World Bank Must Become a Leader on Disability Rights

Excerpt from: Bank Information Center (click for full article)

 

The World Bank must take a stand on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to become a leader in inclusive international development said the Disability and World Bank Safeguards Campaign, a partnership between the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union and the Bank Information Center.

Disability and poverty are inextricably linked. Disability affects approximately one billion people around the world, a large majority of whom live in developing countries but have been systematically left out of development programs and policies.

“The exclusion of people with disabilities from development hinders their right and subsequent opportunities to benefit from national programs, including poverty reduction projects,” said Rachel Burton, Disability and World Bank Safeguards Campaign Program Associate from the Bank Information Center. “People with disabilities must be included in development programs, and the World Bank plays a pivotal role in ensuring inclusive development around the world.”