CBM Global Inclusion Advisory Group (2023)
Using the Washington Group questions on disability data in development programs: A learning brief
This learning brief focuses on the collection and use of disability data to inform planning, monitoring and evaluation of development programs, with a focus on using the Washington Group questions.
It addresses common issues and concerns in implementation, as well as suggesting approaches to overcome these issues. It also includes case studies from development organisations that have collected and used disability data in their programming and advocacy.
Washington Group (2020)
Using the Washington Group Tools to Assess the Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disability
This document has been developed provide guidance on using the Washington Group tools to assess the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disability. The resource also provides information on using the questions in online or phone-base surveys, which will be useful for other population surveys, not only COVID-19 research activities.
Bush A, Carroll A and James K (2015)
Practice note: collecting and using data on disability to inform inclusive development
This Practice Note has been prepared by Plan International Australia and the CBM Australia-Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development. It identifies principles, practices and approaches to guide agencies in effectively collecting and analysing data related to disability, and using this to strengthen disability inclusion within programs. It discusses key issues and principles to consider in collecting data in a disability inclusive way, and how to use information gathered to strengthen disability inclusion throughout the program cycle. It then outlines methods and tools that can be used to gather data with and about both adults and children with disabilities.
This Practice Note would be useful for program managers and monitoring and evaluation advisors as well as those advising on or overseeing the generation and use of data on disability.
Repository of disability surveys and censuses
This website presents work that is being done in preparation for the implementation of the Model Disability Survey, the development of which was initiated by the World Health Organization and the World Bank. This survey aims to collect data regarding the prevalence and needs of persons with disabilities at the national level, and is currently under development. It is envisioned that the data collected could inform the development of disability inclusive policies and programs. The website includes information regarding past disability surveys and/or disability census data from around the world. Country information is organised according to World Health Organisation regions, and contains links to the data source.
Madans J, Loeb M and Altman B (2011)
Measuring disability and monitoring the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: The work of the Washington group on disability statistics
This paper describes the development of the Washington Group disability questions, and how they can be used at the national census level to collect disability data which can be disaggregated against other factors to determine the situation of persons with disabilities over time, inform policy development, and measure progress towards a disability inclusive society by providing a mechanism through which the implementation of the UNCRPD can be monitored in an internationally comparable, standardised way. This is seminal material for those wishing to understand how disability data can be collected and used at the national level to inform the development of policy, and measure its impact.
Huq NL, Edmonds TJ, Baker S, Busija L, Devine A, Fotis K, Marella M, Goujon N and Keeffe J (2013)
The rapid assessment of disability – Informing the development of an instrument to measure the effectiveness of disability inclusive development through a qualitative study in Bangladesh
This article provides further information about the RAD, including the process of its development. (Note this is a restricted access article).
United Nations Development Group (2011)
Including the rights of persons with disabilities in United Nations programming at country level: A guidance note for United Nations country teams and implementing partners
This guideline provides an example of how disability can be included across an agencies program management cycle. Chapter 3.4 specifically refers to measures the agency can take to support disability inclusive monitoring and evaluation within country teams and implementing partners, with reference to how disability data can be sourced and utilised. Although this document is specifically for use by United Nations agencies, those seeking to understand how programming processes can be increasingly disability inclusive could use it as an example.
Washington Group on Disability Statistics
The Washington Group on Disability Statistics, established under the United Nations Statistical Division, is a working group made up of representatives of over 100 National Statistical Offices and international, non-governmental and disability organisations. It was set up to meet the challenge of disability definition and measurement in a way that is culturally neutral and reasonably standardised among the UN member states. This webpage explains the history of the formation of this group and its role. It contains links to its objectives, background documents and the ‘short set’ of questions, which is the set of six questions recommended for the capture of disability information within national level data collection, for example censuses and demographic surveys. The Washington group questions can enable disaggregation of disability against other demographic factors to allow for the development of disability policy, and the measurement of its effectiveness over time. This is a key resource for individuals seeking to support the capture of standardised, internationally comparable disability data at the national level.
Samman E and Rodriquez-Takeuchi L (2013)
Old age, disability and mental health: Data issues for a post 2015 framework
This background note focuses on the inequalities associated with old age, disability and mental health. It identifies data gaps as a key concern across the three groups. It suggests that this gap can be addressed by revisions to standard household surveys and existing disability data tools. This is a useful document for policy makers and statisticians working on measuring inequalities.
World Health Organisation and World Bank (2011)
World report on disability - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of this report explains the importance of collecting reliable disability data. It presents estimates of the prevalence of disability, factors affecting trends in disability (for example demographic, health, and environmental issues), the socioeco¬nomic circumstances of people with disabilities, need and unmet needs, and the costs of disability. This is a useful introduction to the collection and use of disability data in developing countries.
World Bank (2009)
Examining early child development in low-income countries: A toolkit for the assessment of children in the first five years of life
This toolkit guides those planning or evaluating programs and interventions designed to improve the developmental outcomes of infants and young children, including early intervention programs. It provides useful information on early childhood development and its measurement and provides recommendations for planning successful assessment. This would be useful those evaluating programs and designing large scale child development monitoring systems, from a project to health system level.
CBM and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2013)
Research summary: The key informant child disability project in Bangladesh and Pakistan
This summary report describes how the key informant method has been used to identify children with disabilities in developing countries. It compares the cost and outcomes of this approach with those of household survey methodology, and provides recommendations for how the key informant approach can collect data for use in program planning, identification of barriers, and advocacy initiatives.
The Rapid assessment of disability (RAD) toolkit
This RAD toolkit contains validated questionnaires to collect information regarding disability prevalence and the wellbeing and needs of persons with disabilities, and guidelines for their use. This website explains how the RAD can be used to collect disability information in order to inform the design and implementation of disability inclusive development programs. The development of the RAD was funded by the Australian Aid program, and the RAD toolkit was made available for wider use in early 2014. It provides contact details for further information.