On 21 October, the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, the International Disability Alliance, World Blind Union and CBM held the event “Persons with disabilities and COVID-19 data collection and disaggregation efforts” at the virtual World Data Forum. Over 400 participants attended the event highlighting the importance of data on the situation of persons with disabilities. If you weren’t able to attend, you can find the accessible recording here.
The key overarching messages from the event included:
- Data collection tools are available;
- Areas on which to collect data need to be identified and prioritized; and
- Where no data exist, use research and community-driven data to complement official data for policy and decision-making.
The stellar moderator, Facundo Chávez Penillas from OHCHR guided the distinguished panel, including:
- Neda Jafar, Head of Statistical Policies and Coordination Unit, UNESCWA: who presented on the process of statisticians and policymakers working together to create evidenced-based policymaking, particularly highlighting good practices in the ESCWA region;
- Jose Viera, Chief Executive Officer, World Blind Union and Permanent Representative, Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities: who launched the Disability Data advocacy toolkit that focuses on how organizations of persons with disabilities can advocate for good data, analyze data, use data, and collect community-driven data;
- Mirjam Gasser, Head Advocacy, CBM Switzerland who shared findings from data collection in Bangladesh after the Super Cyclone Amphan;
- Anderson Gitonga, Chief Executive Officer, United Disabled Persons of Kenya: who explained the process of getting the Washington Group short set of questions into the census in Kenya and how organizations of persons with disabilities were involved; and
- Jennifer Madans, Acting Director for the National Center for Health Statistics: who talked about how the Washington Group tools can be used to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities.
Additionally, Ana Lucía Arellano, Chair of the International Disability Alliance and President of RIADIS was a distinguished panelist in the high-level plenary session“Leaving no one behind in data for COVID-19 and the 2030 Agenda.” Click here for her full presentation.
Additional information:
- UNESCWA Regional Guidebook to Improve Disability Data Collection and Analysis in the Arab Countries
- The Washington Group COVID-19 webinar
- Blog: Community-Driven Data for Persons with Disabilities Fosters Inclusion and Representation
- The Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities’ disability data advocacy working group page.
- Read here for more information on the first comprehensive Disability Data advocacy toolkit
To learn more about Disability Data Advocacy Working Group, please click here.
