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Every learner matters: Unpacking the learning crisis for children with disabilities

McCLAIN-NHLAPO, Charlotte
et al
June 2019

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This paper was developed by the World Bank in partnership with Leonard Cheshire and Inclusion International. It is an attempt to add knowledge to the current understanding of the importance of learning achievements, with a focus on children with disabilities. While the premise is that inclusive education refers to the inclusion of all children, the focus of this paper is on children with disabilities.

The aim of the paper is to:

  • Provide an evidence-based review of educational participation of children with disabilities.
  • Establish a case for focusing on learning achievements for students with disabilities.
  • Take stock of current mechanisms of measurement of learning outcomes and review their inclusivity.
  • Explore evidence of practice and systems which promote disability-inclusive learning for all. 

Four case studies are provided - from Pakistan, South Africa, Canada and UK.

Realisation of sustainable development goals by, for and with persons with disabilities: UN flagship report on disability and development 2018

UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (UNDESA)
December 2018

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This report represents the first UN systemwide effort to examine disability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level. The report reviews data, policies and programmes and identifies good practices; and uses the evidence it reviewed to outline recommended actions to promote the realization of the SDGs for persons with disabilities. Over 200 experts from UN agencies and International Financial Institutions, Member States and civil society, including research institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities, contributed to this report. The report covers new areas for which no global research was previously available, for example, the role of access to energy to enable persons with disabilities to use assistive technology. It also contains the first global compilation and analysis of internationally comparable data using the Washington Group on Disability Statistics short set of questions. Reviews of legislation from 193 UN Member States were conducted and analysed for this report to highlight good practices and to assess the current status of discriminatory laws on voting, election for office, right to marry and others

Global report on the participation of organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) in VNR (voluntary national review) processes

INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY ALLIANCE (IDA)
STAKEHOLDER GROUP OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
2017

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"This global report raises awareness for DPOs and how to engage with their governments in the national consultation processes on SDG implementation. This case study features the volunteering countries of Argentina, Bangladesh, Denmark, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, Sweden and Togo.

The information summarised in the country chapters was derived from DPOs and partners working at the national level on SDG implementation and information may be subjective. The country chapters are structured to include; status of persons with disabilities, engagement in the voluntary national review process, thematic issues--poverty alleviation, healthcare, women with disabilities and accessibility—and analysis of the submitted VNR report

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities (theme: the right of persons with disabilities to social protection)

DEVANDAS-AGUILAR, Catalina
August 2015

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'In the present report, the Special Rapporteur, Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, provides a study focusing on disability-inclusive social protection as a prerequisite for the universalization of social protection. She stresses that social protection is fundamental for achieving the social inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities, and promoting their active citizenship. She also argues that to achieve disability-inclusive social protection, States must move away from traditional disability-welfare approaches towards embracing the innovative rights based model'

A report about the rights of people with disabilities around the world

OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OHCHR)
August 2015

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This is an easy read version of the 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities' about social protection. "Social protection helps governments make sure everyone can live well. Social protection is things that give everyone the same chances in life. For example: having enough food, basic healthcare, going to school, and money to help pay for the things you need if you cannot work or earn enough. The report says what this means for people with disabilities"

Note: the full report is available below as a related record

Equal rights at the heart of the post-2015 development agenda : position paper in response to the report of the high-level panel of eminent persons on the post-2015 development agenda

EQUAL RIGHTS TRUST
September 2013

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This position paper calls for the adoption of comprehensive equality legislation to be included as a specific development goal in the framework established to succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The paper argues that a failure to address inequality has been one of the undeniable failings of the MDGs. It presents research to illustrate that status-based discrimination is a driver of both income poverty and denial of access to economic and social rights, such as education and health, which are central to the current MDG framework. The paper argues that establishing effective legal protection for the rights to equality and non-discrimination can provide an important mechanism for alleviating poverty and its consequences, and concludes that this is only possible with the adoption of comprehensive equality legislation

Disability in the post-2015 framework

WAPLING, Lorraine
November 2012

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"This paper argues that the absence of specific reference to disability in the MDGs has realized in the increased marginalization of persons with disabilities and is contributing towards growing inequalities that are slowing progress at sub-national levels (UNDESA, 2012). Only by making specific reference to disability and including disability as a cross-cutting target with measurable indicators can the post-2015 framework redress the effects of discrimination and exclusion"
Note: Accepted under the "Addressing Inequalities" Global Thematic Consultation - Call for Proposals for Background Papers, Oct 2012

