Rewriting the Code: Digital Tools Are Opening Doors for People with Disabilities

In Belarus, UNDP-supported initiatives are turning barriers into opportunities through 3D printing and animation.

November 6, 2025

Person with ponytail at a desk, using a computer with design software on screen; calendar on wall. — Photo: UNDP Belarus

Despite global efforts to build an accessible, inclusive under the principle of Leaving No One Behind, people with disabilities still face barriers to meaningful employment. Worldwide, they are twice as likely to be excluded from education and work.

In Belarus, where overall unemployment is about 3.5%, the rate among people with disabilities is 16.5% — nearly five times higher.

Addressing this disparity requires more than policy reform. It demands targeted interventions that equip people with relevant, modern skills. As the UN’s Disability and Development Report 2024 underscores, integrating people with disabilities into the digital economy is crucial to reducing inequality and unlocking their potential.

In Belarus, this vision is taking shape. Two pilot SDG initiatives, implemented by regional public organisations in partnership with local authorities and supported by UNDP, are creating inclusive learning spaces that provide people with disabilities with digital skills and creative tools — opening up pathways to economic independence and social inclusion.

3D Printing a New Future in Luninets

Photo of students at desks with computers and headphones in a classroom; wheelchair user in front. — Photo: UNDP Belarus

In the town of Luninets, Brest Region, the challenge is clear. Of the 1,500 working-age people with disabilities in the district, only 514 are employed – leaving nearly two-thirds without work or prospects.

"This means a large number of people can't realize their potential," says Elena Lavrenchuk, coordinator of the Technologies Takeoff initiative.

For Marina Rudenko, the initiative was a turning point.

"When this project came along, it felt like such a brilliant opportunity – I didn't even hesitate," says Marina.

Marina Rudenko, one of the participants.

Photo: UNDP Belarus

With UNDP support, the initiative provided specialized training and set up a classroom equipped for learning and practicing 3D‑printing technologies. Here, participants like Marina bring their ideas to life.

"It’s a fascinating process," Marina explains. "You start with what seems like nothing, just a spool of plastic filament. And after a couple of hours, you have a finished product you can actually admire."

For many, these new skills are more than a hobby — they are a gateway to self-employment and additional income. Participants design and sell custom-made products, ranging from assistive devices such as adaptive grips and key turners to decorative items.

"It’s definitely a new opportunity for learning and growth," Marina adds. "My chances of employment have increased. 3D printing is a modern, promising field. The project is helping us keep up with the times."

The initiative reflects UNDP’s broader push for digital inclusion. Globally, 3D printing is expanding access to assistive technology, enabling custom prosthetics and adaptive tools at a fraction of the traditional cost. In Belarus’ smaller towns, where employment opportunities for people with disabilities are limited, such efforts also reduce isolation by building communities around shared learning.

Animating Dreams in Grodno

Photo: Group of kids around a table playing a board game; a girl in a wheelchair sits on the left. — Photo: UNDP Belarus

In Grodno, digital creativity takes a different form. The UNDP-supported Anim@rt initiative teaches young people with intellectual disabilities how to produce animated videos, providing a space for learning and creative expression.

“This is an unusual place — it’s inclusive,” says Karyna Nasytko, one of the 12 students. “It helps people with disabilities realise their potential. Some may even go on to become bloggers.”

Beyond technical skills, students improve teamwork and build connections.

"Our studio helps with socialization," notes volunteer Elena Kondratova. "Here, they bond over shared interests and collaborate to produce videos on social issues, from child protection and inclusion to environmental awareness. Looking ahead, the group plans to create social adverts for local organisations and businesses."

Karyna Nasytko: "You put a part of yourself into it."

Photo: UNDP in Belarus

The process itself is empowering.

"Usually, if a process is long, it becomes boring, but with animation it's completely different – it's very engaging," shares Karyna.

A More Inclusive Future

From 3D‑printed prototypes in Luninets to animated films in Grodno, these initiatives are doing more than teaching skills – they are rewriting assumptions about who can participate in the digital economy. The question is whether such pilot projects can be scaled, transforming not just individual lives but also perceptions that have long excluded people with disabilities from economic life.

In an era of rapid technological change, Belarus’ story suggests that the tools for inclusion already exist. What remains is the will to deploy them widely.

The pilot SDG initiatives are implemented with the support of UNDP in Belarus under the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in the Nationalization and Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals”.