Disability research

In recent years, there has been an increased national and international interest in the situation of people with disabilities. As a result, academic researchers, governments and national statistical offices have a growing understanding of the importance of data collection on disability. However, despite the recent advances of disability research and studies to further the essential evidence base for policy and programming, disability data continues to remain scarce and fragmented globally which indicates an ongoing need for more systematic data collection and research.

Statistics on disability are essential tools in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes for promoting the rights of people with disabilities. The analysis of disability data is also critical for determining the prevalence of disability in a population, identifying the needs and characteristics of people with disabilities, and examining the impact of policies and programmes.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) emphasizes the continued need for reliable and comparable data on people with disabilities through Article 31. This article requires that governments collect appropriate statistics to facilitate the monitoring of the CRPD and the development and implementation of national policies and programmes promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Nevertheless, disability research is not limited to quantitative data collection and statistics. Indeed, this discipline promotes an interdisciplinary approach and broadens the scope of research areas by ensuring a multidimensional understanding of disability.

This keylist provides introductory resources and useful reference tools and manuals about disability research and statistics. Examples of both quantitative and qualitative research are highlighted through recent global, regional and country level research. We welcome your feedback: please send comments or suggested additions to sourceassistant@hi-uk.org.

Selected resources

General resources

'Emancipatory’ disability research and special educational needs

BARNES, Colin
SHELDON, Alison
English
2007

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This chapter describes the emergence of a radical new approach to researching disability and highlights both its potential and the challenges it poses for research in 'special' education
Chapter 17 in Florian L. (ed.) 2007: The Sage Handbook of Special Education, London: Sage, pp. 233-246

An ethical agenda in disability research : rhetoric or reality?

BARNES, Colin
English
2008

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This chapter reviews "key issues in the emergence of emancipatory disability research with particular reference to the British literature. It begins with a brief discussion of research ethics in relation to the emergent critique of traditional ways of researching disability, particularly its theoretical standpoint and the disempowering role of research experts. Second, attention centres on the key features of ethical or emancipatory disability research in line with a social model framework. This stresses an avowed commitment to the empowerment of disabled people through a process of political and social change while also informing the process of doing disability research. The third section addresses claims that the emphasis on political partiality deflects attention away from important debates about the choice of methodology and data collection strategies, and their implementation when undertaking disability research"
Note: This is the penultimate draft of an article that appears in: Mertens, D. M. and Ginsberg P. E.(eds.) 2008: The Handbook of Social Research Ethics, London: Sage, pp. 458-473

Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and optional protocol

AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
English
December 2006

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The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledges their rights to education, health, work and more. It provides a platform for action and activitism on inclusion and equity in countries which ratify and strive to implement it

International norms and standards relating to disability

UNITED NATIONS
English
2003

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This resource provides concise analytical information on international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities that have been adopted under the auspices of the United Nations system or other inter-governmental bodies and organisations. It is a reference tool that contains information resources on the international and regional normative standards to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in society within a broad human rights framework, encompassing the full range of human rights from civil and political to economic, social and cultural rights and the different mechanisms by which these norms and standards have been adopted in to local laws.
Further, this resource is a practical guide to putting into practice rights on behalf of persons with disabilities. It also provides an educational tool designed to help identify effective measures to promote, protect and integrate the rights of persons with disabilities into all areas of national legislation, policies and programmes and to promote increased awareness of internationally accepted norms on: the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities; the full and effective integration of persons with disabilities in social life and development; and standards to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. It will be useful for: governments; national and international policy makers; inter-governmental, international and non-governmental organisations; researchers in the area of disability rights; civil society organisations concerned with disability issues and the global disability community

Practice note : collecting and using data on disability to inform inclusive development

BUSH, Asahel
CARROLL, Aleisha
JAMES, Kathryn
English
July 2015

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This Practice Note provides guidance and tools for the collection and use of data and evidence on disability at a program level, to inform inclusive development practice and outcomes. It includes sections on why to collect information about disability; how to make mainstream data collection processes disability inclusive; planning for data collection throughout the project cycle; and methods and tools for collection of data to support disability inclusion

