Challenges at the Intersection of Age and Disability

by Alan S. Gutterman, PhD, JD, DBA, MBA, CPG

The article discusses the challenges faced by people with disabilities, particularly at the intersection of age and disability. Approximately 15% of the world's population has some form of disability, and an additional 190 million people experience serious difficulties in functioning normally on a daily basis. The incidence of disability increases significantly as people get older, and rates of disability are higher in developing countries. While the number of persons with disabilities is large, their experiences are diverse, and not all people with disabilities are equally disadvantaged.

The article notes that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by conflicts and disasters and often encounter significant barriers in their day-to-day lives with respect to access to transportation, infrastructure, and digital technology. Children and adults with disabilities are at higher risk of physical, sexual, and other forms of violence. The article suggests that attention needs to be paid to the specific and unique experiences of subgroups of persons with disabilities, rather than assuming that all disabled persons are the same.