On a global scale, WHO's findings clearly demonstrate centrality of intersectionality to understanding disability.
A report by the organisations notes that "disability disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Results from the World Health Survey indicate a higher disability prevalence in lower income countries than in higher income countries. People from the poorest wealth quintile, women, and older people also have a higher prevalence of disability. People who have a low income, are out of work, or have low educational qualifications are at an increased risk of disability"
Intersectionality And Disability
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As earlier noted, intersectionality takes into account the ways in which the various identities of the PwD all intersect to produce a unique set of experiences which could be understood through the lens of privilege and oppression.
For instance, it is not uncommon to see strong intersections between poverty and disability in many parts of the world -- both in rich and developing countries.
For instance, the World Bank estimates that 20 per cent of the world’s poorest people have some kind of disability, and tend to be regarded in their own communities as the most disadvantaged.
The relationship between poverty and disability is also shaped by sex, ethnic group, level of education, and family's socioeconomic status, and level of family support.
In Canada the highest rates of poverty for adults aged 15 to 64 were found among those with severe disabilities who either live alone or were lone parents.
- Canadian Survey on Disabilities, 2017