The document is the result of a collaboration between Plan International and the CBM Australia-Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development. It was prepared in the context of growing interest among international development agencies in the disability inclusive practice, and the collection of evidence to underpin this. It draws on some of the experiences and learning arising from Plan’s work to strengthen disability inclusion within its development programs and the CBM-Nossal Partnership’s work to strengthen disability inclusion within the Australian development sector

The emerging field of disabilities studies : a view from Britain

OLIVER, Mike
BARTON, Lee
English
October 2000

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This paper explores the emerging field of disabilities studies from a view point from Britain. It outlines tensions within the field from both within the academy and those between disability studies and disabled people, and explores potential and possibilities for disability studies “"Disability Studies : a global perspective"
Washington DC, USA
October 2000

Disability definition and tools

Briefing note on the collection and dissemination of disability statistics

UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS STATISTICS DIVISION, DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL STATISTICS BRANCH
English
August 2004

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The first two sections of this briefing note highlight the importance of disability data collection and dissemination, and describe the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. The third section contains international recommendations and a framework for the collection, dissemination and measurement of disability data. The final section presents training workshops on the methodology, collection and analysis of data on disability organized by the United Nations Statistics Division to improve national capacity. This resource would be useful for those who work with disability data and statistics

Comparing disability questions for censuses and surveys in Asia and the Pacific

SMIT, Jan
LIU, Wei
English
February 2007

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“"This paper compares the construct and predictive validity of a set of disability questions tested on a sample of respondents in five Asia-Pacific countries. It finds that the construct validity of the Washington Group questions for the seeing, hearing, mobility and self care domains is good when WHO questions for the corresponding domains are used as a benchmark; this does not, however, apply to the questions for the cognition and communication domains. The Washington Group questions perform similar to corresponding WHO questions in terms of predictive validity. For the four models examined - explaining difficulty with household responsibilities, work and school, and joining community activities, as well as employment status - the different question sets perform similar in terms of significance and magnitude of the odds ratios"

Disability and development: is the rights model of disability valid in the Arab region? An evidence-based field survey in Lebanon and Jordan

NAGATA, Kozue Kay
English
2008

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This paper reviews the process and outcome of constructing a "rights model of disability" which is culturally specific to Jordan and Lebanon. The objective of the empirical part was, to survey the current level of attitudes of non-disabled people towards their disabled fellows in Jordan, and to compare the attitudes of Lebanon's university students towards five different categories of disabled people (mentally disabled people, psycho-socially disabled people, physically disabled people, hearing impaired people and visually impaired people) to highlight the variations and diversity among them. It also examined the relationship between the attitudes and various demographic and social characteristics of the respondents. The set of findings was further tested and triangulated through meta-analysis of individual views expressed in the qualitative studies.

In Jordan, the attitude of 191 randomly selected non-disabled people was studied, using a Scale of Attitudes towards Disabled Persons (SADP). The participants from 4 communities of Jordan, exhibited overall negative attitudes towards disabled people. Socio-economic-demographic characteristics showed almost no difference regarding their attitudes towards disabled people.

In Lebanon, a more complex scale, composed of four sub-scales, namely a, "Baseline Survey of Student Attitudes towards People with a Disability" was used, to survey 94 university students' attitudes towards five different categories of disabled people, and a set of indices for future comparison was constructed. The results indicated the same pattern of gradations of attitude differences (found in other countries) towards persons with physical or sensory impairments (better), intellectual impairment (middle) and mental illness (worse). The main findings of this empirical field research showed particularly negative public attitudes towards people with intellectual impairment and mental illness in Lebanon.

