Glenn T. Fujiura, PhD, Violet Rutkowski-Kmitta, MPH, and HyeJung Park, MS. Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd.(M/C 626), Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-1977, gfujiura@uic.edu

Disability statistics derived from World Bank development data sets are reviewed in terms of the distribution and social consequences of impairment in the Third World. Core themes include: (1) challenges of reliable international surveillance in disability; (2) the profound linkages of poverty to disability in both the developing world and established market economies; (3) importance of population-level information to advancing a reform dialogue; and (4) a cautionary note on emerging concepts of disablement that are embedded in the ICF and their implications for how we articulate disability and poverty issues in developing nations. Though the dynamics of disability and poverty are different for the developed and developing worlds, the fact of poverty and disenfranchisement is a common thread. Models of advocacy that frame disablement as both a human rights and economic issue must be integrated into international third-world development efforts.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to articulate

• surveillance and definition issues in international disability statistics;
• the connection of poverty to disability in both the developing world;
• the role of disability statistics in fostering a disability agenda among international development agencies.

Keywords: Disability, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.