Disability news, January 2025, by country

Wheelchair History a chronological visual history of wheeled chairs dating back to ancient times. (Link to pdf, 2024, Disability Action Research Kollective)

How NATO can advance the Disability, Peace and Security agenda:

International Perspectives on Sign Language Translator and Interpreter Education “Leading experts in sign language translator and interpreter education present the history and current state of the field in their respective countries.” (Jan, Gallaudet University Press)

Signed Away Against the commodification of deaf communication:

“A particularly egregious case study of the extraction of deaf people from deaf language has recently appeared in the form of an artificial sign-based system called Makaton.” (2024, The Baffler)

Sign Language Machine Translation “The first book on sign language translation for machine translation developers and scholars of deaf studies” (2024, Springer)

In Conflict and Peace:

“NATO does not, at this juncture, have a policy for the protection of persons with disabilities in conflict. Nonetheless, advancing the United Nations Disability, Peace and Security agenda is an important extension of NATO’s efforts to strengthen its human security approach related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and with Allied efforts to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities in peace and in conflict.” (2024, Nato Review)

Review of Bodies of Work: The First World War and the Transnational Making of Rehabilitation, “a study of the development of rehabilitation systems in Great Britain, France, Italy, and the United States during the Great War and of the transnational discourses and exchanges that shaped these systems.” (2024, H-Disability)

How Wikipedia Systematically Misleads People About Autism

Borg Diem words created by disabled people about disability experiences. (2024, Including Disability)

'A disabled South Park character from 24 years ago is getting me harassed today' “My name is Alex. But increasingly young people shout “Timmy” at me in the street. This isn’t mistaken identity - it‘s mockery because I use a wheelchair.” (2024, BBC)

In Data and Research:

Refugee Displacement, Disability and Human Rights a book on The Production, Processing and Power of Data. (Feb, Routledge)

Women with disabilities stigma inventory (WDSI) “a stand-alone, self-reporting survey tool that can be used to collect data about the experiences of women with disabilities globally in relation to stigma, discrimination, and violence.” (2024, UN Women)

The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Disability Studies (2024, Routledge)

Challenging the “norm”: a critical look at deaf-hearing comparison studies in research:

“Upon reviewing the 20 most-cited deaf-hearing comparison studies, we identified recurring fallacies such as the presumption of hearing ideological biases, the use of heterogeneously small samples, and the misinterpretation of critical variables.” (2024, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education)

“Taking neurodiversity seriously has far-reaching implications for how we talk about autism and other kinds of neurodivergence, and also what is important to discuss. Recognizing the importance of neurodiversity suggests that it is a mistake to assume these differences are disorders or collections of deficits, for example; and that in many ways, a medical framing of something like autism is unhelpful. In line with the social model of disability, it suggests that it is more useful to talk about how best to accommodate neurodivergent people than to hunt for “cures.” The causes of autism might be of scientific interest, but they are not particularly interesting to most autistic people, our families, or those who work with us; what matters more is understanding what it takes for autistic people to thrive.” (2024, Thinking Person's Guide to Autism)

In Digital Accessibility and Technology:

Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence resource for schools to ensure “artificial intelligence (AI) is used in a nondiscriminatory manner” at all levels of education. Includes a detailed section on disability. (Link to pdf, Department of Education)

Sign Language Machine Translation “The first book on sign language translation for machine translation developers and scholars of deaf studies” (2024, Springer)

Dataviz accessibility principles, demonstrated by the 2024 presidential election dashboards. (2024, Sarah L. Fossheim)

In Disaster Risk Reduction and Crisis Response:

Disability Justice in Public Health Emergencies “the first book to highlight contributions from critical disability scholarship to the fields of public health ethics and disaster ethics.” (2024, Routledge)

Make trade inclusive for persons with disabilities a global call to action. (2024, ILO)

Disability inclusive social protection. “Two fundamental issues relating to disability inclusive social protection are the determination of the nature of the extra costs facing people with disabilities and the mechanisms for assessing the needs of people with disabilities within a country’s context.” (2024, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health)

The Ibero-American Disability Card “will facilitate the recognition of rights and access to services for people with disabilities in Ibero-American countries.” (In Spanish, 2024, SEGIB) See further.

Disability Inclusion in Action: Lessons Learned and Good Practices from Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Initiatives. (2024, UNICEF)

Disability Inclusive Education in Emergencies: Key Tools and Resources for Implementation (2024, UNICEF)

Inaccessible Access an edited collection on Rethinking Disability Inclusion in Academic Knowledge Creation. (2024, Combined Academic Publishers)

Unlocking Disability-Inclusive Leadership a whitepaper that “examines how successful disability-inclusive leaders drive organisational transformation and business value” (2024, Valuable 500)

Wellbeing washing: Are workplace mental health apps doing more harm than good? (2024, Welcome to the Jungle)

Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors, a technical guide, “provides a framework for defining and reporting on corporate sustainability and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) practices that make disability inclusion efforts more comprehensive.” (2024, ILO)

Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors. (Link to pdf, 2024, ILO)

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Making the Invisible Visible: Why disability matters in violence against women and bodily autonomy. “This report examines who and where women with disabilities are, and explores the relationships between disability and intimate partner violence (IPV) and the bodily autonomy of women of reproductive age (15–49 years)”. (2024, United Nations Population Fund)

Addressing Stigma and Discrimination to eliminate violence against women with disabilities, policy paper. (Link to pdf, 2024, UN Women)

In Health:

Health equity for persons with disabilities: guide for action. “Practical guidance on the process that ministries of health should lead on to integrate disability inclusion into health systems governance, planning, and monitoring processes” (2024, WHO)

Ancient Greek and Roman Crip Lit “acknowledging the disabled status of some Greek and Roman authors, many of whom are mainstays of our traditional literary canon”. (2024, Classical Journal)