Finally, the validity of the proposed rights model of disability and the empirical findings of this study, were further examined and co-validated through analysis of the collective views of those who took part in the questionnaire surveys and the participatory focus group discussions, which took place in Lebanon in 2005 and 2007, and in Jordan in 2005, as well as a series of intensive on-line and/or telephone interviews of a few informants comprising of disabled persons and experts. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 19, No 1

International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF)

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
English
2001

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"The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, known more commonly as ICF, is a classification of health and health-related domains. These domains are classified from body, individual and societal perspectives by means of two lists: a list of body functions and structure, and a list of domains of activity and participation. Since an individual’s functioning and disability occurs in a context, the ICF also includes a list of environmental factors. The ICF is WHO's framework for measuring health and disability at both individual and population levels"

Quebec classification : disability creation process

FOUGEYROLLAS, Patrick
English
et al
1999

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This book presents 'an explanatory model for the causes and consequences of disease, trauma and other disruptions to a person's integrity and development'. It approaches the challenge of creating a classification system from a perspective of social change, human rights and equal opportunities. Specific issues addressed in the book include: the person-environment interaction; positive concepts; disability as the situational result of social participation; extrinsic and intrinsic distinction (or environmental/situational versus personal dimensions); the ethics of applying the classification system in different situations

Testing a disability schedule for census 2011 : summary report on 26 focus groups

SCHNEIDER, Margie
COUPER, Jacqui
English
February 2007

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“"This study uses a series of 26 focus groups to examine the nature of responses to a proposed set of questions developed by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics for use in Censuses. The South African study is aimed at testing these questions with the specific view of using them in the Census 2011. These questions consist of six core questions relating to difficulties people have in doing a series of activities including seeing, hearing, walking and climbing stairs, remembering and concentrating, self-care and communicating. The South African set of questions included a further question on difficulties people have in participating in community activities like anyone else"

Understanding and interpreting disability as measured using the WG short set of questions

WASHINGTON GROUP ON DISABILITY STATISTICS (WG)
English
2009

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This report presents information about understanding and interpreting disability as measured using the Washington group (WG)’s short set of questions. The six questions are for use in censuses and surveys according to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and are consistent with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). The questions produce internationally comparable data on disability by identifying the majority of persons in the population who are at greater risk than the general population of experiencing limited or restricted participation in society. The questions cover six functional domains or basic actions: seeing, hearing, walking, cognition, self-care, and communication. This resource is useful to anyone interested in measuring disability

Understanding disability and the importance of design for all

BARNES, Colin
English
2011

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This paper addresses "recent debates surrounding the nature and cause of the complex process of disablement and their relevance to understanding calls for a universally accessible physical and cultural environment"
Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, Vol 1, No 1

Washington group on disability statistics

NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS
English

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"The Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) is a United Nations (UN) City Group commissioned to improve the quality and international comparability of disability measurement in Censuses and surveys." This website provides the WG's background, objectives, meetings, documents, and short set of questions. This website is useful to anyone interested in disability and statistics

Washington group on disability statistics : short set of questions

NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS
English

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This section of the Washington Group's website provides the internationally comparable short set of questions on disability for use on national censuses for gathering information about limitations in basic activities in national populations. The related protocols for implementing tests of the short set are also provided. This resource is useful for anyone interested in disability and statisitics

Examples of research areas in disability research

Applied research on disability in Africa : general mapping

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION OF APPLIED DISABILITY RESEARCH (FIRAH)
English
2014

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“The goal of this literary review is to report on existing knowledge about applied research on the African continent, regarding the living conditions of people with disabilities, poverty, violence and sexual abuse especially regarding children and women with disabilities, community-based rehabilitation and employment”

Counting the invisible : understanding the lives of people with disabilities in Pakistan

SINGAL, Nidhi
BHATTI, Feyza
MAILK, Rabea
English
2009

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This paper discusses "the conceptual underpinnings and findings of a household survey conducted in two regions of Pakistan which attempted to address some of these gaps in existing knowledge....The findings of this survey emphasize the continued marginalization of young people with disabilities in the areas of education, employment and marriage prospects. Additionally, reflections on the research process highlight the many challenges entailed in undertaking research on disability issues"
RECOUP Working Paper No 23

Disability and poverty : a survey of World Bank poverty assessments and implications

BRAITHWAITE, Jeanine
MONT, Daniel
English
February 2008

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"This discussion paper reviews the World Bank poverty assessment literature on the relationship between disability and poverty. The paper found that using standard assumptions about the distribution of household consumption among household members and the typical way that poverty lines are set in World Bank poverty assessments was not as significant as common sense and anecdotal evidence would suggest"
Social Paper Discussion Paper No 0805

