When we talk about equality for people with disabilities, we talk about a world that has been re-
configured to be accessible and supportive for everybody. We talk a lot about some of the
things that might stand in the way of that equality, and one of the most common causes that
people don’t think about is a lack of data.
It often feels like we’re dealing with a massive lack of disability data, and this information is key
to helping make changes to the healthcare system in every country around the world, and
making societal changes that will ultimately benefit people with disabilities and give them the
support they need to live rich and full lives.
The thing about disability data is that it’s very important for helping people to make the right
decisions about the type of support they receive. You need that data if you’re going to navigate
how to provide key support to people who need it most.
Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of data regarding disability. It doesn’t address the number
of people who struggle with disabilities, what kind of support they get, the challenges that they
face, and the key thoughts that they might have about improving everyday parts of life.
Society as a whole needs to do better regarding disability. There are definitely leaps and
bounds being made with regards to what kind of support is available and when it is available,
but it’s not good enough. It’s not enough to just say that there will be change and implement
things after years of debate, we need better policies and more support now.
However, this issue is severely impacted by the fact that there isn’t a lot of disability data
currently available. It makes it that much harder to change things in a meaningful way when
there just isn’t the level of data required to enact a meaningful change. Government policies and
changes require this data. It’s all well and good when we advocate, and we raise awareness,
and this does help, but it’s the data that helps to really convince governments to make
meaningful changes.
We feel that this needs to be the priority now for quite some time. There needs to be a focus on
collecting data and using it to make the right decisions. This information could change lives, so
not having it available is a huge mistake. There needs to be a massive push with regards to
collecting information in a timely fashion, then using that information to make decisions, and it’s
definitely something we struggle with.
Hopefully, the lack of data will be remedied sooner rather than later, and we can get back to
what’s really important, which is making these changes and giving people the support structure
that they need in order to thrive. People with disabilities aren’t going anywhere, so they
definitely need access to more support. Ultimately, it’s clear what direction we need to push in.