Wheelchair History a chronological visual history of wheeled chairs dating back to ancient times. (Link to pdf, 2024, Disability Action Research Kollective)

Migrants With Disabilities Facing Dual Neglect:

Disability Inclusion in Action: Lessons Learned and Good Practices from Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Initiatives. (2024, UNICEF)

Disability Inclusive Education in Emergencies: Key Tools and Resources for Implementation (2024, UNICEF)

Refugee Displacement, Disability and Human Rights a book on The Production, Processing and Power of Data. (Feb, Routledge)

“Migrants with disabilities have mostly been ignored, making it difficult for them to cope with adverse circumstances associated with migration. Some migrants have acquired an impairment in their place of origin, yet decide to take the risk in search of better living conditions. Others may develop an impairment during their journey, such as getting injured while crossing jungle and desert areas, being chased and detained by law enforcement authorities or falling off of cargo trains they were travelling in.” (2024, OHCHR)

Disability Equity and Rights: Essays on challenges, opportunities, and ways forward for inclusive development.

Global Disability Innovation Hub Disability Innovation Strategy 2025 - 2030. (GDI)

Looking ahead to 2025 reflections from the International Disability Alliance:

“IDA members have decided on a range of governance changes aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and effective representation and leadership, with the adoption of revised Articles of Association planned for the General Assembly meeting in January 2025.” (2024, IDA)

The impact of inclusion profiles of disabled people who have been supported. (2024, Sightsavers)

5 tips for programme co-creation: a guide for NGOs. (2024, Light for the World)

Global Disability Summit Advocacy Toolkit “The toolkit includes key messages, templates for advocacy letters and social media posts, guidance on organizing GDS events”. (2024, Global Disability Summit)

In Mental Health:

Wellbeing washing: Are workplace mental health apps doing more harm than good? (2024, Welcome to the Jungle)

Mad Studies Reader edited collection on Interdisciplinary Innovations in Mental Health. (2024, Routledge)

In Mobility, Travel, Transport and Tourism:

Ultimate guide to travelling by air with a powered wheelchair. (2024, Freedom One Life)

Addressing Stigma and Discrimination to eliminate violence against women with disabilities, policy paper. (Link to pdf, 2024, UN Women)

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Latin America and the Caribbean

In Data and Research:

Children with Disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean: A statistical overview of their well-being: 19 million, or ten per cent of children in Latin America and the Caribbean have disabilities. (2024, UNICEF)

In Policy and Rights:

Seeds to Inclusion: What We Know and Don't Know About Disability Policy:

“While a grim picture has often been presented of the situation of people with disabilities in education, health, labor markets, and social protection, the reality is much more nuanced. This report looks at inclusion gaps in the above four sectors, as well as the landscape of inclusion policies being implemented in the region.” (2024, IDB)

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Africa

Development of Priority Assistive Product Lists (APLs) in Malawi, Liberia, and Sierra Leone:

“Our results found substantial differences between the APLs of the three countries, which were substantially influenced by the needs of assistive technology users in each of the respective countries (people). This was evident in the fact that product selection criteria differed across countries, with the most critical factor being population need.” (2024, IJERPH)

Leaving Home and Living Abroad: A Comparative Analysis of the Factors Influencing the Migration Decisions of Africans to Move Abroad:

“Citizens who experienced religious and disability discrimination and those who believed that economic management and salary/income were major problems were also more inclined to migrate.” (2024, Social Science Quarterly)

In Policy and Rights:

The African Disability Protocol: Enhancing Disability Rights Protection in Africa. Article explores how the protocol tackles issues not in the UN Convention. (2024, African Law Matters)

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Algeria

In Policy and Rights:

Strengthening the rights of people with disabilities: up to 5 years in prison in cases of mistreatment, and other proposed changes to draft law on the protection of persons with disabilities. (In Frech, 2024, Algérie 360)

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Cabo Verde

In Policy and Rights:

Government presents strategy for inclusion of persons with disabilities. (In Portuguese, 2024, Expresso das Ilhas)

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Congo-Kinshasa

Simon’s Story of Climate Change and Social Challenges (2024, Africa Albinism Network)

In Conflict and Peace:

"My disability was caused by a bomb": The life of an 18 year-old in North Kivu. (2024, Humanity & Inclusion)

Simon’s Story of Climate Change and Social Challenges (2024, Africa Albinism Network)

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Egypt

Ancient Egypt & Disability a zine. (2024, Disability Action Research Kollective)

Eight histories of disabled people in ancient Egypt (2024, The British Museum)

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Ethiopia

In Conflict and Peace:

Disabled ex-combatants in Tigray protest early discharge from medical care in the ongoing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program. (2024, Addis Standard)

Challenges to inclusive education for girls with disabilities in Tigray. (2024, Brookings)

Situation of Refugees with Disabilities in Ethiopia (2024, UNHCR)

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Gabon

An annual disability allowance of 75,000 CFA francs (almost 120 USD). The aid is considered insufficient by beneficiaries.

