing inclusion and equity. As the founding director of the Special Needs Initiative for Growth (SNIG), Racheal dedicates her efforts to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities, with an end goal in employment and environmental sustainability. Her work centers on breaking barriers and building pathways to inclusion for individuals with disabilities through demand-driven ICT and Educational skills such as STEM and Robotics, employment programming and policies and environmental accessibility.

She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University of St. Andrews, where her research explored the intersection of environmental justice and disability. Racheal is also pursuing a PhD in Global Inclusion and Social Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston, focusing her research on evaluating policies that provide job services for individuals with disabilities.

Racheal Inegbedion also works at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) where she focuses on projects aimed at improving employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her role involves collecting and analyzing data, tracking how states fund IDD employment services, and helping create resources that influence policy at the federal and state levels. She also develops media that highlights successful employment stories, promoting inclusive job practices. Through her contributions, Racheal helps break down barriers, support policy reform, and encourage better employment outcomes for people with IDD across different communities in the United States.

Her impactful work has earned her international recognition. Racheal is an Ashoka Young Changemaker and an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Her contributions to inclusive education and employment have been commended by the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Racheal also serves as the International Engagement Committee Chair on the board of the World Institute on Disability (WID), where she collaborates with global advocates to advance disability rights.

Also, Racheal plays a pivotal role in environmental advocacy. She is a member of the Climate Adaptation Forum Steering Committee, contributing to critical discussions on climate resilience. This forum, a collaboration between the Environmental Business Council of New England and the Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston, focuses on addressing climate challenges and fostering sustainable solutions.

Racheal’s mission is to shape global policies that ensure employment equity and strengthen environmental resilience for people with disabilities. She leverages technology, research, and advocacy to drive transformative change. Her work integrates disability inclusion and sustainability, aiming to build a fairer, more adaptable world.

Through her writing and public engagement, Racheal shares insights on disability rights, employment policies, and environmental justice. She highlights research findings, policy advancements, and real-life examples of inclusive practices, inspiring others to join her mission to create meaningful change and improve lives globally.