The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, promotes the full integration of persons with disabilities in societies. Article 40 of the Convention stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention.” Since 2008, ten sessions of the Conference of States Parties have been held.
As one of the leading organizations on the issue of disability inclusion in development, the World Bank will attend the 12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the United Nations in New York, from June 11-13. The World Bank will host two side events and participate in discussions on a range of topics relevant to disability inclusion.
Click here to view all sessions with the World Bank's participation. Sessions organized by the World Bank are listed below.
World Bank Events
1. Digital Identification for Inclusive Development – Global Guidance Note and Lessons learned from West Africa
Thursday, June 13, 2019 | 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Conference Room CR. C, United Nations, New York
Over one billion people globally, including 494 million in Sub-Saharan Africa (roughly 45% of the population), lack government-recognized proof of identification. This hampers their access to critical financial and social services and raises barriers to exercising political and economic rights. Persons with disabilities face several challenges in receiving identification documents and presenting these documents to access services.
Countries are increasingly looking to leapfrog challenges with traditional ID systems by moving to digital identification systems through the use of new technologies. Digital identification systems are attractive to governments due to potential benefits of universal coverage and unique authentication. Digital identification systems use a range of technologies, including biometrics scanners, facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and other emerging mobile technologies.
The rapid moves towards digital identification systems raises both opportunities and challenges in ensuring that persons with disabilities can register for, receive, and use their unique identification. Digital identification systems offer alternative mechanisms to ensure that the lack of breeder documents (e.g. birth certificates) do not hamper individuals’ abilities to receive important credentials and open pathways to receiving economic and social services. At the same time, they need to be carefully designed to ensure accessibility and inclusion. Problems emerge when persons with disabilities are unable to provide biometric data (e.g. due to lack of an iris or fingerprints), algorithms do not recognize certain facial features, or enrollment centers fail to provide accessible accommodations and exceptions. Lack of staff training, and awareness of disability issues can be significant challenges in the universal coverage of digital IDs.
This side event will discuss universal barriers that persons with disabilities face in accessing identification services and present good practices on developing inclusive and accessible digital ID systems. Specifically, it will share lessons learned from Nigeria, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire through the World Bank’s Identification for Development Initiative and introduce a global Guidance Note on Disability and Identification (ID) to guide the design and preparation of national ID projects. Proposed solutions will address both the technology and social/regulatory dimensions of digital identification.
Moderator: Aly Rahim, Practice Manager, The World Bank
Speakers (TBC):
- Victoria Esquivel Korsiak, The World Bank
- Janet Lord, Independent Consultant
2. Every Learner Matters: Disability-Inclusive Education Side Session
Thursday, June 13 | 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm | Conference Room CR. B, United Nations, New York
Responding to the challenge of enabling education system actors to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities, the side event panel on inclusive education for children with disabilities will invite discussion around progress in supporting effective solutions at global and country level to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities. This symposium will bring together donors, civil society, and practitioners, to share progress and critically engage in the following:
- Progress on "access to learning" - Solutions to promote disability-inclusive education within education projects.
- Progress on World Bank’s implementation activities
- Promoting access in USAID projects
- Progress on "participation in learning" - How the education system can be best supported to ensure that no one is left behind.
- Conceptual framework on inclusive education
- Progress on "achievement in learning" - Critical reflections on promoting learning outcomes for children with disabilities.
- Findings from the paper "Every Learner Matters: Unpacking the Learning Crisis for Children with Disabilities"
- Reflections on recommendations from the paper "Every Learner Matters: Unpacking the Learning Crisis for Children with Disabilities"
Moderator: Christopher J. Thomas, Education Advisor, Education Global Practice, World Bank Group
Speakers:
- Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, Global Disability Advisor, World Bank Group
- Diane Richler, Chairperson, Catalyst for Inclusive Education, Inclusion International
- Kakali Banik, Senior Education Advisor, Bureau for Africa, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Mark Waltham, Senior Advisor, UNICEF
- Ola Abu Alghaib, Director, Global Influencing and Research, Leonard Cheshire
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2019