“We are tired of having 75,000 francs. As soon as I get home, it's over, it won't even last.” (In French, 2024, Gabon Review)

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Ghana

Ghana’s District Assemblies Common Fund The experience of persons with disabilities as beneficiaries. (2024, Plos One)

In Policy and Rights:

Ghanaian authorities too slow in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities says UN Committee. With reactions from civil society. (2024, Africa Albinism Network)

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Ivory Coast

Legal provisions for retraining of civil servants with disabilities (In French, 2024, L-Frii)

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Kenya

Processing our Pains, our Traumas... Collectively “How do you show up at a collective level when you have so much pain to process at the individual level?” (2024, Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities)

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Nigeria

Deaf community battles exclusion and points to gaps in use and support of sign language. (2024, Punch)

Visually Impaired Beggars in Nigeria’s Capital Suffer in the City’s Attempt to Hide the Poor:

“Where do they want us to go?” she asked. “I’ll gladly stop begging if I get some support to start a little business in the comfort of my hut. But I can never go back home because it’s not peaceful.” (2024, HumAngle)

Inclusion or Exclusion? Vignettes of Students With Disabilities in Nigerian Higher Institutions. (2024, Foundation for Investigative Journalism)

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Rwanda

Unlocking potential through Assistive Technology ATscale support in Rwanda. (2024, ATScale)

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South Sudan

In Disaster Risk Reduction and Crisis Response:

Floods are battering South Sudan. This aid worker helps villagers plan for the worst. (2024, Christian Science Monitor)

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Tanzania

Tanzania Unveils National Strategies for Disability Inclusion: the “Tanzania National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism and the National Assistive Technology Strategy for Persons with Disability” (2024, UNFPA)

In Policy and Rights:

Compendium of Good Practices for Ensuring Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence Services in United Republic of Tanzania (2024, World Council of Churches)

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Uganda

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Profile of Integrated Disabled Women Activities (IDIWA) a conversation with Elizabeth Kayanga, the Executive Director at IDIWA:

“The best moments in my work are when I see adolescent girls and young women with disabilities taking up spaces, engaging, influencing policy, promoting disability inclusion, community development, and participating in IDIWA's program design and implementation.” (2024, Inklusion Leben)

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Zambia

In COVID-19:

At risk but not adequately included: People with disabilities’ experience of COVID-19 in Zambia:

“Interventions were largely unresponsive to the needs of people with disabilities, exacerbating the risk of exposure to infection.” (2024, African Journal of Disability)

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Asia

Bangladesh

Mother’s fight for education breaks disability stigma in rural Bangladesh:

“After three years of struggling to enroll her autistic daughter in a local school, Rikta Akter Banu had had enough. Refusing to accept the constant rejections, she decided to build her own school instead.” (Jan, Arab News)

Pocket guide on Disability inclusive safeguarding in the workplace (2024, South Asia Hub)

In Policy and Rights:

From possibilities to policies: Transitioning to a disability-friendly Bangladesh. (2024, The Daily Star)

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Cambodia

Cambodia’s first information needs assessment for persons with disabilities

“Economic information was found to be of highest demand. Particularly, information related to jobs or income opportunities would be more desired.” (2024, UNESCO)

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China

Can disabled people be teachers in China? case studies of disabled people struggling to become teachers and the strategies they use to overcome the barriers. (2024, Disability & Society)

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Inclusion, Exclusion, Agency, and Advocacy a book on Experiences of Women With Physical Disabilities in China, With Worldwide Implications. (2024, IAP)

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Georgia

The Struggles of Disabled People in Georgia

“One of the most shocking incidents occurred on December 3, 2024, when people with disabilities gathered to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. These protests, meant to raise awareness and demand equal rights, were met with brutal violence from law enforcement.” (Jan, ENIL)

Persons with disabilities hold protest in Tbilisi to protest the Georgian government's anti-EU turn:

“Isolation from democratic countries means isolating the entire nation, and especially the isolation of the disability community” (2024, OC Media)

People with disabilities call for ‘return to European orbit’ a statement. (2024, OC Media)

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India

Handicapped Association holds protest in Srinagar. (2024, The Tribune)

Anita Ghai (1958-2024): Critical disability studies scholar and activist:

“Anita wanted a life of both joy and justice. Her most lasting contribution was to ask difficult questions, to confront and challenge, and to ask for a better world. This is the legacy for us, activists and academics to take forward.” (2024, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics)

In Policy and Rights:

Court Decisions on Disability Rights in India. A resource book. (2024, Centre for Law & Policy Research)

How three rulings enabled disability rights in 2024 (2024, Deccan Herald)

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Indonesia

Hasna Mufidah: Championing Deaf Culture Through Art and Activism. (2024, United Nations Development Programme)

Assessing the Responsiveness of Inclusive Education Implementation in Kendari City, Indonesia: An Application of Potter's Theory:

“The lack of facilities, infrastructure, and trained Special Guidance Teachers (GPK) remains a major challenge. The choice principle is sufficiently fulfilled with policies allowing parents to choose inclusive schools, regular schools with special programs, or Special Schools (SLB). However, improvements are needed to ensure all inclusive schools provide quality services and equal access.” (2024, South Eastern European Journal of Public Health)

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Israel

In Conflict and Peace:

Israeli non-profit intensifies emergency efforts to support people with disabilities amid war. A profile of SHEKEL. (2024, Allisrael News)

Supporting Israel’s wounded: “Creating a compassionate society for Israel’s newly disabled after the war” (2024, Jerusalem Post)

Because we are all equal in emergency “Two days after the war broke out, I established the Purple Emergency Center – an emergency assistance center for people with disabilities.” (2024, Jerusalem Post)

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Japan

The Unbreakable Silence: Documentary on the Harm of Japan’s Eugenic Law: “We look into why many of the victims who were forcefully sterilized remain silent on their suffering.” (2024, NHK)

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Malaysia

In Data and Research:

Person with Disability Statistics, Malaysia 2023 finds 736,607 people registered as disabled with the Department of Social Welfare. (2024, Department of Statistics Malaysia)

Special Needs Education for The Visually Impaired in Malaysia.

