Making Surveys More Accessible for Persons with Disabilities

There are multiple reasons why persons with disabilities may be excluded and, as a result, not counted in surveys on individuals and households. These barriers range from physical and technological limitations (e.g., respondents’ inability to use a telephone due to physical or neurological disabilities) to cultural biases.

The Inter-Secretariat Working Group on Household Surveys (ISWGHS) in collaboration with the Data for Now initiative of the United Nations has developed a set of guidelines for improving the accessibility of surveys on individuals and households to make all data collection inclusive for persons with disabilities. These guidelines support survey implementers such as national statistical offices (NSOs) and other public institutions responsible for surveys in the planning and implementation of surveys that are more accessible, thereby enabling the collection of more inclusive data.

The final guide will be presented to the Member States at the Statistical Commission in 2027 for comments and endorsement through the ISWGHS network. Increased outreach and advocacy efforts will be made for the dissemination and uptake of this guide. Other anticipated activities include delivery of workshops for selected countries for the roll out of this guide, as well as development of learning materials to support its uptake.

Progress will be reported to the ISWGHS network, as well as to the Statistical Commission. Lessons learnt from its implementation and uptake will be reported at the next UNWDF.