Toolbox of disability and poverty reduction strategies - from the Global Partnership on Disability and Development (GPDD)

Disability and poverty

The international community has endorsed the reduction of poverty in its many dimensions as the overarching goal of development efforts. People with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to poverty and exclusion. Disabled people are disproportionately poor, and poverty, in turn, creates disabling living conditions.
Read more on perspectives and definitions on disability.

The estimated proportion of disabled people varies from 7-20% [1]. In post-conflict countries the figures can be even higher. There are disabled people in every segment of the population.

The families of disabled people are also affected; thus more than a quarter of any population may be directly impacted by the poverty and exclusion of people with disabilities.

The World Bank has determined that it is impossible to achieve the international Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) if disability issues and people with disabilities are not included.

Although most developing countries have adopted various poverty reduction strategies, these have not addressed disability issues adequately, and most not at all, as shown by the ILO study Disability and Poverty Reduction Strategies (PDF doc).

In this strategy toolbox you will find:

• Facts and figures: Why is it important to include disability?
• Guidelines and tools: How can it be done?
• Examples of good practice
• Links to additional resources
• Field Projects
• Guide to the user

Disability and Poverty Reduction Working Group

This toolbox is prepared by the Working Group on Disability and Poverty Reduction of the Global Partnership of Disability and Development (GPDD). The GPDD is an alliance of disabled peoples' organisations (DPOs), non-governmental development organisations (NGOs), Inter-governmental organizations and Governments. The overall objective of the GPDD is to combat the social and economic exclusion and impoverishment of people with disabilities and their families in developing countries by increasing awareness and understanding, strengthening cooperation, and promoting inclusive development policies and practices.

Disability and poverty reduction working group and the terms of reference

Endnotes

[1] DISTAT (United Nations Statistical Division): http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sconcerns/disability/default.htm

Robert L. Metts (2004): Disability and Development. Background Paper prepared for the Disability and Development Research Agenda Meeting, November 16, 2004, World Bank Headquarters, Washington D.C.; p.7

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How to translate global development goals into local action? How can people with disabilities be included as beneficiaries and agents of action in the planning and implementation of poverty reduction strategies?

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