“Despite progressive policies, significant challenges persist, including limited access to specialized resources, inconsistent quality across regions, and a lack of adequately trained educators.” (2024, Southeast Asia Early Childhood Journal)

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Myanmar

In Policy and Rights:

Life for Disabled People in Myanmar Worse Since Coup according to caregivers. (2024, BNI Online)

Strategies for Inclusion in Myanmar's Federal Democratic Transition:

“As Myanmar’s pro-democracy stakeholders work towards defining a future democratic federal union, ensuring consistency in disability rights at the union level and across diverse regions and states is a critical challenge.” (2024, Idea)

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Palestine

In Conflict and Peace:

Gazans With Disabilities Face ‘Impossible Times’ of Chaos and War A family fled carrying a 9-year-old girl for hours on their backs. Sisters with visual impairments pleaded for help as Israeli airstrikes fell. “It’s a nightmare,” one wheelchair user said. (2024, New York Times)

Gazans injured in war live with disabilities but little medical support. “Tens of thousands require long-term rehabilitation, WHO officials said.” (2024, ABC News)

The Intersection of Disability and Genocide profile of Khaled Sulaiman, a 26-year-old disabled man. (2024, Disability Visibility Project)

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Singapore

In Sport and Paralympics:

How chess can break barriers for children with disabilities. one game at a time. (2024, CNA)

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South Korea

Profile of Kyung Seok Park a daredevil and activist campaigning for 40 years:

“Since I’ve been protesting, I’ve noticed that the reaction of the police depends on our country’s leader. Now a conservative government is in power, the attitude has shifted. Authorities have stolen our placards, stopped us from riding the subway and thrown us off the trains. They mock us, damage our wheelchairs and I’ve been strangled to the point where I couldn’t breathe.” (2024, Amnesty)

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Sri Lanka

I faced my hardships, and it made me stronger. Profile of Leena Penildas Thatkuras who has a sewing business and drives a three-wheeler designed for people who use wheelchairs. (2024, ILO)

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Syria

Euro 6.45 million from Finland to Empower Persons with Disabilities to Lead Community Transformation in Syria. (2024, United Nations Development Programme)

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Türkiye

The struggle of people with disabilities to start over. Cases of refugees injured in the Syrian conflict. (2024, European Commission)

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Uzbekistan

They don't need your charity, give them their rights! Critique of turning international day for persons with disabilities into a holiday:

‘“It just pisses me off when they make a holiday out of this day. They set tables, organise concerts, etc. On this day it would be good to demonstrate our achievements in the field of protecting the rights of people with disabilities,” says Natalia Plotnikova, head of the public association of women with disabilities “Opa-singillar” (“Sisters”).’ (2024, Dilmurad Yusupov)

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Europe

Guide for self-advocates and journalists in self-advocacy and disability rights. (2024, Inclusion Europe)

Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe

“Conclusively, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are not consulted, hence their situations, requirements and voices not taken into account at all across climate action.” (2024, EDF)

Paths towards independent living and social inclusion in Europe.

Posts celebrating the 200 anniversary. (livingbraille.eu)

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Policy recommendations on intersectionality between disability and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGTBI). (2024, EDF)

See Us For Who We Are series of photos spotlighting women's lives. (2024, Gender Equality Forum)

Combating violence against women with disabilities A guide on monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women. (2024, EDF)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

Commission adopts guidance on independent living for persons with disabilities (2024, European Commission)

“Despite deinstitutionalisation strategies being in place in EU Member States, the numbers of children, adults with disabilities and older people in residential care has risen” (2024, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions)

The EU Accession Process: Report and Guidance for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities:

“As part of accession negotiations, Ukraine and Moldova have to undertake a series of complex, long-term reforms in order to align with EU standards in the disability domain such as deinstitutionalisation, reform of the disability assessment system, ensuring an inclusive open labour market and education, among others.” (2024, EDF)

In Policy and Rights:

Inclusion indicators 2024: Key findings on the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in 31 European countries:

“852,000 people with intellectual disabilities are in segregated “care”
institutions where there are more than 10 people in one place.

107,000 people with intellectual disabilities are in small care homes.

Over 32,000 are placed in psychiatric hospitals.” (Inclusion Europe)

Open letter to European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib: keep up the momentum on disability rights! (2024, EDF)

My Rights in the EU as a person with disabilities a guide. (2024, EDF)

Combating violence against women with disabilities A guide on monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women. (2024, EDF)

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Albania

People with disabilities protest in Elbasan

“On this day, which should serve for the rights that these people should enjoy, just like the rest of society, they presented the difficulties regarding the payment they receive, not being able to afford living, despite the fact that some of them also have a higher education.” (2024, Euronews)

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France

Anti-ableist activists and management associations a useful breakdown of political history of disability in France and understanding the different claims of organisations to represent disabled people. (2024, Capucine Lemaire)

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Germany

Avoiding the sheltered employment trap the experience of Florian Greß. (2024, ENIL)

No real improvement for refugees with disabilities “Overall, little has improved – especially in terms of identifying refugees with disabilities and providing them with suitable accommodation and care.” (2024, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung)

In Policy and Rights:

Inclusion in schools and the labour market is inadequate according to the commissioner for people with disabilities. (In German, Jan, SZ)

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Hungary

Six-Fingered Queen Elizabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary, Through the Lens of Disability:

“Ultimately, sculpture depicting the [fourteenth century] Queen shows that rather than emphasizing her wounded right hand, her advanced age seems to be more of a defining and unique feature.” (2024, Including Disability)

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Ireland

Deaf People’s Retrospective Views and Lived Experiences of Ableism and Discrimination in Education: A Qualitative Study Informed by Critical Disability Studies:

“The themes are: denial of opportunities to learn and use Irish Sign Language (ISL); ableist barriers to accessing incidental learning; deaf teachers; and the ableism of low expectations. The findings demonstrate that attitudinal barriers to accessing ISL in the classroom negatively impacted on deaf people’s social and educational lives.” (2024, SJDR)

Deaf People’s Retrospective Views and Lived Experiences of Ableism and Discrimination in Education: A Qualitative Study Informed by Critical Disability Studies:

“The themes are: denial of opportunities to learn and use Irish Sign Language (ISL); ableist barriers to accessing incidental learning; deaf teachers; and the ableism of low expectations. The findings demonstrate that attitudinal barriers to accessing ISL in the classroom negatively impacted on deaf people’s social and educational lives.” (2024, SJDR)

