Reports on Conditions for People with Disabilities in Developing Countries

This page can help you find global, regional, and national-level reports, articles, and other information about the living conditions experienced by people with disabilities around the world. (ALSO SEE the page on Resources for DRF Target Nations for resources specific to Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Namibia, Nicaragua, Peru, and Uganda.)

Global and Regional Reports
Country-Level Reports

Global and Regional Reports

These reports cover multiple countries, either within a region or globally. Most of these resources focus on a specific thematic area such as people with intellectual disabilities, HIV/AIDS, children, employment, and other issues.

Status of Human Rights
Laws and Policies Affecting People with Disabilities
General Statistics and Data
Children and Youth with Disabilities
Women with Disabilities
Education
Poverty
Employment
Crisis Situations (Natural Disasters, Wars, Etc.)
People with Specific Disabilities
HIV/AIDS
Other Thematic Areas

Status of Human Rights Globally and Regionally

These materials share information about the status of human rights for people with disabilities as they are right now. For resources and toolkits that can help you improve the human rights situation for people with disabilities, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Themand Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates , both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

Inter-American Commission on Human rights
www.cidh.org/Basicos/English/Basic15.Disability.htm
Provides the full text of the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities. Also provides links to reports on the human rights status in countries throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region. Web content available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Center for International Rehabilitation
www.cirnetwork.org/
Sponsors two websites that may be of interest to DPOs. Their International Disability Education Alliance Network (IDEAnet) facilitates the exchange of knowledge and information among individuals and organizations working on disability issues, including human rights. Their International Disability Rights Monitor reports the results of research into the status of human rights for people with disabilities around the world. See their links to regional reports on human rights.

IDRM: Regional Report of the Americas (PDF format, 9.8 MB)
www.idrmnet.org/pdfs/IDRM_Americas_2004.pdf
Documents and describes the living situation of people with disabilities in 24 countries in the Americas. Published by the Center for International Rehabilitation in August 2004 and formally presented to the United Nations during the 4th Ad Hoc Committee meting. The International Disability Rights Monitor research network in the Americas is now in the process of updating this report. Available in both English and Spanish.

IDRM: Regional Report of Asia (PDF format, 4.7 MB)
www.idrmnet.org/pdfs/CIR_IDRM_Asia_05.pdf
Includes country reports on Cambodia, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam with a discussion of laws affecting the rights of people with disabilities. This 218-page report was presented to the United Nations in August 2005 during a meeting that debated the proposed CRPD, which was then still in the process of being written and negotiated.

IDRM: Regional Report of Europe (PDF format, 5.8 MB)
www.idrmnet.org/pdfs/IDRM_Europe_2007.pdf
This report compiles information from researchers in 14 European countries describing the extent to which their countries are inclusive of people with disabilities. Discusses Armenia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Published in 2007, this report is the first of its kind to be published after the CRPD. Its findings will play a key role in discussions during the United Nation’s 2008 Human Rights calendar.

2003 IDRM Compendium Report - Summaries of 30 Countries, Sub-Saharan Africa
www.ideanet.org/content.cfm?id=5B5F77
Summarizes the status of human rights for people with disabilities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Includes brief discussions of Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, and many others.

Survey on the Ratification Processes of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Seven States (Word format, 208 KB)
www.kynnys.fi/images/stories/Lakinetti/survey_on_the_ratification_processes__teksti.final.web.doc This report, released in May 2008, is based on a survey conducted in the Ukraine, Serbia, Hungary, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For each country, it shares information on the status of the process of ratifying the CRPD; national anti-discrimination legislation and its challenges; the national monitoring system in the context of the Convention; action being taken to raise awareness; and the possibilities available for people with disabilities to participate in the decision-making process. Available in both Word format (208 KB) and PDF format (354 KB).

International Disability Rights Compendium (PDF format, 3.5 MB)
www.idrmnet.org/pdfs/CIR_COMP.PDF
Presents a comparative analysis of the living conditions and legal protections of people with disabilities in 52 countries (for example: Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, Nicaragua, and others). This 298-page report was published by the Center for International Rehabilitation in June 2003.

Human Rights Africa
www.africandecade.org/humanrightsafrica
At this web page, you can download past issues of a newsletter from the Secretariat of the African Decade on Persons with Disabilities. Past issues have shared information about the living conditions and the status of human rights for people with disabilities throughout Africa. Some articles have also discussed the CRPD within the African context.

Laws and Policies Affecting People with Disabilities

These resources can help you learn more about the existing laws and policies that affect people with disabilities in countries around the world. For more materials and resources that can help you understand, or learn how to change, laws and policies, see Understanding Legislation (Laws) and Policy Issues, Changing Legislation (Laws) and Policy [Anchor link, ditto], and Legislation (Laws and Policy Issues, all on the page for CRPD And Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

Inter-American Development Bank, Disability Page
www.iadb.org/sds/SOC/site_6190_e.htm
The main disability page for the Inter-American Development Bank. Has links to disability-related statistics for the Latin American region; international and regional declarations on human rights; resources related to accessibility; material on inclusive education; and resources on inclusive labor markets. Web content and many publications are available in both English and Spanish.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Country Law Index
www.dredf.org/international/lawindex.shtml
An extensive listing of national-level laws from around the world that affect people with disabilities, with links to the full texts. Links to laws from dozens of countries including Ecuador, Ghana, Namibia, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and many others. This listing is not comprehensive of all countries, nor is it comprehensive of all laws in the countries it does list. But can be useful for comparing similar laws from different countries.

Global Legal Information Network
www.glin.gov/search.action
GLIN is a public database of official texts of laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and other legal sources. Texts are submitted in the original language, usually with a summary in English. Can be searched by key word; clicking on “More Search Options” allows user to narrow down the search by country. Also try their subject term index to search for laws on legal capacity, mental disabilities, mental health, and handicapped.

