Global situation of people with disabilities

Disability and Poverty

Global disability data and statistics

Key figures:• 15% world population• 80% live in developing countries• Levels of HIV/AIDS equal to or higher than the rest of the

population yet large exclusion from services against HIV/ AIDS

• 150 millions children living with a disability, less likely to attend school and have lower rates of staying and being promoted in schools

• Approximately 20 million women become disabled each year as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbirth

Global trends and evolutions

• The number of people with disabilities is increasing (increased life expectancy, increasing chronic diseases, environmental factors)

• Significant inequalities (Poor people, women, and old people are more likely to experience disability than others); people with disabilities are not a homogenous group– Example: Those most excluded from the labour market are

often those with mental health difficulties or intellectual impairments.

Links between disability and poverty

Main links between poverty and disability

• Dangerous and unhealthy living conditions• The absence or inaccessibility of timely and

adequate medical care or rehabilitation• Limited access to education and employment• Social exclusion

The cost of excluding people with disabilities

• Individuel level: direct costs for treatment or rehabilitation, foregone income

• Family/ community level: Household members spend time and money taking care of their family member who needs personal assistance

• Global level: the World Bank estimated the global GDP loss due to disability from $1.71 trillion to $2.23 trillion annually

Why is it necessary to take disability into account in development?

Demographic arguments : 15% world population = people

with disabilities

Social development arguments: Inequalities need to be

addressed for development to be sustainable

Economic argument: financial cost of exclusion

Legal argument : Disability rights = human rights

What do people with disabilities want?

Hearing directly from people with disabilities about their lives is vital to good research and effective policy or action.

It is therefore essential to consult people with disabilities directly or through their representative organizations

"What's disability to me" - series of videos:http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/videos/en/index.html

Key messages• People with disabilities account for approximately 15%

of the world population, i.e. more than 1 billion people.

• 80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries.

• There is a strong link between disability and poverty• Any effort to reduce and eliminate poverty can only be

effective if takes people with disabilities into account, who are among the most vulnerable groups.

• It is important to consult with people with disabilities directly to understand their situation and better meet their priorities.