Disability Main overview
“Poverty-reduction efforts have been successful at targeting those just below the dollar-a-day line, but ultra-poverty rates have stagnated. The poorest are more likely to belong to socially excluded groups, such as ethnic minorities, disadvantaged castes and tribes and those suffering from ill-health and disability.”
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2007.
Of the 650 million disabled people worldwide, 80% live in developing countries (WHO figures). Disabled people globally face marginalisation, lack of opportunity and often severe and chronic poverty as a result of stigma, prejudice and other societal barriers to their inclusion. In 2008 these rights of disabled people was finally recognised and set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which was adopted by the UN in December 2006 entered into forces in May 2008.
At World Vision we are committed to ensuring that disabiltiy is not only included in our own programmes and humanitarian support in the countries where we work, but also in promoting inclusion and exposing exclusion to other development players.
Tia description
World Vision is working to ensure that children like 12 year old Tia does not get excluded from school because she has a disability. Through engagement with international networks, policy makers and through World Vision's own activities disabled children and their families are no longer the silent minority.
Photo: ADD (Jazz) used with permission
Disability Key Facts
3 Key Facts about Disability
- Approximately 10% of the worlds population has a disability
- Only 2% of disabled people in developing countries have access to basic necessities such as food, clean water and clothing
- An estimated 80% of disabled people are unemployed