Disability inclusivity: time to step up

Beyond an inclusive health system, society as a whole can be disability inclusive. According to UNICEF children with disabilities are 42% less likely to have foundational reading and numeracy skills and 49% more likely to have never attended school compared with children without disabilities. Importantly, education is a key determinant of health and mortality, as we recently reported. Inclusive schools and provisions for those with special educational needs and disability are essential steps towards equity for children with disabilities. In turn, this could improve employment equity. Indeed, according to UN data, people with disabilities are more likely to experience unemployment than people without disabilities, with rates of up to 90% in some low-income and middleincome countries, as well as experiencing more financial hardship. Inclusivity in all of society can substantially reduce social isolation and increase mental wellbeing. Inclusion can come from the accessibility of public transport, buildings and spaces, representation in society, such as employment in customer-facing roles, media, and politics, and improving disability awareness and education. Importantly, including people with disabilities in decisions on building an inclusive society is key. experience a higher risk of health inequity, lower life expectancy, social exclusion, and barriers to education