Disability and poverty in developing countries : a snapshot from the World Health Survey

MITRA, Sophie
POSARAC, Aleksandra
VICK, Brandon
English
April 2011

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This paper outlines the economic and poverty situation of working-age persons with disabilities and their households in 15 developing countries. Using data from the World Health Survey, the study presents estimates of disability prevalence, individual-level economic well-being, household-level economic well-being, and multidimensional poverty measure. Detailed appendices are provided to support the results of the study. This paper is useful for people interested in the social and economic conditions of people with disabilities in developing countries
Social Protection Discussion Paper No 1109

Disability, poverty, and schooling in developing countries : results from 14 household surveys

FILMER, Deon
English
November 2005

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This paper analyses the correlations between a young person’s disability, the economic status of their household, and their school participation. The survey was conducted using 11 household surveys in nine developing countries. The results show that some youth with disabilities live in poorer households, but the extent is not statistically significant. However, young people with disabilities are often less likely to start school and show lower transition rates. This finding suggests that, in developing countries, disability may lead to long-run poverty since youth with disabilities are less likely to achieve qualifications which would allow them to earn higher incomes in their later life
The paper is useful for policy makers and professionals working in development
SP Discussion Paper No 0539

Family perceptions of intellectual disability : understanding and support in Dar as Salaam

ALDERSEY, H. M
English
2012

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"This article outlines and discusses interviews that were conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with family members of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These interviews explore how families came to understand that their child had an intellectual disability; the availability of family support; and family hopes and dreams for the future, and were a part of a wider exploratory study that gathered insight from individuals with disabilities, families, and other providers of support to explore understandings and perceptions of disability in Dar es Salaam"
African Journal of Disability, Vol 1, Issue 1, Art. #32

Measuring welfare for small but vulnerable groups : poverty and disability in Uganda

HOOGEVEEN, Johannes G
English
2004

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When vulnerable groups such as disabled people are surveyed, representative welfare estimates from non-purposive sample surveys becomes an issue. This paper takes the example of Uganda and describes the connections between disability, poverty, wellbeing and social welfare. This is possibly the first time that statistically representative information on income poverty amongst disabled people has been generated for a developing country

Practice and preferences of sign languages in the instructions of deaf students: some reflections on the mainstream secondary school of Botswana

LEKOKO, Rebecca N
MUKHOPADHYAY, S
English
2008

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The use of language for every day communication has been and continues to be an essential element of any teaching and learning environment. In this paper, the focus is on the teaching -learning communication in the education of the learners with deafness. While experiences indicate that some people in Botswana are showing more and more interest in Sign Language as a mode of instruction in the classroom, it is also true that many are far from understanding the "Deaf Culture" and to use sign language in the teaching and learning of deaf students. To a great extent, deaf people in Botswana are still disadvantaged and discriminated against, by their condition. A survey carried out in 2004 (1) revealed that some current practices in the mainstream secondary school of Botswana make it difficult for deaf students to progress. While, for example, participants preferred Total Communication; in practise, Signed English is used. Thus, this paper takes a stance that if practices conflict with preference, low performance should be expected. This is currently the situation at the mainstream secondary schools in Botswana, deaf students' inability to hear has become their inability to learn and progress in education. This could be avoided. In this 21st century, being unable to hear is not a barrier to learning, as we are aware that Sign Languages are there as full languages, for the education of deaf.

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 19, No 1

Reflections on poverty and disability : a review of literature

KAMPEN, Marlies V
ZIJVERDEN, Ingrid M
EMMETT, Tony
English
2008

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This study carried out a review of literature describing the relationship between poverty and disability, in order to establish the evidence base for this relationship. Several authors seem to accept the existence of this link, even without a sound research basis. Articles and books were scrutinized to find out what sources were used in these publications to conclude that there was evidence for a strong relationship between disability and poverty. Peer-reviewed articles were used as much as possible.

It was found that cultural determinants play the greatest role in the process of disability leading to poverty. Monetary factors are also essential determinants when it comes to poverty as a result of disability. The relationship between disability and poverty seems to be a vicious circle. Most of the literature concerning poverty and disability is based on non- rigorous (literature) studies.

