SINTEF, Norway in association with the Universities of Malawi and Namibia, the Southern Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) and the Federation of Disability Organisations Malawi (FEDOMA)

The research into the statistics conducted by Arne H. Eide, Mitch E. Loeb found that there is little data on disability in low-income countries in general. A few overview articles describe existing data as suffering from poor quality, lack of comparability and limited applicability.

Disability statistics in low-income countries has so far largely comprised of impairment based prevalence figures.

Current disability statistics is however far from robust or comparable globally and is particular week in low-income countries. There is a strong need for design development and standardisation of measures to be applied in both censuses and representative surveys. Important work in this regard is underway through the work by the Washington City Group and the DPO initiated research in Southern Africa. It is argued that it is important to go beyond the issue of prevalence and produce statistics that can compare and analyse differences in standards of living between disabled and non-disabled. The disability – living conditions – poverty link should be the number one priority for broadening disability statistics (in low-income countries) from the current focus largely on prevalence. While prevalence may be useful to some extent, there is clearly need for data that can give a thorough picture of the situation for disabled people, possibilities for comparing between groups (including disabled and non-disabled), documenting and analysing mechanisms explaining the close link between disability and poverty.

It is argued that prevalence in itself is of limited interest and that there is a need for data that can describe, analyze and compare the situation among individuals with disabilities, as well as contribute to increased knowledge about the link between disability and poverty.

A grassroots based research strategy inspired by participatory research is recommended including DPO control of research, local adaptation of research by involving local human resources including individuals with disabilities and their organisations, anchoring objectives of research at the DPOs, feed-back to the population covered by the research, an explicit and binding applied component in any disability research in low-income countries, long-term capacity building and network building among DPOs and researchers in low-income countries.

“High quality disability statistics has the potential for supporting individuals with disabilities in low-income countries in their struggle for basic human rights, equality and a better standard of living. Eradicating the link between disability and poverty is a prerequisite for reaching the Millennium Development Goals.”

Application of disability statistics to improve the situation for disabled people in particular in low-income countries is of great importance for the relevance and credibility of the research sub-field. Comparative statistics is particularly powerful as a tool for lobbying, sensitizing and influencing decision makers as well as the population in general.

The researchers said: "Low-income countries' DPOs will play a critical role in the application of disability data and they should develop strategies for this including necessary capacity building. A strategic working relationship between DPOs and researchers in low-income countries will be necessary for the application as well."

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