Children with Disabilities

A disability includes a physical impairment such as mobility, hearing, visual, and language difficulties, and developmental delays which affect a person’s behaviour, emotional expression, and learning abilities. It includes mild to severe disabilities, from cerebral palsy, paralysis and amputation, to blindness, deafness, autism, and dyslexia. Children may be born with an impairment, or develop one as a result of disease, abuse, or an injury, e.g. many children are the victims of shootings, bombings, and explosions in conflict affected areas.

The degree of disability a person experiences is frequently related to society’s adaptation to meet the needs of people with varying abilities. This is known as the social model of disability which highlights the role of the environment in reducing or increasing the ability of individuals to participate equally in everyday life. For example, a person in a wheelchair has the impairment of not being able to walk. The disability, however, may be that he cannot take up services due to a lack of building access. Protection workers must consider any additional needs or risk factors a person may have as a result of his impairment and disability. Children in developing countries are more vulnerable to disability since poverty and conflicts increase the incidence of impairments, and reduce the provision of necessary health, education, social services, and adaptive provisions to help include children of all abilities.

Children with impairments or special needs are highly vulnerable to discrimination, abandonment, abuse, exploitation, injury and death, since they are more reliant on the cooperation and support of others to meet their basic needs, and may be less able to express their wishes. In some cultures, children with special needs are actively excluded from participating in society since they may be viewed as a source of shame, or unworthy of care and protection.

Government policies should seek to reduce the incidence of injuries and diseases via adequate health care, including education, immunizations, nutrition, and sanitation. All programming and policies for children should promote the social inclusion of children with disabilities at every level. Children should benefit from the reduction of physical and social barriers, adaptation of services and/or rehabilitation assistance in order to enable them to participate as fully as possible in their communities. This includes family support, health facilities, access to education, and respite services to enable children to fulfill their potential. Children of all abilities must be empowered to express their views and to influence their own lives.

The resources in this section focus on children with disabilities in developing countries, and those affected by conflict. They highlight their vulnerability to exclusion and abuse, and provide examples of projects to address the needs of children with special needs.

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Disability and care: resisting the lottery of access in the peripheries of Brazil

Lauren Avery and Vidas Negras com Defi ciência Importam (VNDI), 01 Mar 2025

This report examines the historical and social context of disability and care in Brazil, with emphasis on the perception of mothers and caregivers, highlighting the deep-rooted inequalities faced by people with disabilities and their mothers, particularly in peripheral areas. Brazil’s history of exclusion, rooted in racist, ableist, and sexist ideologies, continues to marginalize Black people, women, and people with disabilities, with Black and poor women disproportionately assigned care roles.

Qualitative Assessment of How the 3B/4D Social Cohesion Approach Effects Disability-Related Social Exclusion in Zambia

Catholic Relief Services, 30 Jan 2025

The Qualitative Assessment of How the 3B/4D Social Cohesion Approach Effects Disability-Related Social Exclusion in Zambia by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) highlights the Inclusive Family Strengthening (IFS) project's significant impact on reducing disability-related social exclusion. The project utilized introspection, intragroup and intergroup connections, and action to foster empathy, acceptance, and support for children with disabilities.

Building Support and Acceptance for Children with Disabilities: Assessment Results from a Social Cohesion Approach in Zambia

Catholic Relief Services, 30 Jan 2025

This report highlights the Inclusive Family Strengthening (IFS) project by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Catholic Sister congregations. This project aimed to improve the wellbeing of children with disabilities and keep them in family care.

Performance Evaluation Report - Inclusive Family Strengthening - Zambia: Positive Parenting Annex for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

Catholic Relief Services, 30 Jan 2025

This report evaluates the Inclusive Family Strengthening (IFS) project's impact on caregivers of children with disabilities in Zambia. It highlights significant improvements in caregiver resilience, social support, and access to essential services. The report notes increased positive parenting behaviors, such as showing affection and rewarding good behavior, and a reduction in the use of corporal punishment.

Evaluation of Positive Parenting Training for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities: Results of a Mixed Methods Evaluation – May 2024

Catholic Relief Services, 30 Jan 2025

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Positive Parenting Annex (PPA) implemented by Catholic Relief Services in Zambia. This initiative aimed to support caregivers of children with disabilities by enhancing their parenting skills and resilience.

Kusamala+ Toolkit to reduce stigma for children with disabilities

Mary Hearst, Paula Rabaey, 2025

The Kusamala+ Stigma Reduction Toolkit is the product of a 10-year community based program in Zambia to reduce stigma for children with disabilities living in family-based care in low-income compounds and improve family quality of life

The Care of Children with Albinism and Disability Inclusive Care Reform

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Learning Platform, 10 Dec 2024

In this webinar, the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, shared findings from her recent report on children with albinism and the right to family life. Staff from UNICEF and NGOs in Madagascar, Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda also shared lessons learned.

The Philippines: Towards Inclusive Care - Assessing and Enhancing Alternative Care Opportunities for Children with Disabilities

International Social Service Australia, 31 Oct 2024

The main objective of this assessment and report is to gain knowledge about children with disabilities without family support, or at risk of being so, and the alternative care arrangements available for these children in the Philippines. In addition, whether there is scope for improvement of alternative care measures in the Philippines in line with international standards.

“They Destroyed What Was Inside Us”: Children with Disabilities Amid Israel’s Attacks on Gaza

Human Rights Watch, 30 Sep 2024

This Human Rights Watch report documents how children with disabilities in Gaza face dangerous situations and additional difficulties as they struggle to comply with frequent evacuation orders and a lack of effective advance warning of attacks.

دمروا ما بداخلنا" : أطفال من ذوي الإعاقة وسط هجمات إسرائيل على غزة"

Human Rights Watch, 30 Sep 2024

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