Relating disability to poverty and vice versa is a complex matter that needs to consider several interdependent factors that influence this process.

 

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 19, No 1

The costs of disability and the incidence of poverty

SAUNDERS, Peter
English
August 2006

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This resource reviews evidence connecting disability to the risk of poverty using data from the 1998-99 Household Expenditure Survey (HES), demonstrating that in Australian households with a disabled person, poverty rates are higher and hardship is more prevalent than in households without. It then uses the HES data to estimate the costs of disability which rely upon information on household living standards

The economic costs of exclusion and gains of inclusion of people with disabilities : evidence from low and middle income countries

BANKS, Lena Morgon
POLACK, Sarah
English
2015

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This report, formed of two parts, provides robust empirical basis to support the theorized disability-poverty link. The first section presents a systematic review of the literature on the relationship between disability and economic poverty. The second section explores the economic consequences of the exclusion and inclusion of people with disabilities in the areas of education, employment and health. The key pathways through which these economic costs may arise are discussed and studies that have attempted to quantify the financial impacts are reviewed

The employment of persons with disabilities : evidence from national sample survey

MITRA, Sophie
SAMBAMOORTHI, Usha
English
December 2005

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"This paper reports on the employment of persons with disabilities in India based on recent data from the National Sample Survey. The study shows that the employment rate of persons with disabilities is relatively low compared to that of the all India working age population, with great variations across gender, urban/rural sectors and state. A multivariate analysis suggests that employment among persons with disabilities is influenced more by individual and household characteristics than human capital"

Qualitative approach and tools

Paying stories of impairment - parasitic or ethical?|Reflections undertaking anthropological research in post-conflict Sierra Leone

BERGHS, Maria
English
December 2011

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This article presents ethnographic research in Sierra Leone with people with disabilities. The author explores challenges faced with the research and the importance of engaging in more reciprocal and collaborative communal research using a social model of disability framework to try and access discourses
Journal of Disability Research, Vol 3, No 4

Using qualitative methods in studying the link between disability and poverty : developing a methodology and pilot testing in Kenya

GRUT, Lisbet
INGSTAD, Benedicte
English
June 2005

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"The report introduces a methodology for qualitative studies on disability and poverty. The purpose of the methodological approach is to uncover the mechanisms by which various types of impairments interact with barriers in the environment, to limit or influence the economic and social life of people with disabilities and members of their households. The pilot study was carried out in Kenya, and shows that the methodological tool is well suited to this type of studies"

Qualitative studies

A research study on individuals with disabilities in the Masai tribe of Tanzania

FEINSTEIN, Sheryl
English
2009

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"The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the life of individuals with a disability in the Maasai Tribe in Tanzania. The study consisted of 68 participants. Individuals with a disability did not engage in tribal traditions, go to school or seek modern health care"
Review of Disability Studies : An International Journal, Vol 5, Issue 4

Cultural beliefs and attitudes about disability in East Africa

STONE-MACDONALD, Angi
BUTERA, Gretchen
English
2012

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"This interpretive literature review of cultural beliefs and attitudes about disability in East Africa identified themes in four categories including (a) the causes of disability, (b) attitudes towards disability, (c) treatment of people with disabilities, and (d) language about disability. Referencing the medical, social, and pluralistic frameworks for conceptualizing disability, the authors sought to compare and contrast East Africa with perspectives about disability common in the developed world. Implications for policy and practice are discussed"
Review of Disability Studies : An International Journal, Vol 8, Issue 1

Include us in education! : a qualitative research study on barriers and enablers to education for children with disabilities in Nepal

ZUURMOND, Maria
English
et al
December 2014

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A 2013 Plan study across 30 countries found that children with disabilities were on average 10 times less likely to go to school than children without disabilities. This report presents the findings of a follow-up second phase to the research with a qualitative study on barriers and enablers to education for children with disabilities in Nepal. The research looks at the experiences of 21 children aged 6 to 16 years (8 of them had dropped out of school while one had never been enrolled) through in-depth interviews conducted with 21 families (20 caregivers and 13 children), 9 key informant interviews, and visits to two special schools and one integrated school. The report presents the findings and makes recommendations for the way forward

