To understand the lives of people with disabilities and to become an ally, it is important to understand endless barriers they can face. From discrimination; marginalization; physical and mental abuse; social and learning environments which are in accessible or unwelcoming; the high costs of medications and equipment; difficult obtaining adequate insurance, or healthcare, housing or assistance. Given the number and diversity of possible conditions and the variations in specific manifestations (along with strident public voices declaring the need to cut support programs, the barriers can become almost unfathomable. You can read in more detail about the endless collection of issues, their causes and their impact in the articles below.
Overview - Situation for People with Disabilities (PWD)
PWD are often called the world’s largest minority (representing approximately 1.3 billion people, or 1 in 6). As a group they have lagged behind other communities in recognition, legislative protections, and support to meet healthcare, financial, and other needs.
The numbers of PWD are growing. This is resulting from aging populations, increases in chronic health conditions, national disasters, conflict and the impact of environmental degradation. And PWD are already at twice the risk for asthma, obesity, depression, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
The PWD population must be considered from an intersectional viewpoint, which can create varied and sometimes conflicting situations, goals and strategies. For example, women and girls face what is essentially a “double” discrimination (which is further compounded by their vulnerability to violence and abuse). In fact, women with disabilities are 2 - 4 x more likely to become victims of intimate partner violence.
Poverty disproportionately impacts PWD and can lead to dangerous and unhealthy living conditions, creating a cycle of declining health and increasing poverty and, sometimes inevitably, unnecessary mortality among all age groups.
Accessibility to education, employment, healthcare, public spaces, transportation, and basics like water & sanitation are often deadly, even in many developed countries, particularly when taking into the consideration the additional costs of the disability itself.
PWD regularly face discrimination, ableism, stigma, and exclusion which can extend as far as the denial of the right of self-determination (involving actions such as forced sterilization, involuntary treatments, or various forms of institutionalization). It leads to or exacerbates lack of access and other barriers which limit the lives and can destroy the futures of disabled individuals and groups.
There exists a school to prison pipeline which parallels that dynamic for children of color. This is readily apparent in the United States where the dynamics of discrimination by and the absence of training and education for people in authority often eliminates any existing rights or protections for PWD.
The breakdown of the Care Economy, a seemingly ubiquitous crisis, became painfully apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was driven by rising costs and needs, wholly inadequate or non-existent caregiver wages and benefits (a workforce primarily made up of women), lost wages by employed caregivers, and the absence of consistent, meaningful standards and control (of both public and private entities).
The coming to power of far right/conservative leaders, in many parts of the world, has led to enormous threats to PWD. Massive budget cuts, the curtailment of rights and services, the elimination or skeletonizing of existing legislation, and negative attitudes towards PWD are of great concern and must be countered with strong advocacy.
Improvement of the status, safety and health of PWD could contribute powerfully to the enhancement of financial health, status and security. It should be a priority for every government and the path should be determined with the participation and contributions of PWD themselves.
The Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Wikipedia) and World Health Assembly Resolution EB148.R6 (A new landmark resolution on disability adopted at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (who.int)) set out principles, standards and goals. It is imperative we address these existing agreements. However, we much go further, with intention, vigor and decisive monitoring to establish clear standards and deliver on meaningful consequences across the globe.
Marnie Delaney
July 2024
Global Disability Caucus
Additional issues and Barriers
Disability and Health Disability Barriers | CDC
Disability Inclusion Overview (worldbank.org)
Disability Issues | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) (un.org)