Visibility and inclusion: advancing the case of children with disabilities, PgII

Key Highlights:

• A UNICEF report highlights disparities in access to rights for nearly 108 million children with disabilities in Asia-Pacific.
• Many children with disabilities lack birth certificates, hindering access to basic rights like health, education, and social protection.
• India lacks comprehensive disaggregated data on the health and well-being of children with disabilities beyond Census data.
• The Incheon Strategy aims to expand early intervention and education for children with disabilities in Asia-Pacific.
• COVID-19 disrupted education, disproportionately affecting children needing special education.

Detailed Insights:

• Lack of disaggregated data on children with disabilities in vital surveys like the National Family Health Survey results in undercounting and hinders targeted interventions.
• Parents with disabilities face significant challenges navigating healthcare and government systems to access support for their children, including interventions, school admissions, and immunization.
• The medical model of disability focuses on curing impairments, while the social and rights-based model emphasizes removing societal barriers and promoting inclusion.
• Accessible learning environments, early identification, intervention capacity, and inclusive teaching are crucial but unevenly available, hindering educational attainment for children with disabilities.
• Accessible disability benefits, public transport, and inclusive labor markets are essential to create an ecosystem that supports the development and participation of children with disabilities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Disaggregated Data: Data broken down into detailed sub-categories, allowing for specific analysis of subgroups like children with disabilities.
• Incheon Strategy: A framework to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
• Early Intervention: Support and services provided to young children with disabilities to promote their development and well-being.