International and Humanitarian Law Library, of the World Legal Information Institute
www.worldlii.org/int/special/ihl/
Offers an extensive on-line library of legal resources. Searches multiple on-line databases of international and humanitarian laws, case law, and law journals. Try a key word search for “disability”; or combine the word “disability” with your area of specific interest, for example: “legal capacity” AND disability (note quotes around “legal capacity” and use of word AND).

FindLaw
findlaw.com/12international/countries/
This resource can help locate articles, news, commentaries, and case summaries related to legal issues in countries around the world. You can search by country, or with a key word search.

Human Rights Treaties Library
www1.umn.edu/humanrts/treaties.htm
Here, you can find the full text for various human rights treaties around the world. Search by topic area (including disability), or by key word. Or search by country to find out which of the existing international human rights treaties your country has signed, ratified—or ignored.

Government action on disability policy: a global survey
www.independentliving.org/standardrules/UN_Answers/intro.html This study, conducted in 1995 and published in 1997, summarizes national policies and legislation affecting the rights and opportunities available to people with disabilities in 130 countries. Based on replies to a questionnaire with responses from 600 disability Non-Governmental Organizations. The full text can be read on the web, or the report can be downloaded in PDF format (450 KB)

Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR) Programme website
www.disabilitykar.net
Provides assorted reports and publications related to people with disabilities and poverty in developing countries, based on research conducted by the Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR) Programme. Includes research on topics such as education; conflict situations; poverty; policy and legislation; education; sexuality.

International Human Rights and Comparative Mental Disability Law: The Universal Factors
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=984894
This paper compares different laws that affect the lives of people with mental disabilities around the world. Discusses how to evaluate whether the laws (or lack of laws) in a country represent a violation of human rights for people with mental disabilities. This link leads to the abstract for the paper. Members of the Social Science Research Network can download the PDF file with the full paper (138 KB) for free. Membership in the network is free. Published in 2007; 38 pages.

Legislation on equal opportunities and full participation in development for disabled persons: examples from the ESCAP region
www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/intl/z15/z15007le/z1500701.htm
Provides examples of disability legislation in 10 Asia-Pacific countries in the areas of: protecting rights; equalization; education; employment; rehabilitation; accessibility; and national coordination. Countries include China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The full text can be read on-line in html format. Released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in 1997; 522 pages.

The concept of reasonable accommodation in selected national disability legislation
www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc7bkgrndra.htm
Describes how the concept of “reasonable accommodation” for people with disabilities is used in the national legislation of several selected countries. Uses case studies from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, and Zimbabwe. Produced for the Ad Hoc Committee that was drafting the CRPD. The full text can be read on-line in html format.

The Salamanca statement and framework for action on special needs education (PDF format, 2.2 MB)
unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0009/000984/098427eo.pdf
The Salamanca statement, produced at a 1994 global conference on special needs education, continues to be a major international policy document. Outlines the global consensus on policies and strategies needed to include children with disabilities in the education system. Available in PDF format in English (2.2 MB), French (2.4 MB), Spanish (2.4 MB), Russian (1.7 MB), and Arabic (911 KB).

Biwako Millennium Framework
www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/bmf/bmf.html
A draft of a regional framework for action toward an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for people with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Provides policy recommendations for governments in the Asia and Pacific region and concerned stakeholders. Incorporates the Millennium Development Goals and their relevant targets. Released in 2002. Can be read in English on-line in html format. Also available Bislama (Word format, 477 KB), Chinese (Word format, 106 KB), French (Word format, 150 KB), Japanese (on-line in html format), and Russian (Word format, 303 KB).

Biwako Plus Five (PDF format, 203 KB)
www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/bmf/APDDP2_2E.pdf
Updates progress since the Biwako Millennium Framework for action toward an inclusive, barrier-free, and rights-based society for people with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific was adopted in 2002. Identifies key priorities and strategies for action, including self-help organizations; women with disabilities; early detection and education; training and employment; access to built environments and public transport; access to information and communications; poverty alleviations; promoting an enabling environment; improving the quality of data and other information on disabilities; promoting disability-inclusive development; and strengthening comprehensive community-based approaches to disability issues.

Organization of American States
www.oas.org/
Unites the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Works to strengthen democracy; promote human rights; and confront shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs, and corruption. See their page on the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, 2006-2016, for links to documents on the Latin American Decade, on the CRPD, and on the Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against People with Disabilities. Web content available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

USAID disability policy (PDF format, 36 KB)
pdf.dec.org/pdf_docs/PDABQ631.pdf
This disability policy paper for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was released in 1997. Describes USAID’s policy for addressing disability issues in development. Ten pages.

Nations for mental health: a focus on women (PDF format, 576 KB)
whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1997/WHO_MSA_NAM_97.4.pdf
This 69-page manual provides an overview of the various psychosocial conditions experienced by women around the world. Discusses relevant policy and legislation that affect women with psychosocial disabilities; workplace interventions; the criminal justice system in relation to violence against women; tips on increasing public awareness and decreasing the stigma of psychosocial disabilities. Published by the World Health Organization.

Disability, development and inclusion in international development cooperation: analysis of disability-related policies and research at selected multilateral and bilateral institutions (PDF format, 172 KB)
www.inclusion-international.org/site_uploads/11190145651957722055.pdf
Summarizes both formal and informal policies that affect disability and development practice in the field. Released by Inclusion International in 2001; 8 pages.

Disabilities at a Glance: a Profile of 28 Countries and Areas in Asia and the Pacific (PDF format, 780 KB)
www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/publications/glance/disability%20at%20a%20glance.pdf Provides disability-related data and policy-related information on 28 different countries throughout the Asian-Pacific region. Discusses progress in implementing the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF). Includes countries such as Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Cook Island, and others. Published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the regional development arm of the United Nations; 87 pages.

