Over one billion people live with some form of disability and this number is growing as a result of population increase, ageing, and  the increasing number of people living with noncommunicable diseases. Everybody is likely to experience disability at some point in their life, especially when getting older. 

Persons with disabilities experience significant barriers and are often excluded from accessing and receiving everyday healthcare services. This can be seen in three main areas:

• Access to effective health services: persons with disabilities often experience barriers including physical barriers that prevent access to health facilities; informational barriers that prevent access to health information; and attitudinal barriers leading to discrimination which severely affects the rights of persons with disabilities.
  
• Protection during health emergencies: persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic because they have not been considered in national health emergency preparedness and response plans.  
  
• Access to public health interventions across different sectors: public health interventions do not reach persons with disabilities because the information has not been provided in an accessible way and the specific needs and situation of persons with disabilities have not been reflected in the interventions.
  

The three videos on this page showcase persons with disabilities  sharing their experiences in accessing healthcare services and health information as well as highlighting the issues they encounter living in a country that is in the midst of a health emergency and humanitarian crisis.

The video features persons with disabilities from India, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia share their experiences when accessing healthcare services.

See how persisting barriers prevent persons with disabilities from accessing the healthcare services they need and the importance of healthcare services to be inclusive of persons with disability. The following persons with disabilities are featured in the film:

• Jitendra K Biswal, Disability Rights Activist and State Awardee Cine Actor
• Geetika Chandra, Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre

• Jane Kihungi, Women Challenged to Challenge

• Blessing Ujunwa, Nigeria Association of the Blind
• Onyemaechi Constance Nneka, The Albino Foundation
• Sulaymon A. Ujah, International Disability Alliance
• Lois Auta, Network of Disabled Women
• Grace Jerry, Inclusive Friends Association
• Hellen Udoye Beyioku-Alase, Deaf Women Allow Initiative
• Lawali Mohammed, IDEA Nigeria
• Sadia Abubarkar, IDEA Nigeria
• Rasak Adekoya, Sightsavers

• Agrippa Shanagombe, Holy Family Centre
• Lundu Mwanakasale, Holy Family Centre

The video showcases the experiences of persons with disabilities from India, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia when accessing health information and sexual and reproductive health services.

The following persons with disabilities are featured in the film:

• Geetika Chandra, Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre

• Jane Kihungi, Women Challenged to Challenge

• Blessing Ujunwa, Nigeria Association of the Blind
• Onyemaechi Constance Nneka, The Albino Foundation
• Sulaymon A. Ujah, International Disability Alliance
• Lois Auta, Network of Disabled Women
• Grace Jerry, Inclusive Friends Association
• Hellen Udoye Beyioku-Alase, Deaf Women Allow Initiative
• Lawali Mohammed, IDEA Nigeria
• Sadia Abubarkar, IDEA Nigeria
• Rasak Adekoya, Sightsavers

• Lundu Mwanakasale, Holy Family Centre

The video shows issues and challenges faced by persons with intellectual disabilities living in Beirut, Lebanon – a country facing  a health emergency and humanitarian crisis.  The video includes key recommendations for governments on ways to build healthcare services that are inclusive of persons with disability.