Qualitative survey on disability and living standards in Georgia

INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES (IPS)
PA CONSULTING GROUP
English
2007

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This report presents the disability situation in Georgia as of September 2006. The qualitative research identifies the most significant issues, challenges and barriers faced by members of the disabled population in order to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between disability and poverty in a given country and globally, and provides recommendations aimed at designing/improving policies regarding employment, education, health care, and social protection

See me, and do not forget me : people with disabilities in Kenya

INGSTAD, Benedict
GRUT, Lisbet
English
February 2007

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This report describes the situation of people with disabilities in Kenya and provides recommendations to contribute to the improvement of their living conditions. Using qualitative research, it examines "how cultural factors, inaccessible infrastructure and lack of resources prevent people with various mental, physical, and sensory impairments from participating in the economic and social lives of their communities, as well as how the living conditions and social barriers affects the presence of disabilities." This report is useful for NGOs and governments working with people with disabilities in Kenya

This is my life : living with a disability in Yemen|A qualitative study

GRUT, Elizabeth
INGSTAD, Benedict
English
September 2006

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"This report is a contribution towards describing the lives of people with disabilities in Yemen...The purpose of this study has been to uncover the key barriers - e.g. cultural factors, inaccessible infrastructure, lack of resources - that prevent people with various mental, physical, and sensory impairments from participating in the economic and social lives of their communities"

Quantitative approach and tools

Conducting surveys on disability : a comprehensive toolkit

BAKHSHI, Parul
TRANI, Jean-Francois
ROLLAND, Cecile
English
2006

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This comprehensive toolkit gives the basis for the design and implementation of household surveys. It is designed for those interested in understanding disability within a specific social, political, cultural and religious context. The six sections of this document outline how to design, conduct and analyse a survey which focuses on similar issues. Topics in these sections include: understanding the socio-economic context in order to determine the survey objectives, training the interviewers team and conducting field operations to collect the data. This work would be useful for anyone with an interest in data collection, surveys and disability and development

Guidelines and principles for the development of disability statistics

UNITED NATIONS
English
2001

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This publication is aimed at assisting national statistical offices and other producers of disability statistics to improve the collection, compilation and dissemination of disability data. The document addresses methodological issues in the area of disability by providing guidelines and principles related to data collection, through surveys and censuses and also on the compilation, dissemination and usage of data on disability.

Key informant method

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE IN DISABILITY (ICED)
English

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"The Key Informant Method (KIM) is a method that has previously been validated in the identification of children with severe visual impairment and blindness using trained, community volunteers in the place of a door-to-door survey. KIM has been developed by a number of organisations working together to enable states and state parties to formulate suitable policies and programs. The ICED is working with a number of partners using KIM in different settings"
This website provides information about recent KIM projects and related resources

Measuring disability prevalence

MONT, Daniel
English
Ed
March 2007

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This paper opens by identifying that poverty and disability are inextricably linked. The aim of this document is to provide a concrete definition of disability and explain the significance of measuring the prevalence. The purpose is to provide a set of best practices for data collection that is internationally comparable and specific to disability. This resource would be useful to anyone with an interest in data collection/ measurement and disability and development

Monitoring child disability in developing countries : results from the multiple indicator cluster surveys

UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENS FUND (UNICEF)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
English
2008

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Using the ten question screen for children with disability in the multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) in 20 countries, this report aims "to raise awareness and thereby both prevent new cases of child disability when that is possible and ensure protection and inclusion for children with disabilities. The findings presented in this publication provide decision-makers with basic information from a number of diverse countries that can be used to determine priorities related to child disability, including the prevention of childhood disabilities, the early detection of disorders leading to disability, and the timely provision of medical-rehabilitation services and comprehensive support to families with children with disabilities"

The capability approach and disability

MITRA, Sophie
English
2006

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"The purpose of this article is to assess how an approach developed in economics to analyze issues related to the standard of living, the so-called capability approach, may help us understand disability at the conceptual level"
Journal of Disability Policy Studies, Vol 16, No 4

