When it comes to data to assess disability inclusion, rather than a scarcity of information; great amounts of data are readily available from many sources. So much so, that policymakers may be overwhelmed with the options. While these sources are not interchangeable, each has value in and of itself. Moreover, the data sources can be articulated as if they were parts of a puzzle, leveraging their key features and advantages. Using a concrete example from the IDB initiative, Mapea lo Accesible (Map What’s Accesible), we show how this articulation addresses the diverse needs of citizens, researchers, and policymakers.
How much data?
Nowadays, we have at our disposal more and higher quality data on people with disabilities coming from many sources.
• Censuses:
Censuses play a crucial role in providing information that is representative of the population with disabilities. An evolving trend has seen a growing standardization in the measurement of disability over time. This standardization enhances the ability of researchers and policymakers to draw meaningful comparisons between countries. Notably, since 2010, at least 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have fielded a short set of questions in their censuses to measure disability based on the recommendations of the Washington Group (WG) on Disability Statistics. Moreover, censuses contribute to the exploration of geographic patterns by offering georeferenced data, enabling a detailed examination of how people with disabilities are spatially distributed across small geographic areas. Household surveys and National Disabilities Surveys are also sources of representative data.
•Administrative records:
Another source of data comes from administrative records. These include – but are not limited to – national disability registries or disability program registries. While not representative of the population of people with disabilities, administrative data can be used to describe the services for people with disabilities, and a description of those using or seeking the services, who are typically the most vulnerable people with disabilities.
•Citizen-generated data:
A third source of data on disability is citizen-generated data. This is information collected directly by individuals, often through digital platforms, from which we can answer questions such as the accessibility of public infrastructure in a city. While the collection is not based on a representative sample, this type of information can provide valuable insights into local needs, priorities, and experiences and represents a powerful tool for fostering informed decision-making and promoting inclusive governance. From this perspective, citizen-generated data can be seen as the bridge between communities and policymakers, driving positive change and shaping a more equitable future.
While the growth of high-quality data is something to celebrate, it is crucial to also acknowledge shortfalls. Despite significant improvements, such as the increasing usage of WG questions to measure disability more homogeneously, our region is still behind high-income countries in collecting comprehensive data on the accessibility of infrastructure for individuals with disabilities. Addressing this data gap is critical to ensure that public spaces become more inclusive and accommodating.
Solving the puzzle: does the “best” data exist?
Is there such a thing as “the best” data source? In the realm of research and policymaking, the short answer is no. No single source of data is universally superior for all purposes. However, the long answer is more promising: the usefulness of information depends on how well it fits the specific purpose and how it is applied.
For policymakers, the real challenge lies in discerning which data sources hold the most relevance for informing their decisions. Each dataset contributes unique insights, and often the sources can complement each other. The key question becomes: which specific sources, or combination of sources, should act as the primary guide for policymakers in developing inclusive and effective policies?
Recognizing the importance of integrating diverse data types becomes crucial in navigating this challenge. Policymakers can enhance their decision-making processes by combining information from various sources. Combining different types of data is like putting puzzle pieces together: once you do it you get to see the bigger picture, you can extract more insights from what you are looking at than before, when you were looking just at one or two pieces.
Success story: Mapea lo Accesible
Acknowledging the significance of integrating diverse data types and addressing existing data gaps in our region—particularly in citizen-generated data—the IDB actively supports initiatives that empower citizens to participate in data generation. This not only offers a chance to bridge the divide between communities and policymakers but also serves as a catalyst for positive change, effectively tackling urgent social and economic challenges in the region.
One of our initiatives, Mapea lo Accesible , aligns with this mission. It not only encourages citizens to engage in data generation but also seeks to integrate different types of data within one platform, providing a user-friendly visualization tool. This initiative leverages the unique potential of various data sources, exploiting their articulation to address existing data gaps.
How Does Mapea lo Accesible work?
Using a broad set of accessibility indicators that are measurable and objective, the main goal of the project is to collect data on various aspects, focusing on replicable information rather than personal opinions. The design and mapping of the project are collaborative, adhering to the principle of “nothing about us without us” in partnership with people with disabilities. This initiative goes beyond standard measures of accessibility, which typically focus on physical disability, by including 10 indicators that capture information related to accessibility for people with hearing and vision difficulties as well as physical difficulties. The mapping efforts extend to government offices, museums, libraries, health clinics, and other crucial public spaces, creating a comprehensive resource for enhancing accessibility across diverse domains.
In the Mapea lo Accesible platform, through the articulation of information that comes from surveys, censuses, administrative data, and citizen-generated data, researchers, policymakers and citizens gain the ability to quickly get new insights and answers to questions like: are people with disabilities concentrated in certain neighborhoods or geographic areas within a city? Is there a mismatch between where people with disabilities live and the places where accessible infrastructure is located? Are services for people with disabilities well-matched with the spatial concentration of the population with disabilities?
In this sense, Mapea lo Accesible is an example of how different data sources can be combined and articulated in ways that allow citizens, researchers, and policymakers to maximize the insights they can obtain from the data on disability that is currently available. The overlaying of the different types of data within one map allows people to easily find accessibility information of public buildings and specific locations of services for people with disabilities in their cities. At the same time, it works as a tool for researchers and policymakers to visually identify patterns in the needs of people with disabilities, allowing them to approach those needs in an informed way.
Towards informed and inclusive policymaking
In summary, the integration of diverse data types is not only a response to the absence of a universal “best” data source but a strategic move towards informed, inclusive, and effective policymaking that benefits policymakers, researchers, and the public alike. The Mapea lo Accesible initiative constitutes a good first step towards the collection of comprehensive and detailed information on the accessibility of public infrastructure in LAC. All cities in the region that would like to join the project are welcome and stay tuned for the release of the platform!
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