An estimated 6.7 million persons with disabilities are forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations. In 2008, the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) conducted a study and released a report on Disabilities among Refugee and Conflict-Affected Populations, which identified that persons with disabilities have difficulty accessing humanitarian assistance programs due to a variety of societal, environmental and communication barriers. This increases their protection risks, including violence, abuse and exploitation. There is also growing evidence that rates of violence may be greater among persons with disabilities than their non-disabled peers, which has significant implications for their physical protection in situations of displacement.
WRC consulted with over 770 displaced persons, including persons with disabilities, across refugee and displacement contexts in eight countries – India (New Delhi), Uganda, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Philippines (Mindanao) and Lebanon – gathering their perspectives on access and inclusion in humanitarian programs and their suggestions for change. More than 390 humanitarian actors and stakeholders attended workshops conducted in these countries to define context-specific action plans on disability inclusion in their work sectors and programs. Follow-up assessments and consultations were also conducted in a number of countries to identify positive practices and barriers to the implementation of UNHCR Guidance on Disability at country levels.
Key findings include:
- Children with disabilities consistently report facing stigma and discrimination by their peers, which reduces their access to educational opportunities.
- Adolescents and young persons with disabilities are excluded from peer activities that could facilitate the development of vital social networks.
- Violence against persons with disabilities was reported in all contexts.
- Persons with multiple disabilities and their caregivers, who are often isolated in their shelters, can lack adequate basic supplies to ensure personal hygiene and care.
The report recommends that the UNHCR should:
- provide technical support on disability inclusion to UNHCR country operations;
- conduct a global evaluation of the implementation of the UNHCR Guidance on Disability;
- and advocate for disability inclusion across the wider humanitarian community.
It also recommends that humanitarian and disability actors should:
- support staff and partners to conduct context and program-specific action planning on disability inclusion;
- prioritize ongoing and comprehensive capacity development on disability inclusion for staff, partners and communities;
- reinforce the critical role, skills and capacities of individual case managers in identifying and responding to the protection needs of persons with disabilities;
- monitor disability inclusion in existing programs;
- train staff in organizations delivering specialized services for persons with disabilities on protection mainstreaming principles;
- and raise awareness about refugees and displaced persons in DPO networks.