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

More harm, more barriers, more silence: intimate partner abuse leaves disabled women feeling hurt, disbelieved and isolated, new research finds:

“abusive partners, often in the position of a carer, weaponise women’s disabilities including withholding medication, denying basic care and mobility needs, using impairments to portray the woman as an unfit parent and inflicting verbal and physical abuse that targets their disability.” (2024, RTE)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

We will regret treatment of young people with disabilities in nursing homes, warns the Ombudsman. (2024, Irish Examiner)

In Justice Systems and Legal Capacity:

Access to Justice: A Baseline Study of Article 13 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A picture of “barrier layered upon barrier”:

“Despite legislative and policy developments in recent years, and the commitment of many people working in and with the justice system, it remains a system where at times those responsible for implementing justice are unaware of their role and its limits, and where disabled people find themselves unsupported, faced with opaque processes and limited legal representation. In some cases, they are denied justice altogether.” (2024, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission)

Profile of Sinéad Burke:

“In Ireland there are so many systemic issues that need to be solved for people with disabilities – the lack of independent living options, opportunities for employment and financial independence, access to school and education places – we’re always busy fixing yesterday. While this is incredibly necessary work, we have no mechanism in place to deal with tomorrow, five years’ time or 10 years’ time.” (Jan, The Irish Times)

More harm, more barriers, more silence: intimate partner abuse leaves disabled women feeling hurt, disbelieved and isolated, new research finds:

“abusive partners, often in the position of a carer, weaponise women’s disabilities including withholding medication, denying basic care and mobility needs, using impairments to portray the woman as an unfit parent and inflicting verbal and physical abuse that targets their disability.” (2024, RTE)

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Malta

The lesser known third official language of Malta

“Maltese Sign Language emerged as a formalised language around 1980, today, it serves not only as a means of everyday communication but also as a medium for education and professional conversation” (Jan, Malta Today)

In Policy and Rights:

New law to better protect the rights of persons with disabilities:

“Among other things, for the first time, discrimination against persons with disabilities will be clearly recognised in the Constitution of Malta, the ministry stated. It said that this new law will see that the rights of people with disabilities are better protected, and Minister Julia Farrugia commented that this legislative package is currently being scrutinised from a legal point of view by the State Advocate's office.” (2024, Malta Independent)

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Russia

In Conflict and Peace:

For Many Returning Russian Veterans, a Long Road of Recovery Awaits:

“A large number of soldiers return as amputees, and many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Once home, they face stigma and a grueling course of rehabilitation.” (Jan)

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Sweden

Deaf migrants in Sweden: exploring linguistic and bureaucratic challenges through the lens of Crip Theory and Crip Linguistics:

“The findings show that deaf migrants experience infantilisation, that sign language interpreters are often seen as a one-size-fits-all solution without much consideration for other factors influencing communication, and that normative able-bodiedness underlies many of the bureaucratic issues deaf migrants face.” (2024, Multilingua)

Deaf migrants in Sweden: exploring linguistic and bureaucratic challenges through the lens of Crip Theory and Crip Linguistics:

“The findings show that deaf migrants experience infantilisation, that sign language interpreters are often seen as a one-size-fits-all solution without much consideration for other factors influencing communication, and that normative able-bodiedness underlies many of the bureaucratic issues deaf migrants face.” (2024, Multilingua)

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Switzerland

Disability Rights and Swiss Citizenship: The Dimensions of Inclusive and Exclusive Integration Criteria. (2024, sozialpolitik.ch)

2024 without an elevator a retrospective on unfulfilled promises. (In French, 2024, Couple l'herbe sous les Roues)

Detecting Disabilities Before Birth: Journalist Malick Reinhard explores the moral dilemmas of screening for disabilities in utero, challenging our perceptions of quality of life. (2024, Couper l'Herbe Sous les Roues)

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Ukraine

Reform of the MSEC: the Ministry of Health explained how Ukrainians can establish disability in 2025. (2024, 112)

In War in Ukraine:

Two and a Half Years Later, a Disabled Ukrainian Boy Returns Home after being deported by Russia. (Jan, New Lines Magazine)

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United Kingdom

The 'war' on disabled people and my fight for an independent life. Musician and activist John Kelly:

“You've got to chain yourself to the busses
Show them what the fuss is.” (2024, the Guardian)

Big disability charities are ‘actively harmful’ to our movement, Disabled people’s organisations tell government:

“They say the charities “financially benefit from talking about our oppression” and that the government should instead prioritise the “authentic” views of DPOs and ensure that “those directly impacted by these issues have real authority in the decision-making process”.” (2024, Disability News Service)

Braille 200 celebrating braille’s two hundredth anniversary. (Jan, RNIB)

‘We’d be stuck’: alarm as UK’s last braille typewriter repairer ponders retirement. (Jan, the Guardian)

A bold new project is reclaiming disabled people’s history that’s previously been erased: profile of Disability Action Research Kollective. (2024, Canary)

In Digital Accessibility and Technology:

Revealed: bias found in AI system used to detect UK benefits fraud. “Age, disability, marital status and nationality influence decisions to investigate claims, prompting fears of ‘hurt first, fix later’ approach” (2024, the Guardian)

Unlocking benefits: Tackling barriers for disabled people wanting to work:

“Policy must focus on improving population health and healthcare. It needs to ensure jobs are designed to be much more viable for disabled people and more supportive when employees become ill. At the same time, barriers to work in the benefit system must be addressed to ensure the entire welfare–employment system works as one to support more people on work-related disability benefits into work and out of hardship.” (2024, JRF)

Improving early identification of children with SEND at risk of modern slavery:

£100m spent in England on failed efforts to block children’s Send support. (2024, the Guardian)

