In Latin America and the Caribbean, approximately one in seven people live with some form of disability, whether it’s physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental. It is estimated that this proportion will increase to one in five people in the next three decades due to the rapid aging of the population in the region. Having a disability is not uncommon; rather, it is an intrinsic part of our human diversity.
However, people with disabilities continue to face barriers that limit their participation on equal terms in virtually all aspects of life. This increases their vulnerability during crises. Additionally, discrimination and the lack of accessibility and inclusive services exacerbate inequalities, intersecting with other identities such as gender, age, ethnic origin, among others.
Despite legal and political advancements to promote inclusion, there is still a lack of solid evidence regarding the effectiveness of these initiatives. Closing the knowledge gaps is crucial for designing scalable and effective policies that address the challenges faced by people with disabilities in the region, taking into account population aging.
New Call for Proposals! The GDLab has Launched a Research Call Aimed at Closing the Gaps
The GDLab, the Gender and Diversity Knowledge Initiative of the IDB Group, has launched a research call that seeks robust proposals to generate quantitative evidence on effective programs and policies that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in areas such as education, employment, social protection, health, housing, and transportation.
This call is open to researchers, universities, research centers, and specialists from the public and private sectors, as well as IDB staff associated with external research teams.
The proposals will be evaluated by an expert scientific committee composed of specialists from the IDB Group and invited external advisors, Marcus A. Winters (Boston University) and Beatrix Eugster (University of St. Gallen). The committee will assess the proposals based on their relevance, innovation, scalability, replicability, methodological quality, and the team’s capacity to carry out the research project.
The application deadline is May 12, 2024. More information about the call and the application process is available in the brochure linked below.
The GDLab call for proposals is part of a series of efforts aimed at promoting knowledge generation with an impact on the well-being of people with disabilities in the region. We invite you to explore these three resources:
- A GDLab Policy Brief that summarizes relevant evidence and knowledge gaps in areas such as education, social protection, and labor markets.
- GDLab’s “Evidence for Inclusion” Webinar Series that explores how high-quality evidence enables the identification of effective policies to promote equity, well-being, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
- An Academic Seminar organized by GDLab, the Gender and Diversity Division, and the Research Department of the IDB. This seminar delves into cutting-edge studies on the topic.
Join us in closing the knowledge gaps related to the inclusion of people with disabilities through rigorous and innovative research. This call represents an unprecedented opportunity for researchers and institutions to access funding and support for impactful work that can transform the lives of people with disabilities in our region.
Together, we can advance evidence generation to guide more inclusive policies! Don’t miss this opportunity—be part of this call.
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