Persons with disabilities are disproportionately likely to live within poverty, and too often lack access to education, health care, employment opportunities, housing, social protection system, justice, cultural expression and participation in political life. Their ability to participate in the society are usually frustrated because physical environment, transportation, information and communication systems are not accessible. what can be done to ensure that all aspects of national development efforts are inclusive of persons with disabilities? Disability leads to poverty and poverty increases the likelihood of disability in a number of ways. Because of the relationship between disability and poverty, the integration of disability issues in development is critical for the elimination of poverty, achievement of social inclusion, equitable, fair and sustainable development.
Here are key elements to disability inclusive development. First is Inclusive Education which specifies that children with disabilities should be included in general education as well as in early childhood quality learning, and that accessibility of educational infrastructure and provision of reasonable accommodation be ensured.
Inclusive Health Care services require accessible buildings and equipment, appropriately trained health care providers and accessible information. In the case of children with disabilities, comprehensive early assessment should be provided and referral systems should be in place.
Access to Decent Work and Employment for persons with disabilities require access to vocational training, skills development, and other employment support programs funded by the governments. Decent work opportunities in the rural and informal economies where persons with disabilities frequently seek their livelihood should also be improved.
Inclusive Social Protection requires availability to persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others and that social protection systems take the specific requirements of persons with disabilities into account in benefits.
Women with disabilities face multiple forms of discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation. They also experience heightened levels of exclusion from development and are often among the most marginalized segments within societies, facing significant difficulties in attaining access to adequate housing, health service, vocational training and employment. It has been broadly recognized by the international community that achievement of gender equality is critical to sustainable development. Equality between men and women is a fundamental principle of the CRDP (article(g)) which further specifies that state parties are to take all necessary appropriate measures to ensure the full development and empowerment of women for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedom.