Finding the Gaps: A Comparative Analysis of Disability Laws in the United States to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (PDF format, 586 KB)
www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/pdf/ncd_crpd_analysis.pdf Compares existing laws in the United States against the CRPD and analyzes the gaps in these laws. This comparative analysis could be used as a model by other countries that wish to study their own laws to identify what needs to be kept, abolished, newly written, or revised, to become more consistent with the CRPD. By the National Council on Disability; 146 pages.

General Statistics and Data

These links will take you to publications and other resources that provide extensive statistics and data related to people with disabilities.

Statistics on Persons with Disabilities in Central America
www.iadb.org/sds/SOC/publication/gen_6191_4149_e.htm
Offers collections of statistics about people with disabilities in the countries of Central America. All are available in Spanish. Most are available in Power Point format; some are available in PDF format.

Disability statistics compendium (PDF format, 26.1 MB)
unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/SeriesY/SeriesY_4e.pdf
Published by the United Nations Department of International and Social Affairs in 1990, this compendium provides detailed national data from the late 1980s on topics related to disability. Although it is out of date, the United Nations indicates that it is the only compendium with statistical information from countries worldwide. Available in English (PDF, 26.1 MB), French (PDF, 27 MB), and Spanish (PDF, 27 MB). Note that this file is very large.

UNICEF Child Disability Website
www.childinfo.org/disability.html
This web page can help in locating statistics and other information related to children with disabilities around the world. Also describes some of the exploitation, abuse, and discrimination that children with disabilities may face. Check under “resources” for free, on-line UNICEF publications about children with disabilities. Most publications are in PDF format; some are power point programs.

Perspectives on disability, poverty and technology: a report to Healthlink Worldwide and GIC Ltd (PDF format, 408 KB)
www.disabilitykar.net/pdfs/perspectives.pdf
Proposes an approach to disability and development rooted in the social model of disability. Argues that many disability statistics paint a misleading picture of the social reality of disability in developing countries. Promotes an integrated strategy for addressing disability and development with recommendations for how the UK Department for International Development (DFID) should move forward. This 61-page document was published in 2002.

Children and Youth with Disabilities

These materials share information about the status of children and youth with and the challenges they experience. For resources and toolkits that can help you improve their human rights situation, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

Disability and war (PDF format, 630 KB)
www.healthlink.org.uk/PDFs/cbrnews32.pdf
This issue of the CBR News newsletter discusses the challenges experienced by people with disabilities in war situations and post-war reconstruction. Includes a discussion of how war causes disabilities; articles that focus on children with disabilities; an article on landmine awareness. Emphasizes the role of rehabilitation and prosthetic devices. Published in early 2000 by Healthlink Worldwide.

What works? Promoting the rights of disabled children: guidelines for action
www.daa.org.uk/RDC%20WHAT%20WORKS.htm
Describes some of the ways in which the human rights of children with disabilities are commonly violated, including their exclusion, abuse, and neglect. Explains how civil society can be strengthened so it is better able to meet the needs of children. These guidelines can be used by DPOs and other organizations. Released by Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) in 2003, before the CRPD was finalized but after the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Can be read on-line in html format.

Disabled children in post-war Mozambique: developing community based support
www.eenet.org.uk/key_issues/refugees/cbsmozam.shtml
This article is based on experience with children with disabilities in refugee camps in Mozambique. Discusses both the direct and indirect impact of war on people with disabilities. Published in Disasters in 1994.

Adolescents and youth with disabilities: issues and challenges (PDF format, 81 KB)
siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTLACREGTOPHIVAIDS/Resources/AdolescentsandDisabilityFinal.pdf Discusses the issues confronted by adolescents with disabilities in developing countries. Most other material focuses on either adults with disabilities or on young children; this is one of the few papers that focuses on the precarious age in between when emerging adults must acquire skills; mature physically and psychologically; and learn how to participate fully in their communities. This 28-page paper was written by Dr. Nora Ellen Groce and published by the World Bank in 2001.

I’m A Teenager: What Happened to My Rights? (PDF format, 1 MB)
www.plan-international.org/pdfs/teen.pdf
Discusses the situation of young people around the world in the light of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Chapter 13 focuses specifically on teenagers with disabilities and the issues they face, including prejudice, abuse, and lack of education. Published by Plan International in November 2004.

Young people with a physical disability
www.asksource.info/pdf/26572_youngdisability_1999.pdf
Discusses the situation of young people with disabilities and their human rights. This 29-page report is based on a 1999 seminar in which young people with physical disabilities from Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Romania shared their experiences.

Double burden: a situation analysis of HIV/AIDS and young people with disabilities in Rwanda and Uganda (PDF format, 282 KB)
www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/docs/Double_Burden.pdf
Discusses the situation of young people with disabilities in Rwanda and Uganda in relation to HIV/AIDS. This 76-page report describes how people with disabilities are often excluded from safer-sex education programs and makes recommendations for how they can be better integrated into these programs. Published by Save the Children UK in 2004.

Disabled village children: a guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families
www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/global/david/dwe002/dwe00201.htm Discusses issues related to children with various disabilities. It is primarily written for therapists, professionals, and community groups interested in rehabilitation. However, a few chapters in part two may also be of interest to DPOs. For example, chapter 47 shares ideas for training children and teachers to understand children with disabilities; chapter 50 discusses how communities can organize, manage, and finance village rehabilitation programs; chapter 51 is on adapting the home for children with disabilities; chapter 53 discusses including children with disabilities in education. By David Werner in 1999.

Education’s Missing Millions: Including Disabled Children in Education Through EFA FTI Processes and National Sector Plans (PDF format, 1.2 MB)
Analyzes education sector plans in 28 countries, implemented as part of the Education for All (EFA) Fast Track Initiative (FTI), to examine how well they include children with disabilities. Identifies gaps and weaknesses. The 8th chapter presents examples of projects that have helped promote inclusion for children with disabilities in the classroom and their communities. This report was funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through a Partnership Programme Agreement with World Vision UK.

