Social security for persons with disabilities across low- and middle-income countries: an overview on lessons learnt and pathways toward greater inclusivity

Across the global South, most persons with disabilities are living on low incomes, which impacts on their well-being and ability to participate within society. They also face high levels of additional costs resulting from their disabilities, which places them at a significant disadvantage. Access to social security for persons with disabilities is essential if they are to live fulfilling, independent lives and be fully integrated within society. This chapter provides an overview of current approaches to providing social security to people with disabilities across the global South and demonstrates that, in most countries, access is limited while the value of the benefits on offer is usually inadequate. This chapter argues that it is insufficient to provide only mainstream benefits to people with disabilities and shows that it is essential to establish disability-specific social security systems that offer income support to people with disabilities across the life cycle.