Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) The Gambia Programme Office in collaboration with its partners on Disability commissioned a research on issues affecting People With Disabilities. This research is a key component of a series of activities being implemented under the project 'Empowering People with Disabilities in The Gambia' funded by the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) of UK.

Disability is a global phenomenon and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 10% of any population has some form of disability. With this figure, it is estimated that there is at least 60 million PWDs in Africa. Apart from the 1998 National Disability Survey and the National Population Census of 2003, there is no recent data on disability in The Gambia.

The scope of the research is countrywide targeting both Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and persons without disabilities to gather relevant information on the issues being investigated within the context of the Gambia. The research was conducted by a team comprising of a local consultant, representatives from Disabled People Organisations, Regional Health Teams of the Department of State for Health and supported by VSO volunteers.

The aim of the research is to gather baseline information and empirical evidence on the issues investigated to inform policy and advocacy activities. The findings of this research highlight recent developments in the field of disabilities from the global to the national scene in the areas of policy, legislation and development actions implemented. Other findings concern the local context and include attitude towards PWDs, awareness and knowledge on available medical services, membership and participation of PWDs in family and community lives.

Disability is a development concern as well as a human right issue and although some progress have been made, there is still a lot more to do to provide PWDs with the opportunity to participate in the social, political and economic activities like other citizens of this country. However, this can only be possible through the creation of the necessary environment for access to relevant services e.g health, rehabilitation, education and employment. This could be facilitated by the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilituies, the implementation of the African Decade Plan of Action and the development and implementation of a Disability Policy.

It is anticipated that the research recommendations will be implemented to improve the environment for the participation and inclusion of PWDs in the development process in all sectors of the economy.