Developing disability equality indicators: national and transnational technologies of governance

Abstract

The paper assesses the development of disability equality outcome indicators in 35 European countries in a context of the global governance of human rights and development. Outcome indicators are well-known in other fields, notably in the field of gender equality, but have been much less evident in the disability field. This is, in part, due to difficulties of disability definition and measurement but also reflects the relatively recent formalisation of disability equality as a global human rights concern. Over the past decade there has been a rising expectation on states to structure and quantify their monitoring of disability equality and rights. Despite this there is only patchy evidence that transnational governance frameworks have had any great effect on states’ compliance with this. The first part of the paper reviews the meaning of disability equality and the duty on states to monitor it. The second part assesses the progress made in European countries, including examples of variations in approach and coverage. Acts of equality measurement make injustices more visible and more governable. In this sense public investment in disability equality indicators is still much needed.