Today just over a billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the global population, experience a form of disability (Murray et al., 2012). These can be short- or long-term impairments and often place a person at a disadvantage for full, equitable participation in society.

These barriers to economic opportunities and social services are exacerbated by poverty, with vulnerable populations, including women, children and older people, disproportionately affected.

Read full article by Alzheimer's Disease International, Handicap International and NCD Alliance at Commonwealths Health-Partnerships 2015 e-book (page 91).