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Disability
Policy Brief January 2011
Results
www.InterAction.org Investing in people with disabilities is crucial for reducing global poverty,
fostering economic growth and improving quality of life for all communities.
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Reforming U.S. foreign aid to effectively address needs and priorities of people
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Washington, DC 20036 with disabilities ensures more successful and sustainable development for all.
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Background tance programs by adopting the USAID Disability Policy. In
the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the policy
One in five of the world’s poorest people has a disability. addresses both discrimination against people with disabili-
Major environmental, societal and attitudinal barriers con- ties and the need to address their concerns in all areas of
tinue to prevent people with disabilities from enjoying their development work. As one of the first bilateral donor agen-
basic rights such as attending school, working, access to cies to develop such a policy and establish standards in
clean water, civil society and health services, and partici- the area of accessible construction, the U.S. has been a
pating fully in their communities. These barriers become global leader in inclusive development. For over a decade,
more challenging in developing countries where: the U.S. Government has launched numerous initiatives
• One out of five people living on less than a dollar a day designed to strengthen disability inclusion in foreign assis-
has a disability. tance programs, yet they are limited by a lack of a consis-
• Ninety percent of children with disabilities do not attend tent strategy to include people with disabilities at all levels
school. of the development process. In addition, greater financial
• Only 1 percent of disabled women in the global south resources must be allocated to foreign assistance initia-
are literate. tives for their long-term viability and impact.
• Eighty to ninety percent of people with disabilities of The U.S. must take the opportunity to build on the
working age are unemployed, compared to 50-70 per- momentum created by the recently signed UN Conven-
cent in industrialized countries. tion on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In
July 2009, the United States signed the CRPD, joining over
Models of disability 150 other countries. The CRPD, which entered into force
Perspectives on disability and development have shifted in 2008, formally recognizes disability as a human rights
dramatically over the past two decades. Disability is no issue and marks a huge milestone in the disability move-
longer seen as a medical or social welfare issue in which ment worldwide. The CRPD also represents a paradigm
people with disabilities are treated as objects of char- shift within the development community, as it identifies the
ity and segregated from society. The disability movement importance of disability inclusion across all development
dismantled this oppressive model and promoted a human programs, rather than as a stand-alone thematic issue. The
rights approach to disability. Reforms were introduced to CRPD is a major tool for the implementation of inclusive
provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities and development strategies by governments, the UN and play-
end segregation, institutionalization, and discrimination.1 ers at all levels of the development process.
This model functions by empowering people with disabili- Inclusive development is not a “one-size fits all” approach.
ties to participate actively in political, economic, social and It is based on respect for diversity and recognizes that all
cultural life in a way that is respectful and accommodating people are different and have different needs. Nations can-
of their differences, thus achieving equality. not achieve their full potential for economic development
or democracy without fully embracing the diversity of all
U.S. actions communities. As a global leader, the United States must
In 1997 the United States made a commitment to ensure exemplify this by supporting international development
people with disabilities are included in its foreign assis- that is inclusive of people with disabilities. Urgent action
is needed as this is one of the greatest humanitarian and
human rights challenges in the world today.2
1 Theresia Degener and Gerard Quinn. “A Survey of International, Com-
parative and Regional Disability Law Reform” Disability Rights Law and
Policy: International and National Perspectives (Papers Conceived and
Commissioned by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund 2 US National Council on Disability, Foreign Policy and Disability: Legisla-
(DREDF), eds. M.L. Breslin and S. Yee, pages 3-125 (Ardsley, NY: Trans- tive Strategies and Civil rights Protections to Ensure Inclusion of People
national Pub., 2002). with Disabilities (September 9, 2003).
Contributors to the Disability Policy Brief
Organization URL
Mobility International USA www.miusa.org