Perspectives on disability poverty & technology

1.1. This Working Paper is a ‘think-piece’ produced by a team of specialists (see Appendix 1), engaged by the Overseas Development Group at the University of East Anglia, in response to terms of reference drawn up by Healthlink Worldwide and GIC Ltd., based on a concept note by DFID. It concludes with a number of recommendations, to DFID and to the KAR Programme Managers, and with some suggestions for further commissioned action-research.

1.2. The Paper argues that the concepts of disability, poverty and technology, are best understood in terms of dynamic social processes and sets out an approach to disability and development based on the social model of disability.

1.3. It argues that national and international statistics on the prevalence or incidence of physical and/or mental impairment are inadequate. Furthermore, such data offers a partial and often misleading notion of social reality of disability in developing countries. It cannot, therefore, be used to gauge the specific needs of disabled people or as a basis for estimating costs and benefits of any particular programme.

1.4. It argues the need to formulate an integrated strategy towards disability and development. It recognises the value of the KAR Programme, and recommends that DFID maintain its commitment to funding initiatives in applied or action-research.

1.5. It considers the KAR Programme in Disability and Healthcare Technology and its procedures for selecting projects for funding, and recommends specifically that disability equality training and robust mechanisms for involving disabled people and their organisations be introduced. It examines the specific criteria adopted for judging project concept notes and proposals and makes recommendations regarding the choice and weighting of criteria.

1.6. Finally, it provides a set of recommendations, a) for DFID in general, b) for DFID in relation to the KAR Programme, c) for the Programme Managers and d) with respect for further work to be undertaken.