Recommended actions

Preparedness Response Recovery
1. Assessment, analysis and planning
Obtain available data on the number of children with disabilities. X
Map assessment tools commonly used with children, including in early childhood. Adapt them to meet the requirements of children with disabilities and train staff to use them. X X
Map health service providers and their accessibility. Include professionals with expertise in paediatrics, nutrition, early intervention, early childhood development and rehabilitation. X X
Document the health and psychosocial and nutritional needs of children with disabilities. (For example, a child with a disability who has lost parents or caregivers may also be malnourished or depressed.) X X
Assess what training health workers need with respect to children with disabilities and their inclusion. X X
When screening children with disabilities in needs assessments and health surveys, consider using the UNICEF-Washington Group Child Functioning Module, or other standardized assessment tools that have been tested by humanitarian actors and stakeholders. X X
Identify barriers and risks that children with disabilities face when they access child health services. X X
2. Resource mobilization
Plan, budget and implement training for health staff on the rights of children with disabilities. Include child development, and early detection of disability. X X X
3. Implementation
Make health services and programmes accessible to children and adolescents with disabilities, and their caregivers, by removing barriers to their full inclusion. X X
Involve girls and boys with disabilities, and their caregivers, in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating health programmes. X X
Integrate early detection of disability in relevant programmes. Include school health, nutrition, maternal health and newborn health. X X X
Integrate health information and disability management in maternal and child health programmes and services. Include immunization, antenatal and postnatal care, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health. X X
Integrate early identification and detection of disability in the work of community-based workers and community health practitioners. Assist them to identify children with disabilities, including intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, and refer them for early intervention. X X X
Where child health programmes are delivered through schools, run outreach programmes for out-of-school children with disabilities. X X
Encourage parents and caregivers of children with disabilities to join parent support groups. Disseminate child health information and education through community health centres. X X X
4. Coordination
Coordinate with other sectors to ensure that children with disabilities have access to assistance and protection. X X
Develop and implement referral systems for children with disabilities. Include targeted services, such as occupational and speech therapy. X X X
5. Monitoring and evaluation
Include indicators about girls and boys with disabilities in monitoring tools. Report on the health outcomes for girls and boys with disabilities. X X