Violence Against Disabled Children: UN Secretary Generals Report on Violence against Children, Thematic Group on Violence against Disabled Children, Findings and Recommendations (PDF format, 245 KB)
www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/UNICEF_Violence_Against_Disabled_Children_Report_Distributed_Version.pdf This 33-page report summarizes what is known about violence toward children with disabilities at home, in schools, in institutions, in the criminal justice system, within the broader community, and (in child labor situations) at work. This publication was released by UNICEF in July 2005.

Women with Disabilities

These materials share information about the status of women with disabilities and the challenges they experience. For resources and toolkits that can help you improve their human rights situation, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

Siyanda Database of Gender and Development Materials
www.siyanda.org/
Offers an extensive on-line library of articles related to gender and international development around the world. Try a key word search for “disability,” “disabled,” etc. to locate articles on women with disabilities.

Disabled Women: An International Resource Kit
www.daa.org.uk/publications/Reskit6.htm
Shares information on the status of women with disabilities around the world and suggests strategies for change. Also lists useful resources. By Disability Awareness in Action.

Discrimination X 3: Women, AIDS, and Disability
www.aids-freeworld.org/content/view/88/66/
Explains why the advocacy organization AIDS-Free World has put disability rights advocacy high on its agenda, including the challenges of HIV/AIDS among women with disabilities. Shares some of what is known about HIV/AIDS among women with disabilities. Released in January 2008.

Addressing concerns of women with disabilities in CBR
www.worldenable.net/wadbangkok2003/paperthomas.htm
This paper gives an overview of the situation of women with disabilities in society, with a particular focus on the South Asian region. Discusses specific disadvantages that women with disabilities face and suggests strategies for overcoming them.

Gendering the draft comprehensive and integral international convention on the protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities: legal background paper
v1.dpi.org/files/uploads/publications/gendering_convention/DPI_Gendering_UN_Convention_Jan_2006.pdf Written while the CRPD was still being drafted, this paper presents arguments for why the treaty should include a separate article on the equality of women with disabilities. Describes the stigma, discrimination, and human rights abuses that harm women with disabilities. May be of interest to advocates who support gender equality and women’s rights, and to people working on issues related to what is now Article 6 in the CRPD on women with disabilities.

Disabled women: disability awareness in action resource kit
www.independentliving.org/docs2/daakit61.html
This booklet briefly describes the obstacles that women with disabilities encounter in countries around the world. Topics include: isolation; poverty; health care and rehabilitation; access to information; education and training; employment; transportation; sexuality and relationships; family life and parenthood; developments in genetics; abuse and violence; female genital mutilation; and multiple forms of discrimination. Written by Disability Awareness in Action in 1997, it is targeted at women with disabilities, activists, and organizations working on gender and disability. Can be read on-line in html format, or can be downloaded in PDF format (120 KB).

Loud, proud and prosperous: report on the Mobility International USA international symposium of microcredit for women with disabilities
www.miusa.org/publications/freeresources/intlsymposium
Based on an international symposium on microcredit for women with disabilities held in 1998, this report shares information about the achievements of women with disabilities in various countries. Discusses resources and strategies related to accessing loans and microcredit for women with disabilities. Symposium participants were from Canada, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Published by Mobility International USA.

Equity to Women with Disabilities in India (PDF format, 88 KB)
www.asksource.info/pdf/32747_equitywomenwithdisabilities_2004.pdf This 11-page paper describes the situation of women with disabilities in India. Includes a discussion of the discrimination they face in accessing education, training, employment, and health. Originally prepared for India's National Commission for Women in 2004.

Education

These materials share information about the current status of education for people with disabilities. For resources and toolkits that can help you make education more inclusive of students with disabilities, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

Poverty and disability: a survey of the literature (PDF format, 3.2 MB)
www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2000/12/15/000094946_0011210532099/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf This frequently cited review summarizes the literature up until 1999 on disability and its relationship to poverty, as mediated by education, employment, income, and access to basic social services. By Ann Elwan; published by the World Bank in 1999; 51 pages.

Poverty

These materials share information about the status of poverty among people with disabilities. For resources and toolkits that can help you bring more people with disabilities out of poverty, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates , both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

FAO working in support of persons with disabilities (PDF format, 293 KB)
www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc8docs/ahc8fao1.pdf
Discusses the connection between poverty, disability, nutrition, and agricultural production. Shares information on projects by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) targeted at rural people with disabilities. Written for people who share an interest in mainstreaming disability in development policy and practice.

International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC)
www.iddc.org.uk/
IDDC promotes the rights of people with disabilities through collaboration and the exchange of information. Has links to publications on a range of topics related to disability and development and key topics such as HIV/AIDS. Click on “disability and development topics.”

World Institute on Disability (WID)
www.wid.org/
Founded by leaders in the independent living movement, WID works to strengthen the disability movement through research, training, advocacy and public education. Has some publications and other web content on international development.

Disability, poverty reduction and social development
www.independentliving.org/docs1/dpidi2992.html
Describes the links between poverty and disability; emphasizes the Asia-Pacific region. Published by Disability International in 1999.

Poverty and disability: breaking the vicious cycle through inclusion
www.id21.org/society/insights46art5.html
Highlights the exclusion of people with disabilities and disability issues from most international development organizations and research. Advocates for mainstreaming disability to help break the link between poverty and disability. Published in Insights newsletter in 2003.

To what extent are disabled people included in international development work? How can the barriers to inclusion be overcome? (PDF format, 69 KB)
www.chronicpoverty.org/pubfiles/Yeo.pdf
Examines the extent to which international development organizations in the UK include people with disabilities in their work. Explores strategies used to overcome these barriers. This 17-page report was published by the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) in 2003.

Applying the capabilities approach in examining disability, poverty, and gender (PDF format, 33 KB)
www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/vhi/nussbaum/papers/welch.pdf
Discusses the connections among poverty, disability, and gender; examines similarities between broader gender issues and disability issues as they relate to poverty. This 13-page paper was completed in 2002.