Training manual on disability statistics

UNITED ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP)
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)
English
2008

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This training manual enhances "the understanding of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) based approach to disability measurement. It provides an overview of the ICF framework as well as guidelines on how to operationalise the underlying concepts of functioning and disability into data collection, dissemination and analysis." This manual is useful for anyone who is interested in disability data collection and dissemination for both national and international disability policy analysis, formulation and evaluation

Quantitative studies and Statistics

Approaching the measurement of disability prevalence : the case of Zambia

LOEB, Mitchell E
EIDE, Arne H
MONT, Daniel
English
January 2008

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"Results from a national, representative survey of living conditions among people with disabilities in Zambia based, in part, on the work of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) that operationalises a functional approach to disability are presented and contrasted with historical census data to illustrate how a flexible approach to the measurement of disability is better suited to the multiple purposes of collecting disability statistics and to the diversity of disability in a population"
Alter, European Journal of Disability Research, Vol 2, No 1

Availability, collection and use of data on disability in the Caribbean sub region

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (ECLAC)
English
January 2011

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"This paper addresses the issue of the availability of data on persons with disabilities in the Caribbean subregion....It presents the findings of a survey conducted by ECLAC aimed at gaining insight on current practices of national statistical offices and other data collecting agencies with respect to the collection of national data on persons with disabilities. Using data from the 2000 year census for eight countries, the study also examines the impact of disability on education and employment"

Building the evidence base in disability : research summary

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE IN DISABILITY (ICED)
English
December 2014

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This research summary of presents the aims, methods and key findings from two disability studies in Cameroon and India. The studies developed a comprehensive population-based survey methodology that is compatible with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), and explored the inter-relationship between the components of this framework

Country profile

ASIA PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER ON DISABILITY (APCD)
English

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This database contains profiles relating to national disability information for various countries in the Asian-Pacific region. Comprehensive information is highlighted regarding general health information, statistical data on disability profile, current situation of persons with disabilities and profiles of disability related organizations. Details are provided for related references, tables, factsheets and figures, as well as Biwako Millennium Framework information. This website is useful for people seeking comprehensive national disability information in the Asia-Pacific region

Disability issues in East Asia : review and ways forward

TAKAMINE, Yutaka
English
May 2004

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This paper provides "the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific region with information and insights necessary for improving a focus on disability in its activities. There are two major parts to this paper. The first part reviews disability related issues in the region by describing (1) the prevalence of disability and related issues; (2) major issues and challenges confronting persons with disabilities; and (3) good practices, innovative approaches, and effective organizations in the region working to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. The second part reviews the Bank’s regional level activities through examining project portfolios and AAA products, as well as through interviews with Sector managers and staff members. Based on this review, the paper recommends ways to include disability issues at the regional and sector levels"

Disability prevalence among adults : estimates for 54 countries and progress towards a global estimate

MITRA, Sophie
SAMBAMOORTHI, Usha
English
July 2013

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This study estimated disability prevalence among adults at global, regional and country levels using internationally comparable disability data and measure. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of data from the World Health Survey (WHS) (2002-2004) for nationally representative samples of civilian, non-institutionalized populations in 54 countries. A disability was measured as having at least one severe or extreme difficulty with bodily functions (seeing, concentrating) and activities (moving around, self-care) based on an individual’s self-reports
In the 54 countries under study, severe or extreme functional or activity difficulties are highly prevalent. For all countries, disability prevalence is estimated at 14% for all adults. Low and middle income countries have higher disability prevalence compared to high income countries. Among subgroups, disability prevalence stands at 12% among working age adults and 39% among the elderly. Women have higher prevalence than men.
Disability is found to be highly prevalent among adults, with an estimated global prevalence at 14%. Disability deserves enhanced policy attention and resources in public health and international development
Discussion Paper No: 2013-06, Forthcoming in Disability and Rehabilitation

Global health observatory (GHO)

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
English

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The Global Health Observatory (GHO) provides access to WHO's global health-related statistics. The aim of the GHO is to: compile and verify major sources of health data; provide easy access to country data and metadata; present scientifically sound information in user-friendly formats. Specific areas are provided for theme pages, a data repository, reports, country statistics, a map gallery and standards