The voices of the marginalised

CAIN, Emma
October 2012

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"Drawing on the experience of four organizations (ADD International, Sightsavers, HelpAge International, Alzheimer’s Disease International), this paper argues the case for a greater focus on horizontal inequalities which relate to social factors of ‘difference’, and which contribute to marginalization. By focusing on the experience of persons with disabilities, older people and people with mental health issues, the paper explores the dynamics and mechanisms which marginalize individuals, and calls for a greater focus on these issues in current and future development frameworks. The paper highlights the importance of bringing the ‘lived experience’ in to the analysis and policymaking process through initiatives such as the ‘Voices of the Marginalized’ research project which promotes the voice and participation of persons with disabilities, older people and people with mental health issues"
Note: Accepted under the "Addressing Inequalities" Global Thematic Consultation - Call for Proposals for Background Papers, Oct 2012

What the global report on disability means for the WASH sector

WILBUR, Jane
August 2011

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"This report gives an overview of the information relevant to the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in the world’s first report on disability. It also highlights how WaterAid is addressing the recommendations in the report, as well as where we could develop our approaches further"

Insight plus : perspectives on social inclusion

SIGHTSAVERS
June 2011

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This newsletter presents information about social inclusion and how working together with disabled people, their families and local communities can break down barriers and ensure that disabled people are able to participate fully in society, receive an education, gain employment and be part of local decision-making processes. Featured case studies include joint efforts towards an accessible electoral process in Cameroon, new ways of working towards social inclusion in Uganda, and campaigning for accessible banking systems in India
Insight Plus, Issue 3

Access to services for persons with disabilities

CHIRIACESCU, Diana
DE BACKER, Maryvonne
BOTOKRO, Rozenn
March 2011

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This practical guide is divided into three sections to present a systematic approach of access to services for people with disabilities. The principles and benchmarks section outlines key factors for accessing services and provides an analysis of the service sector for people with disabilities. The practical guide section presents the steps involved in planning at the programme level, and the toolbox section offers practical tools to implement the proposed techniques. A glossary and comprehensive bibliography are also provided. This resource is useful to those interested in access to service for people with disabilities

Finance for all? policies and pitfalls in expanding access

DEMIRGUC-KUNT, Asli
BECK, Thorsten
HONOHAN, Patrick
2007

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This report is a broad-ranging review of research work focusing on access to finance. It presents indicators to measure financial access, analyzes its determinants, and evaluates the impact of access on growth, equity, and poverty reduction. The report also discusses the role of government in advancing financial inclusion
A World Bank Policy Research Report

Increasing access to essential medicines in the developing world : UK government policy and plans

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID)
June 2004

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The lack of access to essential medicines in developing countries is one of the most pressing global health issues. Tackling this issue could save millions of lives every year. Yet major inequities remain, with a limited supply of affordable medicines and inadequate health systems to deliver them in many developing countries, and a continuing shortage of new products to meet developing country health needs. This paper sets out the UK Government's assessment of the key challenges that must be addressed if we are to increase access to medicines in the developing world. It aims to communicate clearly both this assessment, and its plans. Section 2 sets out the scale of the problem and the relationship between poverty and health; section 3 outlines the issues that developing countries and their partners need to address; section 4 looks at recent progress; and section 5 covers the UK government's key objectives and plans

Reaching the most vulnerable : proposed supplement to the standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities | Report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission for Social Development on monitoring the implementation of th

LINDQVIST, Bengt
2002

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The Standard Rules is one of the most important tools for the inclusion of disabled people. In 2002 the United Nations special rapporteur presented a supplement for the standard rules which aims to fill the gaps within the standard rules and complement its text mentioning poverty alleviation, adequate housing and living conditions, special attention for disabled people in emergency situations, gender aspects and others. At the 42nd session of the Commission for Social Development in February 2004 it was suggested that this supplement for the standard rules be adopted.

Disability and poverty reduction strategies : how to ensure that access of persons with disabilities to decent and productive work is part of the PRSP process

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)
2002

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The World Bank and International Monetary Fund's poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) approach has been widely adopted by many countries. However the examination of current PRSPs shows that disabled people have been forgotten in most of them. This paper summarises reasons why it is important to include disabled people in the PRSP process. It also presents how disabled people should be included in the PRSPs and analyses the way disability has been treated in the PRSP sourcebook

Motivation : freedom through mobility

MOTIVATION

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This website has information about the work of Motivation; an organisation that works to address issues relating to the social, economic and physical situation of disabled people in low income countries, with the ultimate aim to improve quality of life, alleviate poverty and empower disabled people to take part in society. Motivation works in four areas: products and services; capacity; rights; and economic empowerment

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