Including the most vulnerable : social funds and people with disabilities

Abstract

People with disabilities face many of the challenges that other vulnerable groups face, such as lack of adequate support services in their communities, lack of resources and economic opportunities, and physical and attitudinal barriers to their participating fully in society. One of the best-established World Bank instruments for targeting poor, and vulnerable groups is social funds. The authors review the extent of current disability activities within World Bank-financed social funds, and provide recommendations, and resources for increasing support for persons with disabilities in social fund subprojects. Among other initiatives, social funds can provide infrastructure, and services that people with disabilities can use, support organizations that help persons with disabilities formulate, and demand projects, and promote greater public understanding of disability issues.Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Social Cohesion,Social Protections&Assistance,Community Development and Empowerment,ICT Policy and Strategies