Human development report : statistics

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP)
English

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The UNDP holds a comprehensive database about different areas relevant to describing the development of a country. This database includes indicators such as literacy, average age of death, child mortality etc and is relevant for all researchers and NGOs

Human functioning and disability

United Nations
English

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The demand for statistics on human functioning and disability has greatly increased following the International year of disabled persons (1981), the adoption of the United Nations World programme of action concerning disabled persons (1982), and the release of the standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities (1993). The world programme of action specifically requested that the United Nations develop systems for the regular collection and dissemination of information on disability.
In 2005 the United Nations statistics division will initiate a systematic and regular collection of basic statistics on human functioning and disability by introducing a disability statistics questionnaire to the existing demographic yearbook data collection system. The United Nations statistics division is currently testing the disability questionnaire and developing tabulation and dissemination plans.
This website is a statistical reference and guide to the standards and methods and available data on functioning and disability

International disability rights monitor (IDRM) regional reports

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION
English

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These regional reports are the primary focus of the International Disability Rights Monitor (IDRM) project and have been compiled by local IDRM researchers. Each report focuses upon several key areas such as legal protections, education, employment, accessibility, and health and housing services for people with disabilities. The reports include a detailed report on each country and a report card that compares the progress made by countries across the region. Reports are available on the Americas, Asia and Europe, as well as two thematic reports, in downloadable pdf format. They are useful for people interested in research on disability and development

Living conditions among people with activity limitations in Zambia : a national representative study

EIDE, Arne H
LOEB, ME
English
September 2006

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This report presents the findings of a study about the livelihoods of people with disability in Zambia using both individual data and data from household surveys with and without people with disabilities. The report, one of a series of regional research reports to establish baseline data on living conditions among people in Southern Africa, looks at the fields of health, employment, education, living conditions and services for people with disabilities

Mapping inequity : persons with physical disabilities in Jordan

UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP)
English
2009

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"This report adopts a rights-based approach to map the access of persons with physical disabilities to social services in Jordan and assess the extent to which they enjoy equal opportunities and are socially integrated"

Measuring quality of life, safety, and social and family participation of project beneficiaries : the ScoPeO tool

BRUS, Aude
English
et al
July 2014

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"This guide presents ScoPeO, a tool for measuring changes in living conditions as perceived by beneficiaries once a project is implemented. More specifically, the method serves to evaluate quality of life, perception of safety and participation in society and family life in two phases: before or at the start of the project (baseline survey) and at the end of the project (endline survey). Thus, this guide presents concepts related to quality of life and similar notions, the key phases in the process and provides the tools needed to conduct a study on quality of life. This guide is designed for all Handicap International professionals, and in particular the project managers, operational coordinators and technical coordinators in charge of developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects. Handicap International partners may also find this guide useful"

The Malawi key informant child disability project

TATARYN, Myroslava
English
et al
August 2014

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“The aim of this study was to use the KIM to estimate the prevalence of moderate/severe physical, sensory and intellectual impairments and epilepsy among children in two districts (Ntcheu and Thyolo) in Malawi. The Key Informant Method (KIM) is a novel method for generating these data. KIM focuses on training community volunteers to identify local children who may have disabilities, who are then screened by medical professionals and referred on for appropriate health and rehabilitation interventions. Consequently, the method offers an alternative to population-based surveys of disability in children, which can be costly and time consuming”

Two stage child disability study among children 2 to 9 years : Bhutan 2010 - 2011

THE NATIONAL STATISTICS BUREAU (NSB), Government of Bhutan
Ministry of Education (MoE)
Ministry of Health (MoH)
English
2012

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“This report highlights the salient findings of the two-stage child disability study among children aged 2-9 years conducted in 2011. The first stage was a screen to identify children with conditions making them more likely to be living with a disability. The second stage was a detailed assessment to accurately determine their disability status. This two-stage procedure is designed to reduce the costs of administering a detailed assessment to many children who are highly unlikely to have a disability”