The WHO African Regional Office will convene a webinar to provide an overview of the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action and to showcase learnings from its implementation in the region.
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 16% of the global population have a significant disability, with increasing prevalence due to a rise in noncommunicable diseases, people living longer and ageing with limitations in functioning. However, The Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities, launched in December 2022, demonstrates that persons with disabilities continue to experience health inequities: they are more likely to die earlier, experience poorer health, and have greater limitations in functioning. These health inequities faced by persons with disabilities are the result of avoidable, unjust, and unfair conditions, including structural factors, such as stigma and discrimination, poverty, lack of education, or attitudinal and physical barriers faced at all levels of health systems.
The Health equity for persons with disabilities: guide for action (or Disability Inclusion Guide for Action) is a planning tool to advance health equity for persons with disabilities. Launched in November 2024, it supports ministries of health to identify entry points and plan appropriate actions to strengthen disability inclusion across the health system. These actions are aligned with primary care approaches and can be integrated into the health systems strengthening efforts of countries.
Objectives
- To raise awareness about the meaning and the importance of working towards health equity for persons with disabilities;
To introduce the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action toolkit;
To share lessons learned from the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action in African countries;
To foster cross-sectoral dialogue and encourage country engagemement with WHO tools and reccommendations.
Speakers
/noncommunicable-diseases-rehabilitation-and-disability-(ncd)/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation-(sdr)/about-the-speakers---afro-webinar---towards-health-equity-for-persons-with-disabilities.png?sfvrsn=eed631bc_5 "About the speakers - AFRO webinar - Towards health equity for persons with disabilities")
Date and time
The webinar will be hosted on 4 September 2025, 11:30-13:00 Central Africa Time.
Languages and accessibility
Live translations in English, French, and Portuguese will be provided. Live captioning will be available in English only.
We are committed to making this event accessible and inclusive for all participants. Upon registration, you will be asked if you require any further accommodation or support to fully participate in this webinar.
/noncommunicable-diseases-rehabilitation-and-disability-(ncd)/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation-(sdr)/guide-for-action.png?sfvrsn=d2bf1ae5_3 "Guide for action")