Between 110 and 190 million of these people experience very significant difficulties. This equates to about 15 per cent of the global population.
Of these, 39 million are blind and a further 246 million are visually impaired. Women and girls account for approximately two-thirds (64 per cent) of the world’s blind population.
Disability disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Women, older people and people from the poorest wealth quintile have a higher prevalence of disability and there is higher disability prevalence in lower-income than in higher-income countries. In all countries the prevalence of disability is growing, due to population ageing and the rising burden of non-communicable disease.
Sightsavers has partnered with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to help make the hospitality sector accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on Africa and Asia.
Sightsavers’ Laurène Leclercq shares successes from an award-winning project in Cameroon and Senegal that’s supporting people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of political life.
The UK government’s new international women and girls strategy is a positive step. But because 18 per cent of women have a disability, it is essential that disability inclusion is prioritised.