“children and young people with SEND, who often experience social isolation and who may struggle with mainstream education when their needs are not met, are at particular risk of criminal and sexual exploitation” (2024, Modern Slavery & Human Rights)

‘Barclays is facing criticism over adverts for paid “mystery shoppers” which suggested that people could pretend to be blind or deaf to test the services at the British bank’s high street branches.’ (Jan, the Guardian)

Disability inclusion at work report “New report finds UK workers face workplace barriers due to disabilities, chronic health conditions and neurodivergence” (2024, Deloitte)

Unlocking benefits: Tackling barriers for disabled people wanting to work:

“Policy must focus on improving population health and healthcare. It needs to ensure jobs are designed to be much more viable for disabled people and more supportive when employees become ill. At the same time, barriers to work in the benefit system must be addressed to ensure the entire welfare–employment system works as one to support more people on work-related disability benefits into work and out of hardship.” (2024, JRF)

A bold new project is reclaiming disabled people’s history that’s previously been erased: profile of Disability Action Research Kollective. (2024, Canary)

Head of security at Essex centre for disabled asylum seekers removed over alleged far-right views. (Jan, the Guardian)

No, you don't need a New Year's Resolution

“Not everyone can reinvent themselves, or even have the sort of control over their day to day lives that goal-setting and resolution-making requires.” (Jan, The View from Down Here)

'I'm 27, and my disability admin feels like a full-time job' (2024, BBC)

In Mobility, Travel, Transport and Tourism:

Gaps in Air Travel for Passengers with Postural Support Needs “78% of respondents reported unsafe experiences with aisle chairs.” (2024, Ablemove)

In Policy and Rights:

The UK must change for disabled people in 2025 “This year saw the continued decline of living standards for disabled people and a repeated government focus on cutting social security spending.” (2024, Big Issue)

Improving early identification of children with SEND at risk of modern slavery:

“children and young people with SEND, who often experience social isolation and who may struggle with mainstream education when their needs are not met, are at particular risk of criminal and sexual exploitation” (2024, Modern Slavery & Human Rights)

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North America

Belize

The hidden impact of climate change on children with disabilities in Belize:

“Currently, Belize has over 400 emergency shelters spread across the country, ranging from schools to churches and other buildings. However, only a handful, such as the Inspiration Centre and an educational facility in Belize City, are equipped to adequately serve persons with disabilities.” (2024, UNICEF)

The Overwhelming Impact of Climate Change on Persons with Disabilities in Belize. Interview with Kenrich Theus of the Belize Assembly for People with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA), before he passed away. (2024, Channel 5 Belize)

The hidden impact of climate change on children with disabilities in Belize:

“Currently, Belize has over 400 emergency shelters spread across the country, ranging from schools to churches and other buildings. However, only a handful, such as the Inspiration Centre and an educational facility in Belize City, are equipped to adequately serve persons with disabilities.” (2024, UNICEF)

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Canada

“It Felt Like Everything in Life Stopped” Legal Capacity Rights Violations Against People with Disabilities in Canada’s Immigration Detention System (2024, Human Rights Watch)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

Manitoba's last institution for people with intellectual disabilities now closed permanently. “The closure of MDC has been pursued by self-advocates and families for over 30 years.” (2024, Inclusion Canada)

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Costa Rica

Persons with disabilities on the street calling for equality, employment and study opportunities. (In Spanish, short video, 2024, TV Sur)

In Policy and Rights:

A step against scams targeting seniors and people with cognitive disabilities. Amendment to law proposes increased penalties for those that commit fraud on these groups. (In Spanish, 2024, Delfino)

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Cuba

For a society without barriers. Celebration by the Cuban Association of People with Physical-Motor Disabilities (Aclifim). (In Spanish, 2024, Periódico 26)

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El Salvador

“I will fight until I am reinstated in my position” Rigoberto Escalante was dismissed from his job in a hospital four days after participating in a march. (In Spanish, Jan, La Prensa Grafica)

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Guatemala

Advocating for Political Representation in Guatemala: A Conversation with Ramiro Nochez-McNutt. (2024, Inklusion leben)

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Honduras

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Lack of employment reinforces cycle of exclusion and violence against women with disabilities. (In Spanish, 2024, Radioamerica.hn)

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United States

In Accessibility and Design:

Disability is Human a book on the “The Vital Power of Accessibility in Everyday Life”. (2024, Stephanie W. Cawthon)

In Black Lives Matter and Racial justice:

Dynamics of Race and Disability in Healthcare Disparities (Jan, Center for Racial and Disability Justice)

Disabled And Here a disability-led stock image and interview series celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC). (2024, Affect)

In COVID-19:

‘I was in denial about it’: actor Matt McGorry on having long Covid. (2024, the Guardian)

Funding disabled creatives: Takeaways from the Disability Futures Fellowship (2024, Candid)

Disabled Catholics deserve more than parish accessibility “Accessibility is only the beginning of disability justice. The church needs a whole new narrative.” (2024, US Catholic)

Keeping the Lights On: Marrying Disability Justice with Electric Grid Resilience. (2024, Change The Chamber)

Investing in the disability beat

An Artist Who Has Something in Common With Her Subjects “Rachel Handlin is possibly the first person with Down syndrome to receive an M.F.A., and one of just a few to hold a bachelor’s. Her first solo show features her portraits of others like her.” (2024, New York Times)

How Wicked's Accessibility Coordinator Made the Land of Oz More Inclusive (2024, Pop Sugar)

Facing the Falls a short documentary that tells the story of “international disability rights advocate and entrepreneur, Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan” (2024, Switchboard Magazine)

Wicked Star Marissa Bode talks to Teen Vogue about being the first actress in a wheelchair to play the role of Nessarose in Wicked. (2024, Teen Vogue)

