One billion people disabled, first global report finds

The proportion of disabled people is rising and now represents 1 billion people — 15% of the global population — according to the first official global report on disability.

An ageing population and an increase in chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, mean the proportion has grown from an estimated 10% in the 1970s.

But, despite a robust disability rights movement and a shift towards inclusion, disabled people remain second-class citizens, according to the report by the World Health Organisation and the World Bank. One in five experience significant difficulties — via redwolf.newsvine.com