Statistics for Evidence Based Policy

Basic questions are often asked by programme managers when calling for statistical information on disability and rehabilitation related topics. The most commonly asked question is based on the number of disabled persons there are in the population.  Few users of disability statistics, however, would be satisfied knowing only the total number of persons affected. Therefore, a host of additional questions would arise. 

For example, rehabilitation programme planners would need to determine the kind and frequency of disability that occurs within the population. To target services appropriately, they would also need to determine how the prevalence of disability varies by age group, gender and geographical area. 

Computing the prevalence of disability in different geographical areas of a country − using a unified definition of disability and standardized collection tools and computation of indicators − could reveal that prevalence rates are higher in some areas than others, and thus should be targeted by rehabilitation programmes or prioritized when regarding building accessible infrastructure. 

Health planners may want to determine the number of disabled persons who have no access to the needed special appliances or aids. However, the special appliances or aids must be defined, the population of interest (people with disabilities who need special appliances or aids) identified, and who within the population of interest do not have access to needed appliances or aids determined. 

Education planners may want to determine the percentage of school-age children with disabilities who are in school. However, more information would be needed regarding the total number of children with and without disabilities, both in and out of school. Thus, estimates can be created to compare the attendance rates of children with and without disabilities.

Planners within the Ministry of Labor may want to determine what percentage of adults with disabilities are economically active and how it compares with the percentage of non-disabled adults. Similarly, planners within the Ministry or Department of Social Welfare may want to determine the number of persons with disabilities receiving social services who require fu ll-time care from a family member or another person, which is critical to understanding the full economic impact of disability. However, this cannot be determined without systematic information on the number of people with disabilities in the population and the extent to which they depend on others for care.  

The National Council on Disability (NCD) in a country wishing to determine the barriers faced by persons with disabilities may ask if persons with disabilities are able to use public transport that is available to all. If a negative answer is given, the NCD will then need to determine the reasons for this. The answers to these types of questions go beyond the simple identification of people with disabilities and, therefore, must be addressed accordingly. 

For example, the answers could determine how the environment must be further adapted to include persons with disabilities. This could be through modifications such as providing ramps and elevators or including braille and tactile information, and alternative seating arrangements on public transportation.

It is important to recognize that most countries already collect this type of information regarding the general population and, therefore, indicators and data collection tools are already in place. Thus, all that is needed to make a comparison between people with and without disabilities is a straightforward way to accurately identify people with disabilities. This way the questions can be answered not only for the entire population, but for the population of people with and without disabilities.