Disability in the Caribbean: What We Know and How to Promote Inclusion 

An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study projects that by 2050, more than one in five individuals in The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago will have a disability. The increase of 5.9 percentage points from the 2020 projection is significant. Given the fast-aging population, this demographic shift highlights the need for urgent action.  

While Caribbean nations have made strides by committing to international conventions and incorporating the rights of persons with disabilities into national legal frameworks, challenges remain in translating these commitments into effective social and economic inclusion. Addressing these gaps is not only a legal obligation but also crucial for sustainable development. 

Who are we referring to when we talk about persons with disabilities? 

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, disability status does not depend solely on physical characteristics. It is the result of the interaction of a long-term impairment with external attitudinal or structural barriers that limit effective participation in society. This concept marks a shift from older medical model and emphasizes the role of society in eliminating environmental obstacles to inclusion. 

_{Source: Duryea, Salazar Salamanca, and Pinzon Caicedo (2019)} 

A Growing Number of Persons with Disabilities in the Caribbean 

Despite efforts to include persons with disabilities in regional data systems, conceptual and methodological challenges have limited the availability and accuracy of data. To improve this, the Washington Group on Disability Statistics, created by the United Nations Statistical Commission, developed a standardized set of questions for censuses and surveys. While some Caribbean countries adopted these questions in the 2010 census round, inconsistent implementation has hindered accurate disability estimates across the region. 

Projections of Disability Prevalence 2020 and 2050 in 6 Caribbean Countries 

Caribbean countries committed to disability inclusion, but compliance remains limited 

The IDB Caribbean member countries have committed to disability inclusion by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with Jamaica being the first country worldwide to ratify it. To monitor compliance with the Convention, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities oversees the implementation of its provisions, to which, so far, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have submitted initial reports.  

The Marrakesh Treaty, which facilitates access to accessible-format materials for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, has been ratified by Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Regionally, the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society upholds the rights of persons with disabilities to non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and respect for their human dignity. The Kingston Accord and the Declaration of Pétion Ville further strengthen the regional framework on disability rights.  

At the national level, all six countries have enshrined the rights of persons with disabilities within their constitutions or specific legislation. Most governments have established dedicated agencies to support this population, and national development plans reference persons with disabilities. 

Nonetheless, gaps remain. In some areas, legal protections are either weak or misaligned with the social model of disability. Even when robust legal frameworks exist, they do not ensure compliance, and often, the situation of persons with disabilities falls considerably short of legal commitments. Reports using  data from the 2010 round of the census suggest that there are disparities across various sectors in Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. 

Three approaches to foster more inclusive societies in the Caribbean 

1. Enhancing the collection and use of accurate disability data. A critical first step to implementing inclusive policies is to systematically collect comparable disability data across countries and over time, adhering to international recommendations. Strengthening data dissemination is also essential to better inform public policy. In Suriname, for example, a program to support the population census and national statistical system will update data on persons with disabilities and improve the accessibility of disability statistics post-census. 

2. Expanding and enforcing regulatory frameworks. Another approach is aligning national policy frameworks with the Convention, supported by enforcement mechanisms. For instance, a policy-based program in Barbados supported the country’s first national policy aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities. In Suriname, where the national legal framework has many gaps in terms of alignment with the Convention, another IDB program supported the approval of the Equal Employment Treatment Act, which prohibits discrimination and mandates the creation of complaint mechanisms. 

3. Advancing inclusive and accessible programs and services across sectors. Implementing policies that promote equal access and opportunities for persons with disabilities by addressing sector-specific barriers is also key. For example, a social protection program in Guyana has supported increasing access to the public assistance program for persons with disabilities. An education project in Barbados promotes inclusive education in mainstream schools. A grant in The Bahamas aims to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities in the energy workforce. Projects to improve the accessibility of public services in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago seek to increase access to birth certificates for persons with disabilities and improve digital accessibility to government services, respectively. 

Moving forward: Research as a catalyst for effective interventions in the region 

With gaps in policy implementation, much can be learned by examining the broader set of disability policies implemented worldwide. Explore our new report] which provides a landscape of policies in education, social protection, health, and labour markets, and presents evidence regarding the effectiveness of these policies. Numerous evidence-based policies are documented, including some not implemented in the region. At the same time, a large knowledge gap is identified. Closing these knowledge gaps is essential for fostering more effective policies for disability inclusion, especially given constraints on fiscal space.