Helping disabled people out of the shadows<\/p>\n
Amartya Sen and James Wolfensohn , Jakarta<\/p>\n
Disabled people are not only the most deprived human beings in
\nthe developing world, they are also the most neglected. As the
\nworld marks the International Day of Disabled Persons this week,
\nit is important to acknowledge that more than 600 million people
\nin the world live with some form of disability. More than 400
\nmillion of them live in developing countries, often amidst
\npoverty, isolation and despair. Not only are they, typically, the
\npoorest of the poor, but they also need more money and help than
\nable-bodied people to overcome their handicaps, and attempt to
\nlive normal lives.<\/p>\n
As if the many hardships are not painful enough, disabled
\npeople can face exclusion and discrimination at the hands of
\ntheir fellow citizens, even their own families who fear they will
\nbe tarnished by association. For example, many disabled children,
\nwhether deaf or in wheelchairs, are denied an education. Disabled
\npeople are at increased risk of contracting HIV\/AIDS due to
\nphysical and sexual abuse, and a lack of preventive outreach
\ntailored specifically for disabled people. And yet, experience
\nshows that in countries where people with disabilities have
\ngreater access to their broader communities, they can flourish.<\/p>\n
It is estimated that at least ten percent of the developing
\nworld's population is disabled in one way or another. In fact,
\nsome estimates put the figure closer to twenty percent. Not only
\ndo these deprived people deserve It is estimated that at least
\nten percent of the developing world's population is disabled in
\none way or another. In fact, some estimates put the figure closer
\nto twenty percent.<\/p>\n
Not only do these people deserve the right to global attention
\nbecause of the extreme nature of their deprivation, but it is
\nalso important to recognize the impossibility of achieving large
\nreductions in poverty and illiteracy in the world (as demanded by
\nthe Millennium Development Goals, endorsed by more than 180 world
\nleaders in September, 2000), unless special efforts are made to
\nbring disabled people into the mainstream.<\/p>\n
Take the case of education. An estimated 40 million of the
\nmore than 100 million children out of school have disabilities.
\nAnd yet most of our schools are built without access for children
\nwho have physical disabilities, and most teachers are not trained
\nto deal with children who have handicaps of one kind or another,
\nincluding learning disability.<\/p>\n
However, with some basic social help, the terrible
\nconsequences of disability can be substantially overcome. It is
\nalso important to see that most disabilities are preventable.
\nOnly a small proportion of the 600 million people living with
\ndisabilities were born that way. For example, malnutrition and
\nlack of access to clean water can lead to blindness.<\/p>\n
Other disabilities can result from HIV\/AIDS, measles. polio,
\nroad crashes, injuries at work or from discarded mines and
\nunexploded ordinance. While a rapidly aging population creates a
\ngrowing source of disabling conditions, the incidence of
\ndisability can be significantly reduced through well-designed
\nsocial and medical attention.<\/p>\n
As we consider how best to respond to the needs of disabled
\npeople in poor countries, it is important to understand that
\nsimple and inexpensive solutions do exist in many cases. For
\nexample, during renovation or restoration efforts in the wake of
\nnatural disasters or conflicts, it is possible to make sure that
\nthe newly built or repaired buildings are made accessible to
\npeople with disabilities, and this can add very little to the
\ncosts involved. Take another example, the movements of disabled
\nand old people can often be restricted by high curbs that flank
\ntheir streets, but, as a good many countries have already shown,
\nthese curb designs can be changed at little cost.<\/p>\n
Also, many people are in a gray area with mild to moderate
\nmental health disorders or intellectual disabilities or physical
\nhandicaps. Policies that can help them join the mainstream of
\nsociety can certainly be devised. A number of developing country
\ngovernments are working with national disability groups to
\novercome restrictive barriers.<\/p>\n
In Brazil, which is one of the first developing countries to
\nimprove its collection of disability data, surveys showed that
\nlarge numbers of children with significant visual disabilities
\nsimply needed spectacles. The World Bank has been closely
\ninvolved in these efforts, both in terms of providing glasses,
\nhearing aids, and other interventions, but also in gathering
\nbetter statistics on people's disabilities and their
\nconsequences.<\/p>\n
In this latter respect, social scientists also have a
\nresponsibility to investigate the incidence of different
\nhandicaps and their remedies. But change can happen on a larger
\nscale too. A World Bank funded project in Vietnam is supporting
\na National Task Force to develop a set of guidelines for
\ninclusive education, and will help teachers improve their
\nclassroom practice so that children with disabilities can learn
\nbeside other children.<\/p>\n
As we approach this year's International Day of Disabled
\nPersons, we have to be determined to bring disabled people out of
\nthe shadowy world in which they are typically confined. This task
\ndemands more global cooperation, involving national and
\ninternational institutions as well as organizations of disabled
\npeople themselves. The United Nations is working on a Convention
\non the Rights of Disabled People to help move disabled people
\nfrom exclusion to inclusion.<\/p>\n
Disabled people want what we all want: the chance to get
\neducated, find rewarding work, lead worthwhile lives, and be
\nvalued members of their community and in the world at large.
\nThese desires need not be just idle dreams, since much can be
\nachieved if we are ready to give this extensive problem the
\nattention and commitment it demands. We need to mobilize the
\ndetermination to do just exactly that.<\/p>\n
Amartya Sen, a Nobel Prize winner for economics, is Thomas W.
\nLamont University Professor of Economics at Harvard University;
\nJames D. Wolfensohn is President of the World Bank Group and a
\nformer Board chairman of the International Federation of Multiple
\nSclerosis Societies.<\/p>",
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