As part of the Disability KaR programme, the project "Increasing access to disability information" (see project section for more information) has been researching and developing key lists of disability resources.

The following topics have been identified and the latest resources gathered on the Source website in a section dedicated to Disability, inclusion and development. The resources have been categorised in three main areas, which have been listed below:

1. Disability and society
2. Management issues
3. Rehabilitation and health

Visitors to the Source website are encouraged to add their own resources to the databases and can subscribe to a bi-monthly e-bulletin 'What's new in Source' which lists all the latest additions.

The key lists on disability, inclusion and development:

Disability and society
1. Disability and human rights - The perception of disability has been changing over the last 20 years. Previously dominant models focusing on medical treatment or charitable support are slowly being replaced by holistic and social approaches. References to disabled people's rights play an important role in this process >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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2. Mainstreaming and disability - Disabled people are still neglected in mainstream development, often being regarded as an insignificant minority group. Examples from the field show the positive impact of mainstreaming on the lives of disabled people, their organisations, and society as a whole >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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3. Inclusive education - Over recent years, approaches in education for disabled children have moved from special needs education to inclusive education (IE), reflecting a move from the medical to the social model of disability, as well as a growing human rights focus in the disability field >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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4. Poverty reduction and disability - Poverty and disability are linked in a vicious cycle reinforcing each other: people with disabilities are more prone to live in chronic poverty, which in turn can lead to disabling conditions. Disability movements call for a break in this link through the inclusion of disability issues in international development work. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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5. Emergencies and disability - Developing countries, as well as developed countries, continue to be afflicted by natural disasters such as droughts, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes which can have devastating effects on communities, both short-term and long-term. At the same time, international and national conflicts continue around the world, while other countries where wars have ended are in the process of post-war reconstruction. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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6. Adolescence and disability - Adolescence is a time of great emotional and psychological change, of emerging sexuality and important life choices about employment and education. During this period of transition and uncertainty between childhood and adulthood, adolescents may be vulnerable in society and their rights have not been sufficiently recognised in many countries around the world. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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7. Gender and disability - Disabled women have been described as being doubly marginalised on account of their disability and their gender. They may lack social, political, health and economic opportunities, and be more vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion. Disabled women may also be at greater risk of sexual and physical abuse. Disabled girls are often discriminated against, for example in education and family life. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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8. Disability and sexuality - In many cases disabled people find that others do not view them as sexually active members of society. Consequently, they can find themselves in relationships that are less stable, be at increased risk of sexual exploitation and without the opportunity for sexual expression and enjoyment >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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Management issues:
1. Planning and evaluation of disability in development - Inclusive development is guided by appropriate legislation, policies, strategies and objectives. Disability programmes are ideally twin-track: they are disability-specific, like community based rehabilitation, and they are inclusive so that disability is integral to all aspects of community development, for example. education for all >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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2. Disability and statistics - Surveying and gathering statistics and data about disabled people are often important parts of disability projects, to provide base-line data for planning projects, and for monitoring and evaluating projects. Disability statistics can help to measure and understand the links between different social phenomena such as education, gender, poverty or health.>> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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Rehabilitation and health:
1. Community based rehabilitation - CBR is seen as a strategy within general community development for the rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, poverty reduction, and social inclusion of all people with disabilities. While some approaches are mainly focussing on rehabilitation through a more medical perspective, more and more CBR programmes follow the social model of disability. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

2. Mental health - Mental health problems are extremely common in society, and yet they are often misunderstood and in some cases people with mental illness are stigmatised or ostracised in society. Mental illness also affects the person’s family, who need to have skills and knowledge to help the person as well as getting support themselves. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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3. Child development for community workers - In a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme, rehabilitation activities with children are often seen as a priority because effective, early intervention at a young age can prevent an impairment becoming more disabling to a child. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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4. Nutrition and child health - There are many links between nutrition and disability, especially in children. Protein-energy malnutrition in young children can retard cognitive development leading to learning difficulties, and also retard physical development. Poor nutrition also leaves the body more vulnerable to infections which could lead to other disabling conditions. >> more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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5. HIV and AIDS and disability - This key list has been developed at a time when there appear to be very few resources addressing the issue of HIV and disability. Interim results from a Yale University/World Bank research project have demonstrated that HIV/AIDS is a significant and almost wholly unrecognised problem among disabled populations worldwide >>more (this link will take you to the Source website)

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