Centre for Inclusive Policy (2023) The Disability Support Gap: Community support systems for persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries

This resource underscores the vital role of community support for people with disabilities, highlighting their diverse needs across life domains and the disparities in accessing such assistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While families and communities often provide primary support, the absence of well-developed formal support services in LMICs places a heavy burden on caregivers, predominantly women and girls. This lack of publicly funded community support increases disability-related costs, perpetuates poverty and vulnerability, and hinders gender equality. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the insufficiency of assistance for individuals with disabilities. This resource provides a framework for comprehending disability-related support needs and addresses the challenges in establishing robust support systems in LMICs, aligning with human rights standards to promote inclusion, choice, and gender parity.