Disability in low-income countries: Issues and implications

Abstract

This article reports on a study conducted for the Canadian International Development Agency by The International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation at the University of Toronto. We critically examined the broad literature in the area of disability and development and in this article we identify the key issues which emerged. Most of the data were collected from existing literature in the academic and practice settings and from the publications of key NGOs and governments. We first, examine disability in the context of low-income countries, and then discuss key critical issues: disability and poverty, disability and health, disability and education, disability and gender, disability and children/youth, disability and conflict/natural disasters and disability and human rights. In all these areas we find reports of discrimination, stigmatisation and marginalisation. We conclude that, as we address issues of multi-cultural disability services in developed countries, it is important to bear in mind the various issues that many people with disabilities and their families bring with them as the result of immigrating from a developing country. Although we address these issues within our own countries, we must bear in mind the changes that are occurring due to globalisation.

Assistive technology use is associated with reduced capability poverty: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh

“…Disability and income poverty are commonly viewed as elements of a vicious circle, where poverty may lead to disability and disability may lead to poverty [7,16,46]. As mentioned in the introduction, the capability approach offers a mirrored view -a virtuous circle -where enhanced capabilities may lead to reduced income poverty, which in turn may result in further enhanced capabilities [4].…”

“…However, for most of them these rights have not been realized as their access to development programmes, social benefits, and health and rehabilitation services is limited [35,36]. To promote the rights of people with disabilities, 46 Focal Points have been established in different ministries and departments, and a committee has been set up to monitor the implementation of the CRPD. In addition, a Disability Rights Watch Group has been formed with representatives from civil society and the Parliamentarians' Caucus on Disability.…”

Representation of Developing Countries in Orthopaedic Journals: A Survey of Four Influential Orthopaedic Journals

“…Worldwide, there are an estimated five-million deaths annually from accidental injuries, with almost 90% occurring in developing countries [28]. For each person who dies as the result of trauma, many more are left with temporary or permanent musculoskeletal disabilities [19,26,36].…”

Distribución mundial de la población con discapacidades en relación con los patrones geográficos del desarrollo humano

“…Al igual que sucede con otros colectivos sociales oprimidos por la etnia, la edad, la orientación sexual o la identidad, las mujeres con discapacidad, dentro de su diversidad, son un colectivo con mayor riesgo de padecer vulnerabilidad social: «Women with disabilities are recognised to be multiply disadvantaged, experiencing stigma due to both gender and disability» (Parnes et al, 2009(Parnes et al, : 1174. Pese a esta situación, en los últimos años, se observan cada vez mayores avances en materia de visibilidad y reconocimiento social de las mujeres con diversidad funcional.…”