6. Different degrees of disability inclusion
Inclusion is not an 'all-or-nothing' matter. Depending on your context, and on the development issues you deal with, the degree of disability inclusion required will vary.
How to determine the degree of inclusion required for your project- an assessment scale (1)
Here we propose an assessment scale, illustrated by examples. This will support you in determining what degree of disability inclusion is required for any given project. The scale goes from 1 (low degree of inclusion required) to 3 (high level of disability inclusion required). For each degree of disability inclusion, you will find indicators which tell which level is appropriate and examples of specific sectors. You will find practical guidance and recommendations for ensuring a minimum standard of participation of persons with disability in Leaflet 2.
In general, for strategies and projects which are developed to reduce poverty and to improve the well-being of groups of a population, the perspectives of persons with disabilities need to be included. They are part of each target group: women, children, target populations of HIV&AIDS and health programmes etc.
Degree 1 - Low degree of disability inclusion required
When? :
Examples of concerned sectors:
- Veterinary services
- Regional economic integration
- Anti-corruption
- Tax administration, taxpayer's management and effective exchange of information
- Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, etc
Degree 2 - Medium degree of disability inclusion
When? :
- For projects that address the wellbeing of all people (i.e. the whole population or subgroup in the area)
- For projects that focus on essential /basic services
- For projects supporting institutions which implement the types of project mentioned above
- For any of the identified problems/strategies that have a direct or indirect impact on persons with disabilities, their living conditions or prevention of disability.
Examples of concerned sectors:
- Private sector development
- Sustainable land management
- Climate change
- Disaster risk reduction
- Research, science and technology
- Territorial development, etc
Degree 3 - High degree of disability inclusion required
When? :
Examples of concerned sectors:
- Health, including HIV and AIDS
- Education
- Social sector and housing
- Urban development including transport
- Water and sanitation
- Democratisation and human rights
- Information and communication technologies
- Social cohesion and employment
- Energy
- Food security
- Governance
- Conflict prevention
Disability specific projects
In this chapter we are primarily discussing the inclusion of a disability perspective in development projects in general (sometimes called 'mainstreaming'). Another approach is to have 'disability specific' projects. Disability specific projects are designed specifically to empower persons with disabilities. While this manual deals with the disability-inclusive approach, in certain situations, disability specific projects are also necessary.
When are disability specific approaches used?
- For projects that specifically focus on the concerns of persons with disabilities
- For projects supporting institutions that implement these types of projects
Examples of concerned sectors and activities:
- Projects to enhance the capacity/the empowerment of disabled people's organisations
- Projects developed to create equitable access to health/education/habilitation/rehabilitation for persons with disabilities
(1) Adapted from Wiman, R.: The Disability Dimension in Development Action. Manual on Inclusive Planning. Revised on-line version 2003; http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/publications/FF-DisalibilityDim0103_b1.pdf
