Disability trends in some African and Asian countries: policy implications and suggestions

Ramachandran Koduvayur V, Independent Consultant
Soumitra Ghosh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

More and more developing countries focusing on quality of life of their population, have realized that an important socio-economic indicator, a type of poverty/development index is the disability prevalence rate. It is unique in that it estimates the quality of life of survivorship or of persons who escape mortality but continue living with significant modification of function. It provides information and guidance for effective planning, policy and program management. Disability information have been collected through censuses and surveys for more than 30 years in some African and Asian countries. Comparative studies of disability trends by age-sex, rural – urban residence , socio-economic and other characteristics for period 1980-2000 for India, Mauritius , and Zambia are made and identification of gaps and suggestions for future improvements in data are presented. Also existing policies and programs are looked into with an eye on their role in social and economic justice to disabled.