A qualitative cross-sectional study exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments in Svay Reing and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia

Wilbur, Jane; Pheng, Pharozin; Has, Rithysangharith; Nguon, Sophak Kanika; Banks, Lena Morgon; Huggett, Chelsea; Scherer, Nathaniel; Biran, Adam

doi:10.3389/frwa.2022.963405

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…A consistent finding across studies which explore inclusive WASH is that caregivers are not recognized for the critical support roles they often play in supporting people with disabilities and older adults with WASH and maintaining personal hygiene (21,26,30,(49)(50)(51). Our study found a greater emphasis on caregivers (Family resource) than in other studies (37,39,48).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

The inclusion of disability and aging in COVID-19 hygiene behavior change interventions across low-and middle-income countries: A review using the COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist

Wilbur

Wapling

2022

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionPeople with disabilities and older adults face a high risk of dying from COVID-19. Handwashing with soap and sanitizing surfaces were recommended to disrupt COVID-19 transmission. Yet, in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), these populations have inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and are not reached by public health campaigns. The Hygiene Behavior Change Coalition (HBCC) was set up to limit the spread of COVID-19 in LMICs. Twenty organizations working across 37 countries were funded to encourage populations to adopt recommended personal hygiene behaviors. This study aims to review the inclusion of disability, aging, and caregiving in HBCC grantee interventions.MethodsA COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist, which incorporates core concepts of human rights, was developed to support the inclusion of disability, aging and caregivers in interventions. The Checklist was applied to 137 documents submitted to donors within the HBCC fund to assess inclusion. Eligible grantee programme documents related to HBCC-funded projects were identified between August 2020 and January 2021. Feedback was provided to grantees recommending how to strengthen the inclusion of disability, aging, and caregiving.ResultsMost organizations identified people with disabilities, older adults and caregivers as target groups, but targeted activities to include them were scarce. Where efforts were made, immediate needs rather than rights were addressed. For example, the construction of accessible handwashing facilities featured more prominently than ensuring the participation of these groups. Examples of the coverage of core concepts in interventions included generating data with these groups and developing interventions accordingly. Limitations to inclusion were inconsistent organizational approaches, inability to monitor media campaigns, and inadequate coverage of disability and aging in donor's grant funding mechanisms.ConclusionTo ensure these populations benefit from efforts, they must be explicitly identified as target groups, with assigned actions that are monitored; efforts must go beyond accessible WASH services to ensure the meaningful participation of these groups. The COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist supports this but requires further testing to assess its appropriateness and effectiveness.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

The inclusion of disability and aging in COVID-19 hygiene behavior change interventions across low-and middle-income countries: A review using the COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist

Wilbur

Wapling

2022

Front. Public Health

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“…The conceptual framework for assessing the elements of accessibility on university websites was developed through a combination of data-driven insights and established principles from prior research. We conducted an extensive literature review on digital accessibility, inclusivity in higher education, and disability support services, drawing from guidelines by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) [ 19 ] and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [ 20 ], to gauge their inclusivity and provision of support for individuals with disabilities, as summarized in Table 1 [ 2 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. From this review, we identified core elements essential for evaluating accessibility and inclusivity: accessibility services, inclusive policies, academic accommodations, empowerment initiatives, timely updates, community engagement, user-friendly access to support services, and success stories.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Inclusive Learning Environments: Leveraging University Websites for Digital Empowerment in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Mohammad,

Aldakhil

2024

Healthcare

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In an era of global interdependence, universities play a crucial role in promoting social responsibility and sustainable development. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities emphasizes the empowerment of individuals with disabilities, a key aspect of inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of digital platforms to ensure equitable opportunities, particularly for those with disabilities. It highlighted challenges in transitioning to remote operations and stressed the importance of accessible digital tools in maintaining inclusivity during disruptions. This study investigates how university websites promote social responsibility and empower individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US. It also examines how these websites foster inclusivity, advocate for disability rights, and contribute to societal change. Using a qualitative case study design, the study evaluated university websites focusing on accessibility services, inclusive policies, and academic accommodations. Qualitative content and thematic analyses identified recurring themes and variations. The findings reveal diverse strategies in empowerment initiatives, website maintenance practices, community engagement approaches, the accessibility of support services, and the presentation of success stories. Despite differences among websites, this study underscores their significance in empowering individuals with disabilities. Recommendations aim to guide universities worldwide in enhancing their digital platforms, ensuring inclusivity, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…Evidence has also shown that households and individuals often bear responsibility for developing coping strategies for accessing and using WASH services that are inadequately meeting the needs of people with disabilities. For example, constructing a guide rope from the house to the toilet of a person with visual impairment or piping water to the bed to bathe a person unable to sit out of bed unaided [22,23]. However, financing these adaptations of existing WASH services to make them more accessible may compound the financial and economic vulnerability of many people with disabilities and their households.…”

Section: Access To Disability-inclusive Wash In Householdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Caregivers providing full-time care also find it very difficult to leave home. Yet, many WASH interventions are delivered in communities or schools, and minimal efforts are made to support people with disabilities and their caregivers to attend or provide outreach to people's homes for those unable to leave [22,23,34,35]. In Nepal, caregivers reported missing out on menstrual health interventions delivered in their communities, making them less informed about the topic for themselves and the person they support [34].…”

Section: Many People With Disabilities and Their Caregivers Cannot Le...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing water, sanitation and hygiene inequalities: A review of evidence, gaps, and recommendations for disability-inclusive WASH by 2030

Wilbur,

Dreibelbis,

Mactaggart

2024

PLOS Water

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One in six people worldwide experiences significant disability. Many of these people living in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, a fundamental necessity for health and well-being. This review aimed to examine the existing evidence on disability and WASH in LMICs, identify gaps and make recommendations to strengthen disability-inclusive WASH research, policies and practices to make significant progress by 2030. While evidence of WASH challenges faced by people with disabilities has grown in the last decade, revealing significant inequalities, there is a lack of controlled studies to assess the impact of disability-inclusive WASH interventions. This research gap makes it difficult to prioritise investments for scalable solutions. This review proposes three key recommendations: 1) Further expand research on WASH challenges faced by people with disabilities, prioritising climate risks, health impacts, and educational inequalities. 2) Design and test evidence-based disability-inclusive WASH interventions. 3) Rigorously evaluate these interventions to determine what successfully reduces WASH disparities for people with disabilities and their caregivers cost-effectively. This review is the first to synthesise available evidence across disability and WASH and offer a roadmap for future efforts to drive improvements in disability-inclusive WASH by 2030.

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A qualitative cross-sectional study exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments in Svay Reing and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia

Abstract: Biran A ( ) A qualitative cross-sectional study exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments in Svay Reing and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia. Front. Water : . doi: .

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

The inclusion of disability and aging in COVID-19 hygiene behavior change interventions across low-and middle-income countries: A review using the COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist

The inclusion of disability and aging in COVID-19 hygiene behavior change interventions across low-and middle-income countries: A review using the COVID-19 Inclusive WASH Checklist

Promoting Inclusive Learning Environments: Leveraging University Websites for Digital Empowerment in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Addressing water, sanitation and hygiene inequalities: A review of evidence, gaps, and recommendations for disability-inclusive WASH by 2030

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