Starkey has partnered with UNICEF in the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund, a new fund to deliver quality and timely interventions to help improve the lives of children with disabilities worldwide.
As the inaugural partner, Starkey is helping UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) accelerate disability programming and results, empowering children and young people with disabilities to realise their full potential.
With Starkey’s support, the fund will focus on early screening and identification plus expanding access to disability support services and assistive technology.
“With Starkey’s support as the premier donor, UNICEF has launched this critical fund to transform the lives of children and young people with disabilities through resources, support and opportunities to overcome barriers and create more equitable communities,” Starkey said in a press release on 10 July 2025.
It said the partnership underscored its long-standing culture of caring and its global corporate social responsibility program, Starkey Cares, which is committed to bringing better hearing to communities in need.
“We are honoured to be the first corporate partner of the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund,” said Mr Brandon Sawalich, president and CEO of Starkey.
“At Starkey, we believe in a world where everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential,” he said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world – a world where hearing health isn’t a barrier, it’s a bridge to connection.”
The UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund was established to drive systemic change and ensure children with disabilities are not left behind. Starkey said this passion was shared by Starkey’s chairman and co-chair, Mr Bill Austin and Mrs Tani Austin who have dedicated their lives to providing hearing healthcare access to underserved communities and people in need.
Through Starkey Cares, Starkey has impacted millions of lives across the globe by providing hearing health care services and hearing aids to underserved populations. Starkey’s partnership with UNICEF builds on this legacy by expanding support to broader disability inclusion efforts.
Mr Michael Nyenhuis, president and CEO of UNICEF USA said Starkey’s leadership and compassion would help transform lives on a global scale.
“With Starkey’s support, the UNICEF Children with Disabilities Fund can deliver upon its critical mission to give every child – including those with disabilities – the opportunity to thrive,” he said.
UNICEF said nearly 240 million children worldwide have some form of disability.
Click here for more information about Starkey in support of UNICEF.
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