Chronic poverty and disability in Uganda (PDF format, 168 KB)
www.chronicpoverty.org/pubfiles/lwangaNtale.pdf
Discusses what is known about disability and chronic poverty in Uganda and efforts to address the problem. Proposes policy intervention to include people with disabilities in Uganda’s development process. Published by the Chronic Poverty Research Centre in 2003.

Poverty and disability: a survey of the literature (PDF format, 3.2 MB)
www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2000/12/15/000094946_0011210532099/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf This frequently-cited review summarizes the literature up until 1999 on disability and its relationship to poverty, as mediated by education, employment, income, and access to basic social services. By Ann Elwan; published by the World Bank in 1999; 51 pages.

Chronic poverty and disability
www.chronicpoverty.org/pdfs/04Yeo.pdf
Describes how poverty and disability are interconnected with each other. Includes two case studies on programs in India and Uganda that are attempting to break the cycle of poverty among people with disabilities. By Rebecca Yeo, published by the Crhonic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) in 2001.

Disability, poverty and development (PDF format, 462 kb)
www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/disability.pdf
This 17-page policy document from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) discusses disability in relation to poverty and human rights and how the rights and needs of people with disabilities can be mainstreamed into poverty reduction work and the achievement of human rights.

Disability, poverty, and HIV and AIDS
v1.dpi.org/lang-en/resources/details?page=326
Summarizes what was learned through a study in Zimbabwe on the links among disability, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. Published by Disabled Peoples’ International in 2002.

Poverty, disability and impairment in the developing world (PDF format, 63 KB)
www.disabilitykar.net/pdfs/odg-summary.pdf
Defines disability and impairment, with an emphasis on the social model of disability. Discusses how disability, impairment, and poverty are linked; calls for mainstreaming disability issues into all development projects. Published in 2003.

Hear Our Voices: A Global Report: People with an Intellectual Disability and their Families Speak Out on Poverty and Exclusion
www.inclusion-international.org/en/report/index.html
In researching this report, Inclusion International spoke with people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and supporters in more than 80 countries about the experience of intellectual disability and poverty. It combines personal with secondary research sources to analyze how well each of the eight internationally agreed-upon Millennium Development Goals for fighting poverty are being met for people with intellectual disabilities. The report makes recommendations for how to end poverty and exclusion among people with intellectual disabilities.

Employment

These materials share information about the current status of employment among people with disabilities. For resources and toolkits that can help you bring more people with disabilities into the workforce, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

The Right to Decent Work of People with Disabilities (PDF format, 393 KB)
www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/skills/disability/download/right.pdf This report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), by Arthur O’Reilly, describes the challenges that people with disabilities around the world face in employment, including unemployment; low-paid jobs; accessibility in the workplace and to transportation and housing; and prejudice among co-workers. Also describes what is being done to remove these barriers and integrate workers with disabilities into the workforce. Currently available in English, French (PDF, 411 KB), Spanish (PDF, 396 KB), and Amharic (989 KB). Translations to Arabic, Bahasa, Hindi, Japanese, Kiswahili, Mandarin, Mongolian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, and Vietnamese are forthcoming, and should become available from the ILO list of publications.

Crisis Situations (Natural Disasters, Wars, Etc.)

These materials share information about the challenges that people with disabilities face during disasters and wars. For resources and toolkits that can help you improve this situation, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

African conflicts and the disability toll
www.disabilityworld.org/06-08_04/gov/conflicts.shtmlDiscusses the relationship between disability and conflict in Africa, with a particular focus on Rwanda and Darfur. Published in Disability World in 2004.

Call for a disability-adjusted response to the Tsunami disaster (PDF format, 179 KB)
www.dcdd.nl/data/1113294732590_DCDD%20newsletter%2010.pdf This issue of the DCDD Newsletter as a whole focuses on Empowerment and Disability. The article on pages 5 and 6 discusses how people with disabilities are commonly forgotten in emergency systems and do not benefit from most emergency relief systems. Published in 2005.

Disability in conflict and emergency situations: focus on tsunami-affected areas (Word format, 1.7 MB)
www.disabilitykar.net/docs/thematic_conflict.doc
This 63-page research report investigates the extent to which people with disabilities were included in emergency programs after the tsunami in Asia. Produced for the UK Department for International Development’s disability knowledge and research programme (Disability KaR) in 2005. The 6-page executive summary (Word format, 630 KB) can be downloaded separately.

Disability and conflict: report of an IDDC Seminar May 29th -June 4th 2000 (Word format, 664 KB)
www.iddc.org.uk/dis_dev/key_issues/dis_confl_rep.doc
This 66-page report from the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) documents the situation of people with disabilities during pre-conflict, acute conflict, and post-conflict situations. Discusses strategies that can be used to help in each, including the role of DPOs and how to mobilize both human resources and financial resources. Parts of this report are now dated—for example, some major mainstream donors have made progress since the year 2000 in incorporating disability into their major strategies. But some broader information about the challenges people with disabilities face is still current in many conflict situations today.

Disasters, disability and rehabilitation (PDF format, 414 KB)
www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/other_injury/disaster_disability2.pdf This two-page hand out from the World Health Organization describes the difficulties that people with disabilities face after disasters. Has a particular focus on rehabilitation needs and assistive devices. Discusses both the immediate aftermath of a disaster and the long-term reconstruction phase. First published in 2005.

Looking with a disability lens at the disaster caused by the tsunami in South East Asia (PDF format, 63 KB)
www.addc.org.au/webdocs/Emergencies%20&%20Conflict/Reports/CBM_PAPER_Looking%20with%20dis%20lens%20at%20disaster%20caused%20by%20Tsunami_Jan2005.pdf Presents anecdotal evidence about the challenges that people with disabilities face during and after acute emergencies, including mortality rates. This 7-page document was produced by the Australian Development Gateway in 2005 shortly after the South East Asian tsunami.

