SDGs and disability

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 goals have specific targets and are integrated.

Disability is referenced in various parts of the SDGs and specifically in parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and monitoring of the SDGs:
  • Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all focuses on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. In addition, the proposal calls for building and upgrading education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and also provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
  • Goal 8 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, including for persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
  • Goal 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.
  • Goal 11 on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable. It calls Member States on providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems and public spaces for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities.
  • Goal 17 on the collection of data and monitoring and accountability. Member States are called upon to enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS), which would significantly increase the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data that is also disaggregated by disability.