Disability Inclusive Disaster Recovery : Guidance Note

The impacts of disasters and the related recovery and reconstruction needs of individuals and communities vary. An estimated 15 percent of the world’s population have a disability with 100 million people experiencing serious difficulties functioning. The convention on the rights of person with disabilities (CRPD) places emphasis on the barrier’s persons with disabilities face and that contribute to exclusion from all aspects of life. In comparison to persons without disabilities, persons with disabilities frequently experience lower educational attainment; fewer work opportunities and lower household incomes; higher unmet health needs; and higher household expenditure on transportation and health. Post-disaster recovery presents the opportunity to build back better and to reduce the underlying risk factors that contribute to disproportionate risk. This guidance note provides action-oriented guidance for government officials and decision makers with responsibility for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. The guidance will enable the development of disability inclusive planning and programming across sectors and government. The note is organized around the following topics: key principles for disability-inclusive recovery; disability data for post disaster needs assessment and inclusive recovery; enabling policies and legislation for disability-inclusive recovery; institutional mechanisms for inclusive recovery; financing mechanisms; and implementation arrangements.