People with disabilities in crisis response (PDF format, 394 KB)
www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/recon/crisis/download/disabled.pdf This 4-page handout from the International Labour Organization (ILO) describes some of the challenges that people with disabilities need after crisis situations and the types of services that they may need. Also describes ILO programs responding to these needs. Published in 2003.

Towards real assistance to landmine victims: the position of Handicap International (PDF format, 204 kb)
www.handicap-international.org.uk/pdfs/Assistance_to_victimesGB.pdf
Discusses the landmine ban treaty; the kinds of assistance people with disabilities need, particularly landmine victims; and ethical issues related to providing services for landmine victims. Released by Handicap International in December 2000.

Impact of the South Asian Earthquake on Disabled People in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
wecando.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/paper-impact-of-south-asian-earthquake-on-disabled-people/
This article, by Parvinder Singh, describes the experiences of people with disabilities in India and Pakistan in the weeks following the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. People with disabilities faced barriers in obtaining the same aid and services available to survivors without disabilities. Lists recommendations for change. This article was originally published in Volume 3, Issue 3 (2007) of The Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal.

[Anchor] Disabilities Among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations (PDF format, 953 KB)
www.womenscommission.org/resources/disabilities/disab_rep.pdf
Released by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children in June 2008, this is the first major report to focus on displaced people with disabilities. Examines the availability of services for refugees with disabilities, including in education; vocational training; health care services; prosthetics; and physical rehabilitation. Also identifies barriers that often make it difficult for refugees with disabilities to obtain services or live independently within refugee camps. Makes recommendations for improving services and accessibility. Also see the entry on “Resource Kit for Fieldworkers” for accessibility checklists.

IDRM: Disability and Early Tsunami Relief Efforts in India, Indonesia and Thailand (PDF format, 1.2 MB)
www.idrmnet.org/pdfs/TsunamiReport.pdf
This report evaluates the availability and accessibility of critical services for people with disabilities during relief and reconstruction efforts after the December 2004 tsunami in Asia. This report, a joint project of the Center for International Rehabilitation and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, was released in September 2005.

People with Specific Disabilities

Many disability-related reports attempt to discuss all disability groups simultaneously. But the circumstances people face may be different depending on what type of disability they have. Look here for relevant information. For resources and toolkits that can help you improve their human rights situation, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates , both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

HIV and AIDS and disability (PDF format, 1.4 MB)
v1.dpi.org/files/uploads/reports/VSO%20HIV%20disAb%20full.pdf
Shares information exchanged at a national conference held on HIV, AIDS, and disability in Namibia in 2003. Disseminated by the National Federation for People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN), this 32-page report discusses HIV/AIDS in relation to deaf and hard of hearing people; people with visual impairments; people with intellectual disabilities; people with mobility impairments; and in relation to women.

4th All Africa Wheelchair Congress Report (PDF format, 446 KB)
www.independentliving.org/docs7/pawba-tatcot200709.pdf
Summarizes a series of remarks, panel discussions, and other conference sessions on how to promote appropriate wheelchair services across the African continent. The Congress was held in September 2007 in Tanzania. Refers in passing to Articles 9 (Accessibility) and 20 (Personal Mobility) in the CRPD.

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters Country Reports 2007
www.wasli.org/PDFs/GM2007/WASLI%20Country%20Report%202007%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf This 2007 report in PDF format (2.8 MB) shares information about the situation of sign language interpreters for deaf people in dozens of countries around the world including Botswana, Cambodia, Croatia Ethiopia, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, and Serbia.

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters Country Reports 2005 (PDF format, 1 MB)
www.wasli.org/PDFs/WASLI%20Country%20Report%20FINAL.pdf
This 2005 report shares information about the situation of sign language interpreters for deaf people in countries including Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Report on Continental-Wide Sensitization Workshop on HIV/AIDS for Deaf Population in Africa
siteresources.worldbank.org/DISABILITY/Resources/News---Events/BBLs/ADUReport.pdf
This report summarizes the results of a workshop on HIV/AIDS targeted at deaf people from across Africa. It includes information about the challenges that make it difficult to educate deaf people, including deaf women, about AIDS. Also includes information about strategies being used to reach deaf people in Africa.

Atlas: Global Resources for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
www.who.int/entity/mental_health/evidence/atlas_id_2007.pdf
This Atlas from the World Health Organization (WHO) gives an overview of the extent to which resources and services for children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities are available throughout all the member states of WHO. This includes information on health services; education; services specific to intellectual disabilities; work-related services such as sheltered or supported employment and vocational training; services to families; and other types of services such as leisure activities, transportation, assistive technology, rights or advocacy support, or food/meal supplies.

Hear Our Voices: A Global Report: People with an Intellectual Disability and their Families Speak Out on Poverty and Exclusion
www.inclusion-international.org/en/report/
In researching this report, Inclusion International spoke with people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and supporters in more than 80 countries about the experience of intellectual disability and poverty. It combines personal with secondary research sources to analyze how well each of the eight internationally agreed-upon Millennium Development Goals for fighting poverty are being met for people with intellectual disabilities. The report makes recommendations for how to end poverty and exclusion among people with intellectual disabilities.

PsychRights: Law Project for Psychiatric Rights, United Nations
psychrights.org/Countries/UN/UN.htm
On this page you can find a range of publications related to the CRPD, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between psychiatry and human rights. Includes documents such as a position paper by the International Disability Alliance on the CRPD; a paper on forced interventions and institutionalization as torture; human rights and psychiatry; and more. At the PsychRights website.

Mental Disabilities Rights International Reports and Publications
www.mdri.org/mdri-reports-publications.html
MDRI has extensively documented human rights abuses against people with intellectual and psycho-social disabilities in institutions in several countries around the world. This page allows readers to download the resulting reports in PDF format. The listing includes reports on abuses in Argentina, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Turkey, Hungary, and Uruguay. Some publications are available in languages other than English, usually including the primary language used in the target country.