“To create an accurate record of history, news organizations in 2025 must become serious about the disability beat by understanding and actively resisting ableism.” (2024, Nieman Journalism Lab)

Disabled And Here a disability-led stock image and interview series celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC). (2024, Affect)

In Data and Research:

Prevalence of Disability Among Older Adults in Prison

“Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that adults in prison are more likely to report disability than those in community settings, with the largest differences in cognitive difficulties.” (2024, JAMA Network)

Prevalence of food insecurity differs by disability status in 2023:

“households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities”. (2024, USDA Economic Research Service)

In Digital Accessibility and Technology:

AI and the Future of Work: Legal Perspectives on Disability Accommodation and Employment Equity (2024, Ohio Northern University Law Review)

FTC Order Requires Online Marketer to Pay $1 Million for Deceptive Claims that its AI Product Could Make Websites Compliant with Accessibility Guidelines:

“According to the complaint, despite the company’s claims, accessWidget did not make all user websites WCAG-compliant and these claims were therefore false, misleading, or unsubstantiated, in violation of the FTC Act. In addition, the complaint alleges that accessiBe deceptively formatted third-party articles and reviews to appear as if they were independent opinions by impartial authors and failed to disclose the company’s material connections to the supposedly objective reviewers.” (Jan, Federal Trade Commission)

In Disaster Risk Reduction and Crisis Response:

Altadena family says disabled father and son were left to burn in fire. ‘Nobody was coming’ (Jan, Los Angeles Times)

Fleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’. (Jan, the Guardian)

The nightmare of evacuations for the elderly and disabled in the path of the fires. (Jan, Los Angeles Times)

Already Battered Disability Providers Say More Cuts Could Be Coming

“A survey released this week finds that 90% of providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have faced moderate or severe staffing shortages in the last year. As a result, 69% said they had declined new clients and 39% indicated that they shuttered programs or services. More than a third said they were considering additional program cuts.” (2024, Disability Scoop)

Project 2025’s Plan to Dismantle Public Education —And Screw Over Disabled Kids. (Jan, Mother Jones)

She graduated without learning to read. “Aleysha Ortiz sued her Connecticut school district for allegedly failing to address her learning disabilities.” (2024, Washington Post)

Students Who Are English Learners with Disabilities: a brief on Equal Access to Elementary and Secondary Education. (2024, Department of Education)

The Stigma Disabled People Face During Negotiations:

Companies Can Pay Disabled People Below Minimum Wage. “A proposal from the Department of Labor recommends the end of certificates that allow a subminimum wage for disabled people.” (2024, Mother Jones)

Squeaky Wheel Ranked 'Worst Place for Disabled People to Work' Because We Couldn’t Afford to Get on the Good Lists. A satirical take:

‘When asked how companies are ranked, a spokesperson for DisabledCorp™ told us, “We consider a variety of factors when creating these lists, including the size of the company, how many stock photos of disabled people are on their website, how many times they say the word ‘accessibility‘ and whether or not they sponsored any events at this year’s DisabledCorp™ Convention.”’ (2024, The Squeaky Wheel)

Equity Undone: How the Dismantle DEI Act Threatens Marginalized Communities:

“The Act poses potential risks to disabled people by potentially removing federal policies and initiatives designed to promote accessibility and inclusion, which are often tied to broader DEI frameworks.” (2024, Center for Racial And Disability Justice)

“Their results speak to the extra burden of discrimination faced by those with mental health disabilities, especially for women who seem to face the “double bind” of the intersection of stigmatized categories.” (2024, Harvard Business Review)

AI and the Future of Work: Legal Perspectives on Disability Accommodation and Employment Equity (2024, Ohio Northern University Law Review)

In Health:

Dynamics of Race and Disability in Healthcare Disparities (Jan, Center for Racial and Disability Justice)

Prevalence of food insecurity differs by disability status in 2023:

“households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities”. (2024, USDA Economic Research Service)

Zona Roberts, mother of Ed Roberts, died. "She battled educational, medical and social bureaucracies and prejudices, enlisted the whole family in Ed’s care and through it all taught Ed how to fight for himself," (Jan, Streets Blog USA)

Preserving Disability an edited collection on Disability and the Archival Profession. (2024, Litwin Books)

The Disabled Inmates Who Dared to Escape “The first in a three-part series about disabled people who fled violence that society demanded they accept.” (2024, (Un)Hidden)

Diane Coleman, Fierce Foe of the Right-to-Die Movement, Dies at 71 “Her fight for disability rights included founding a group called Not Dead Yet, which protested the work of Dr. Jack Kevorkian and others.” (2024, New York Times)

Prevalence of Disability Among Older Adults in Prison

Refugees and asylees with disabilities: a call for economic integration. (2024, The Lancet)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

The Disabled Inmates Who Dared to Escape “The first in a three-part series about disabled people who fled violence that society demanded they accept.” (2024, (Un)Hidden)

In Justice Systems and Legal Capacity:

“Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that adults in prison are more likely to report disability than those in community settings, with the largest differences in cognitive difficulties.” (2024, JAMA Network)

Sweeping Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities:

‘Life is a dumpster fire, but I’m not alone’ Disability advocate Alice Wong on resistance in the new year:

“I feel despondent and overwhelmed by the political situation often, but then I remind myself this is by design, that those in power want to erode our resolve and [for us to] give up.

