14.01.2016 Global indicators and inclusion of persons with disabilities

The Report of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) was published by the UN Statistical Division and released on 6 January. Positively, the report contains 9 global indicators with explicit reference to persons with disabilities and additionally declares disaggregation of data by disability as a core principle.

This report defines the global indicators that intend to measure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Global indicators will be highly significant and will be used to inform the annual progress report on the Sustainable Development Goals prepared by the Secretary-General. The data will be collected by the national statistical systems and made available in an international data series maintained by the UN. The report contains a proposal of 231 global indicators, covering all targets of the SDGs. With 80 of the 231 indicators “requiring refinements following further consultation,” an update will be presented in a background document to the Commission. The report will be adopted by the UN Statistical Commission at the 47th session on 8-11 March and afterward will be adopted by the Economic and Social Council of the UN as well as the General Assembly.

A core element of the global indicator framework is the disaggregation of data and the coverage of particular groups in order to fulfill the main principle of the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind. The report recommends “SDG indicators should be disaggregated where relevant by income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability and geographic location, or other characteristics, in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.”


Global indicators and persons with disabilities
The report contains 9 global indicators explicitly referencing persons with disabilities. All SDG targets that reference persons with disabilities have a corresponding indicator with persons with disabilities, except target 17.18 on data, monitoring and accountability. Moreover, there are two indicators that include persons with disabilities that do not have a corresponding target explicitly referencing persons with disabilities. These are poverty eradication: social protection systems (1.3.1) and peaceful societies: representative decision-making (16.7.1).

Positively, five indicators were added since the first IAEG-SDGs report that was released in June 2015. These are in the areas of education, employment, reducing inequalities, and sustainable cities. Specifically:

  • Education: Percentage of schools with access to…“adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities (4.a.1)”
  • Employment: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees by occupation, by age group and “persons with disabilities” (8.5.1)
  • Reducing inequalities: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities” (10.2.1)
  • Sustainable cities: Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities” (11.2.1)
  • Sustainable cities: The average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities” (11.7.1)

While the inclusion of persons with disabilities has increased with the updated report, gaps remain. Thus, is imperative that:

  • Data is disaggregated by age, disability, and sex throughout the global indicator framework
  • Indicators still being discussed are completed quickly and transparently, as well as include persons with disabilities,
  • The disaster risk reduction and climate change indicators include persons with disabilities
  • Linkages are established between the global indicators and regional and national indicator platforms
  • Persons with disabilities are included in the health, gender, and WASH global indicators


Important upcoming dates

Indicators explicitly referencing persons with disabilities

Goals and Targets from 2030 Agenda Indicators
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere  
1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable 1.3.1 Percentage of the population covered by social protection floors/systems disaggregated by sex, and distinguishing children, unemployed, old age, “persons with disabilities,” pregnant women/newborns, work injury victims, poor and vulnerable

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

 

  
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with “disabilities,” indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations 4.5.1 Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as “disability” status, indigenous people and conflict-affected as data become available) for all indicators on this list that can be disaggregated
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, “disability” and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all 4.a.1 Percentage of schools with access to (i) electricity; (ii) Internet for pedagogical purposes; (iii) computers for pedagogical purposes; (iv) “adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities;” (v) single-sex basic sanitation facilities; (vi) basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions)

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

 

  
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and “persons with disabilities,” and equal pay for work of equal value 8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of female and male employees by occupation, by age group and “persons with disabilities”
  8.5.2 Unemployment rate, by sex, age group and “persons with disabilities”
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries  
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, “disability,” race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status 10.2.1 Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities”

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

 

  
11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, “persons with disabilities” and older persons 11.2.1 Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities”
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and “persons with disabilities” 11.7.1 The average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, disaggregated by age group, sex and “persons with disabilities”

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
 		  
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.7.1 Proportions of positions (by age group, sex, “persons with disabilities” and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions

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