Mental Disability Advocacy Center
www.mdac.info/
Advances the human rights of children and adults with actual or perceived intellectual or psycho-social disabilities. Focuses on Europe and Central Asia. Has information on the human rights situation in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Serbia, and Slovakia. Offers a training package based on the European Convention on Human Rights in multiple European languages. Has links to various international human rights instruments and international human rights organizations. Has web content in Hungarian.

World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Improvement for Nations’ Development (MIND)
www.who.int/mental_health/policy/en/
The WHO MIND project is focused on promoting access to mental health services and access to human rights for people with psycho-social disabilities. Their web site has more information about WHO’s mental health projects in countries around the world; information about policies affecting people with psycho-social disabilities; mental health and human rights; and mental health, poverty, and development.

Mental health and development: from the local to the global. The involvement of mentally ill people in the development process (Word format, 66 KB)
www.aifo.it/english/resources/online/apdrj/selread102/underhill.doc
Based on practical experience at the local and regional level, the author argues that people with psychosocial disabilities should be and can be involved with the process of development work of all kinds. Relies particularly on evidence from India and Sri Lanka in discussing how stigma has barred people with psychosocial disabilities from development processes and why this is a human rights issue.

HIV/AIDS

Information related to HIV/AIDS among people with disabilities. For related resources and toolkits, see the sections on Human Rights Resources for Professionals and Advocates Working with Them and Human Rights Resources for Grassroots Advocates, both on the page for CRPD and Other Human Rights Tools and Resources.

AIDS-Free World
www.aids-freeworld.org/
Promotes more urgent and effective global responses to HIV/AIDS. Has a range of relevant documents and resources, including some that are specific to HIV/AIDS among people with disabilities. Their resource guide on AIDS and Disability has links to an extensive collection of papers, reports, newsletters, publications, and other informational resources related to HIV/AIDS among people with disabilities.

AIDS and Disability: Tenuous Impracticality or Strategic Alliance (PDF format, 27 KB)
www.aids-freeworld.org/images/stories/theagenda/%239%20Tenuous%20Impracticality%20or%20Strategic%20Alliance.pdf Discusses the challenges that have prevented closer collaboration between mainstream HIV/AIDS advocacy efforts and disability advocacy efforts, as well as the strengths of efforts that have been made to bridge these gaps within the past few years. Presented at the meeting of the Canadian Association of Disability Studies in May 2007; 4 pages. Available from AIDS-Free World.

HIV/AIDS and Disability Global Survey
cira.med.yale.edu/globalsurvey/
This web site—a joint project of Yale University and the World Bank—offers statistics and data related to HIV and AIDS among people with disabilities around the world; several reports based on a global survey on the topic; links to more research about HIV and AIDS among people with disabilities. Also offers resources helpful for DPOs working on issues related to HIV/AIDS.

Disability and HIV/AIDS: at a glance (PDF format, 39 KB)
v1.dpi.org/files/uploads/publications/factsheet.pdf
This four-page fact sheet published by the World Bank in November 2004 reviews what is known about the risk of HIV/AIDS among people with disabilities and what can be done to help.

Other Thematic Areas

Reports on the conditions that people with disabilities face in miscellaneous thematic areas such as water and sanitation; independent living; etc.

Water and Sanitation for All: Improving Accessibility for Disabled People and Other Vulnerable Groups
wedc.lboro.ac.uk/projects/new_projects3.php?id=60
The Water, Engineering, and Development Center at Loughborough University provides this list of links to articles and resources related to water and sanitation access for disabled people. Includes reports on water and sanitation projects for people with disabilities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Uganda, and elsewhere. Some of the links lead to resources that can be downloaded, usually in PDF format, for free.

Independent Living Movement in Developing Countries
tinyurl.com/2eeldt
This paper by Shoji Nakanishi describes the status of the independent living movement for people with disabilities with reference to the Philippines, Brazil, South Korea, Thailand, and Pakistan.

Country-Level Reports

Find reports, articles, or other information on the specific country that interests you below. The resources in this section are ordered alphabetically by country name in English. Please note that information on the seven DRF target countries (Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Namibia, Nicaragua, Peru, and Uganda) is on a separate page entitled “Resources for DRF Target Countries.”

Here, find materials relevant to Cambodia, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Russia, Rwanda and Sudan, South Africa, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Cambodia

Status of Motor Disabled People in the Agricultural and Rural Sector of Cambodia
www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/sustdev/ppdirect/PPan0011.htm
By Marc Bonnet, posted July 1997 at the Sustainable Development Department (SDD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). Provides estimated demographics of disability in the Cambodian population. Highlights conditions for disabled people in rural Cambodia in relation to socio-economic status; education and training; health and rehabilitation; empowerment of disabled people; and prospects for income earning. Includes recommendations for action. In English, available for free, in HTML.

China

Disability statistics in the People's Republic of China
www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/asia/resource/z00ap/003/z00ap00308.htm Analyzes surveys that attempt to measure how many people with disabilities there are in China, and how disability is classified. Originally published in the Asia and Pacific Journal on Disability in 1998.

El Salvador

A Recent History of the Disability Rights Movement in El Salvador
upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1384/1/
News story on the history of the disability rights movement in El Salvador; includes a discussion of the country's ratification of the CRPD and the results. Also discusses the 12-year civil war, land mines, land mine victims, and disability-related legislation in the country. In English.

Guatemala

National Monitoring Mechanisms of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PDF format, 6.1 MB)
www.demotemp360.nic.in/2008/0805_libro_discapacidad.pdf
This book publishes articles on how the CRPD can help transform society; how National Institutions can be key catalysts of change; the experience of the Canadian human rights commission on defending the human rights of people with disabilities; the role of civil society in monitoring human rights; the Guatemalan experience with monitoring mechanisms the CRPD; the role of the People’s Defender of Peru in protecting and promoting rights of people with disabilities; and best practices in the promotion, defense, and vigilance of human rights in Venezuela. Each chapter is presented in Spanish, English, and French. Published by the Mexican National Commission of Human Rights.

