Devex: Opinion: Enabling the SDGs through disability inclusion
Amina J. Mohammed, deputy secretary general of the United Nations

“…In December, the United Nations published its first-ever flagship report on disability and development. The report takes stock of how the SDGs have been implemented to date by, for, and with people with disabilities. The report found that people with disabilities remain at a disadvantage in terms of inclusive development in comparison to those without disabilities. … To address these challenges and meet the SDGs, governments, as well as international and national development programs, will need to prioritize disability-inclusive development. 1. We need to eliminate the barriers causing exclusion of persons with disabilities … 2. Mainstreaming disability into the implementation of the SDGs is also a must, by prioritizing areas that catalyze progress across all SDGs. … 3. Investing in monitoring and evaluation of progress toward the SDGs for people with disabilities is also crucial. … Some countries have already made important strides. … These good practices can be scaled up with political commitment and adequate resources. … [W]e know that the political commitment exists for disability inclusion. But we need to accelerate action on the ground…” (2/27).