People with disabilities in developing countries are less likely to attend school, have access to medical services, or have their voices heard in society. Today the world observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Published on: 03/12/2015
The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, and is commemorated annually by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The theme of 2015 is "Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities." The observance of this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The needs of disabled people in developing countries are consistently overlooked when it comes to providing sanitation and hygiene services. This reality has severe and widespread consequences for the health; dignity; education and employment of disabled people as well as their caregivers.
IRC in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) obtained a grant from ADRAS (Australian Development and Research Awards Scheme) for research on access to sanitation in relation with disabilities in Bangladesh and Malawi in 2014. The project, which runs until March 2016, aims to get a better insight in the prevalence of disability related problems on access to sanitation as well as reflect on the design and implementation of a mitigation strategy. The long-term goal of the project is to draw up a sustainable strategy that can continue to be rolled out beyond the project.
IRC is one of the key organisations in the WASH sector to reflect on a systems approach towards sustainable WASH services. The aim is a focus on appealing, sustainable and affordable WASH products and services that are widely and continuously available (Forever), to all people including the disabled (Everyone). As a mean of achieving this we will be having our first task force meeting with like-minded organisations in December to reflect on: (1) how to further advocate on the importance of this area; (2) focus on upcoming research and evidence; (3) monitoring aspects through National Monitoring Information Systems; and (4) facilitation improvement.
We will continue to demonstrate the provision of sustainable WASH services to those least served such as the disabled by existing service providers.
Furthermore, we will continue to reveal that the illusion that business assumptions about market segments, (higher-income and better educated sectors) are more likely to change sanitation related behaviours and are less restricted in purchasing power for sanitation goods and services. As reflected in our work with the LSHTM, those from a poorer segment of the population are just as interested to provide for better WASH to those who are disabled in their community.
For more information on IRC's work, see the resources below.