India

People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes
go.worldbank.org/48NBTTBRJ0
This World Bank report describes the conditions that people with India face in pursuing an education and employment; overcoming stigma; and lifting themselves out of poverty. Also discusses the incidence rate of disability. The full report can be downloaded in PDF format (1.8 MB), or it can be downloaded in individual chapters.

Punarbhava Interactive Web Portal for People with Disabilities in India
punarbhava.in/
Provides data on people with disabilities in India; information on national and international laws affecting people with disabilities in India; and other information relevant to people with disabilities, non-government organizers, policy makers, and people working in the disability sector. This web portal is an initiative of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and Media Lab Asia.

Delhi Takes Long Strides to be Barrier Free Within This Year
www.hindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012656540400.htm
This news article describes plans to make the city of New Delhi, India, more accessible to people with disabilities. It was printed in the January 26, 2008, on-line edition of India’s national newspaper, The Hindu.

News Story: Five Disabled Men Die During Protest in Varanasi
www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070021088 News story covers a protest by people with disabilities in Varanasi, India, in which participants stated that the government had taken away their shops and livelihood. Some of the protesters drank pesticide as part of their protest.

Kenya

State of Disabled People’s Rights in Kenya (2007) Report
www.yorku.ca/drpi/Kenya07.html#startContent
This collaborative effort from the African Union of the Blind and Disability Rights Promotion International analyzes national and regional Kenyan legislation on disability; government programs and policies on disability; and case law in disability. The report also presents the results of interviews with people with disabilities in three selected regions within Kenya about their human rights situation, in respect to dignity, autonomy, equality, and inclusion. An overview of the disability rights movement in Kenya is given.

Malawi

Violence Against Girls Who are Blind and Visually Impaired in Schools in Malawi
wecando.wordpress.com/2007/10/06/violence-against-blindvi-girls-in-malawi/
This article discusses violence against girls in Malawi schools who are blind or have visual impairments. The author, Abigail Suka, makes recommendations for how to address the problem.

Living conditions among people with activity limitations in Malawi: a national representative study (PDF format, 600 KB)
www.safod.org/Images/LCMalawi.pdf
This 179-page report is based on a study about the livelihoods of people with mobility impairments in Malawi. Includes a discussion of employment, education, living conditions, and services for people with disabilities.

Fighting for the Rights of People with Disabilities in Malawi
voanews.com/english/archive/2007-10/2007-10-10-voa48.cfm?CFID=2357756&CFTOKEN=26184944
Tells the story of an activist and his fight for human rights for people with disabilities in Malawi. The activist, Mussa Chiwaula, has used a wheelchair since age 4 when he had polio.

Mozambique

Nigeria

Equalizing Education Opportunity for the Nigerian-Ghanaian Blind Girl Child
wecando.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/paper-equalizing-educational-opportunity-for-the-nigerian-ghanaian-blind-girl-child/
This paper, by Florence Banku Obi, discusses the education situation for blind girls and boys in Nigeria and Ghana and how gender impacts opportunity. This paper was originally presented at the 12th International Council for Education of People with visual Impairments (ICEVI) World Conference held in Malaysia in July 2006.

Russia

Early Intervention Program for Blind Children in Russia
wecando.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/case-study-early-intervention-for-blind-children/
This article written by Irina Germanova Sumarokova shares information about conditions facing pre-school aged children in Russia who are blind or have visual impairments. Also shares the story of an early intervention program targeted at these children.

Rwanda, Sudan

African conflicts and the disability toll
www.disabilityworld.org/06-08_04/gov/conflicts.shtml
Discusses the relationship between disability and conflict in Africa, with a particular focus on Rwanda and Darfur. Published in Disability World in 2004.

South Africa

On the Margins: Violence Against Women with Disabilities
www.csvr.org.za/docs/gender/onthemargins.pdf
This report (in PDF format, 341 KB, published April 2005) studies the situation of gender-based violence toward women with disabilities in South Africa. It includes a discussion of the lack of services available to women with disabilities who confront violence. Written by Ereshnee Naidu, Sadiyya Haffejee, Lisa Vetten, and Samantha Hargreaves, this research project was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa.

The Law Has Been the Instrument of Our Oppression
www.africandecade.org/reads/articles/legalcapacityarticle/view
In this interview, South African advocate David Stolper talks about how he thinks the CRPD will help protect the human rights of people with psycho-social disabilities.

Venezuela

Zimbabwe

Report on Disabled People in Zimbabwe
www.ciir.org/progressio/s/basket/93639/the_forgotten_tribe__people_with_disabilities_in_z/ Report entitled “The forgotten tribe: People with disabilities in Zimbabwe” shares the experiences of people with disabilities, the discrimination they face in Zimbabwe, and their exclusion from the usual government and civil society sources of aid. Written by Tsitsi Chorumi, published by Progressio. In English. Can be downloaded for free in PDF format (283 KB).

Disability and HIV & AIDS: a participatory rapid assessment of the vulnerability, impact, and coping mechanisms of parents of disabled children on HIV & AIDS (88 KB)
www.asksource.info/pdf/32681_PRAdishivparents_2004.pdf
This 16 page study conducted in Zimbabwe reports that parents of children with disabilities tend to be at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Disability and HIV & AIDS: a participatory rapid assessment of the vulnerability, impact and coping mechanisms of the disabled people on HIV/AIDS (PDF format, 114 KB)
www.asksource.info/pdf/32680_PRAdishiv_2004.pdf
Study reports findings in Zimbabwe that people with disabilities encounter misconceptions related to HIV and disability that increases their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS; people with disabilities have limited access to HIV/AIDS information and limited use of HIV/AIDS services.