‘Doing’ activism is neither linear or smooth and in times of frustration or exhaustion I tap into my memories of injustice. I remind myself of why I am doing what I am doing and this sustains me. Anger transforms into a battery charger that gives me a boost when it’s sorely needed.” (Jan, the Guardian)

‘I was in denial about it’: actor Matt McGorry on having long Covid. (2024, the Guardian)

Facing the Falls a short documentary that tells the story of “international disability rights advocate and entrepreneur, Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan” (2024, Switchboard Magazine)

These Disability Doulas Are Helping People Navigate Their New Lives. (2024, HuffPost UK Voices)

Digital Kinship: Oral histories by disabled and or/chronically ill South Asian Americans on finding community. (2024, South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA))

In Mobility, Travel, Transport and Tourism:

Do Car-Free Zones Hurt Disabled People? ‘City planners and advocates say they're seeing “accessibility used as a political football.”’ (Jan, Next City)

Cruise and Numotion Partner to Bring Free Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) service to Houston. (2024, Cruise)

“The new final rule requires that airlines meet more rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, especially for passengers who use wheelchairs. The rule sets new standards for assistance, mandates hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs, and specifies actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged or delayed during transport.” (2024, US Department of Transportation)

R-Word Comeback Is Grim Sign of Our Political Moment “Disability advocates are concerned by the resurgence of an epithet that is now wielded by "anti-woke" crusaders” (Jan)

A disability policy champion’s time in Congress ends as he concedes his Senate race. “Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey was instrumental in passing multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation to advance the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.” (2024, the 19th)

The Structural Desexualization of Disability:

“[This article applies] a new structural desexualization of disability framework to identify the ways that legal structures and social norms act in concert to harm people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in matters of sexuality. This Article examines three disability systems through this new framework: guardianship, special education, and the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program.” (2024, Columbia Law Review)

Parents with disabilities have faced discrimination for years in the US, but new rules will help ensure that child welfare systems treat them more fairly. (2024, The Conversation)

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Oceania

Australia

In Accessibility and Design:

‘It is immoral’: Australian investors warned about ‘cowboys’ promising unrealistic returns on disability housing. (2024, The Guardian)

Braille literacy is vital to achieving equal access for blind children. (2024, ABC Education)

In Gender Equality and Women with Disabilities:

Loneliness and social isolation: How to make connection accessible for women with disabilities (2024, Women's Agenda)

Looking Back When Moving Forward: Researching Sites of Former Disability Institutions (2024, Social Sciences)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

Looking Back When Moving Forward: Researching Sites of Former Disability Institutions (2024, Social Sciences)

Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy. “This Strategy marks a shift in Australia’s focus from disability inclusion to disability equity and rights”:

“Everyone benefits from disability equity. Poverty, isolation and disadvantage are reduced. The potential for economic growth is stronger. Cohesive societies are more peaceful, resilient and stable. For sustainable development to be achieved, the global community must deliver on our commitment to leave no one behind, including people with disability.” (2024, Commonwealth of Australia)

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New Zealand

An ‘awful’ year of cuts and heartbreak for disabled community:

“Disabled people, carers and whānau took to the streets of Christchurch to protest against the Government’s lack of consultation with the disabled community for the past year.” (2024, The Press)

New Zealand a very difficult place to be blind. Jonathan Mosen shares why he is leaving for the United States:

“Mosen said 30 years ago New Zealand was considered a leader for innovation in the blind world, but a deterioration of blindness services was echoed by a lack of leadership of blind people in their own foundation.” (2024, RNZ News)

Blind Low Vision NZ admits it 'slipped back' with blind people in senior positions. (2024, RNZ News)

As te reo Māori grows, so does the search for trilingual interpreters. (2024, The Spinoff)

In Disaster Risk Reduction and Crisis Response:

How I survived evacuating Dunedin floods in the middle of the night. “You know things are bad when politicians are contacting you directly.” (2024, The D*List)

How do I prepare my child with disabilities for school? “The search for Te Rerenoa's school started almost 18 months before she attended her first day at the start of this year.” (2024, RNZ News)

I am tired of consultation:

'An awful life': Former students of deaf schools speak out about abuse:

“Survivors of abuse at New Zealand's former deaf schools say next week's government apology will mean nothing without prosecutions against staff and fellow students who carried out physical and sexual attacks.” (2024, RNZ)

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

'An awful life': Former students of deaf schools speak out about abuse:

“Survivors of abuse at New Zealand's former deaf schools say next week's government apology will mean nothing without prosecutions against staff and fellow students who carried out physical and sexual attacks.” (2024, RNZ)

In Policy and Rights:

“Progress is glacial. Understanding remains limited. I find I am repeating myself. I am in meetings where I recognise other names and faces, I hear us saying the same things, repeating our experiences, sharing stories I’ve heard before. The only change is the poor hardworking public servant on the receiving end. Sometimes I cut and paste from previous submissions as nothing has changed in the meantime.” (2024, Dr Bex on Social Issues in Aotearoa NZ)

In Sport and Paralympics:

More than PVC gutters and ball muffin trays: “The inaugural Disability Sport Auckland Boccia Tournament created a space for challenge and competition - on and off the court.” (2024, The D*List)

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Papua New Guinea

Where is the Budget for people with disability? (2024, Post Courier)

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South America

Argentina

Guide to benefits an audit of non-contributory disability benefits for persons with disabilities. (In Spanish, 2024, ACIJ)

Disability pension: points for public discussion. A guide giving evidence responding to assumptions in public debate. (2024, ACIJ)

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Bolivia

In Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization:

Caregiving mothers: and the challenge of care for people with illnesses and disabilities. Of parents bringing their children to the Down Syndrome Foundation in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:

“Ninety percent of them are single mothers who bring their children. Many complain about their husbands abandoning them and dedicate themselves to working alone to support their son or daughter,” (In Spanish, 2024, Visión 360)

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Brazil

A situational analysis of rehabilitation policy and systems in Brazil

Joselito’s Story his journey and advocacy:

“My life has been a tapestry woven with the threads of resilience, community, and advocacy, stitched together by the painful yet transformative experiences I have faced.” (2024, Africa Albinism Network)

In Health:

“For service users with disabilities, key challenges to accessing rehabilitation include high costs of transport, communication and information barriers, and long wait times.” (SSM - Health Systems)