About EnablePK

The ENABLE project is an ambitious, UK-Pakistan partnership dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in higher education. Funded by the British Council under its Disability Inclusion Partnerships scheme, ENABLE addresses the deeply rooted and often overlooked barriers that prevent disabled students in Pakistan from fully participating in academic life.

Why ENABLE?

Although policies promoting inclusion exist, their implementation is often fragmented and inconsistent. Many universities lack accessible infrastructure, assistive technologies, specialised academic support services, and above all, awareness and understanding of the lived realities of disabled students. Social stigma, marginalisation, and emotional distress further contribute to the isolation of disabled individuals in higher education. ENABLE is our collective response to this systemic neglect designed not as a one-off intervention, but as a catalyst for sustainable change.

Our Objectives

ENABLE aims to transform institutional culture and practices through a structured, evidence-driven, and inclusive approach. Our key objectives are:

• Raise Awareness and Build Capacity
  We will conduct disability inclusion training for academic staff, administrative personnel, and students across participating institutions. These sessions will not only dismantle harmful stereotypes but also foster empathy, allyship, and an inclusive mindset within the academic community.

• Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  We will carry out surveys, interviews, and focus groups with disabled students and stakeholders to identify the structural, emotional, and academic barriers they face. This data will be disaggregated by disability type, gender, socioeconomic background, and other intersecting factors to ensure nuanced insights.

• Strengthen Mental Health and Peer Support
  ENABLE will initiate peer-led support programs and mental health resources, with a special focus on self-esteem, social belonging, and suicide prevention. These interventions are critical to ensuring that inclusion is not only structural but also emotional and psychological.

• Develop Institutional Policy Recommendations
  Drawing from our research and engagement activities, we will develop practical and scalable policy guidance for higher education institutions. These recommendations will help embed disability inclusion into institutional frameworks and decision-making processes.

Our Impact

ENABLE is designed to generate both immediate and long-term impact at multiple levels:

• For Disabled Students
  Direct beneficiaries will include hundreds of disabled students who will gain access to safer, more inclusive learning environments, mental health support, and platforms for leadership and participation. By the end of the project, students will be better informed, better supported, and better represented.

• For Higher Education Institutions
  ENABLE will help universities understand and address accessibility barriers, not just physical but also digital, emotional, and attitudinal. Participating institutions will be equipped with tools, training materials, and policy frameworks to carry forward the momentum of change beyond the project’s duration.

• For Policy and System Reform
  ENABLE’s findings will inform national-level policy discussions on inclusion and equity in education. The policy briefs and academic outputs generated through the project will contribute to broader conversations about disability rights, inclusive education, and social justice in Pakistan.

• For Cross-Institutional Collaboration
  ENABLE is not just a project, it is a platform. Through collaboration between universities in the UK and Pakistan, the project creates opportunities for shared learning, mutual capacity building, and the creation of a sustainable network focused on disability inclusion in education.

Our Partners

ENABLE is led by the University College of Estate Management (UK) in partnership with:

• International Islamic University Islamabad

• Dow International Dental College (DUHS), Karachi

• University of Plymouth (UK)

We are also supported by associate partners:

• Quaid-i-Azam University

• Fatima Jinnah Women University

• Northumbria University

This cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural collaboration unites academics from fields such as sociology, anthropology, pharmacology, education, architecture, and construction management, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling disability exclusion.

A Path Forward

ENABLE is not just about meeting accessibility targets, it is about empowering individuals. It is about recognising that students with disabilities are not merely passive recipients of services, but agents of change who must be central to shaping their academic environments.

Through research, advocacy, and action, ENABLE aims to pave the way for a future where disability inclusion is not a peripheral concern, but a core value within Pakistan’s higher education landscape.

We welcome you to follow our journey, explore our resources, and join us in building a more accessible, equitable, and inclusive academic future.