Recommended actions

WASH general and water supply

Preparedness Response Recovery
1. Assessment, analysis and planning
Map OPDs and service providers; gather WASH data relevant to persons with disabilities. X
Identify and analyse the risks and barriers that persons with disabilities face when they access WASH services, facilities and information. Plan measures to mitigate and remove them. X
Collect and make available national and international standards on WASH, WASH practices and WASH accessibility. X
Design or adapt WASH infrastructures in accordance with universal design principles to ensure they are accessible. X X
Review WASH rapid assessment tools; ensure they include questions and indicators on disability. X
Ensure that educational materials (for example, on hygiene promotion) are disseminated in multiple accessible formats and with different delivery options. X
Train WASH staff in disability inclusion. Consider practices, standards, tools and programme designs. X
Map the location of persons with disabilities before WASH facilities are constructed, especially if some locations are inaccessible. X X X
Ensure that intersectoral assessments take account of WASH data disaggregated by sex, age and disability. X
Ensure that WASH technical assessments assess the accessibility of infrastructures. X
Consult persons with disabilities before siting water facilities, to take account of their specific requirements. Do so alongside household surveys. X X
2. Resource mobilization
Include persons with disabilities when preparing and budgeting WASH-related humanitarian response plans or flash appeal projects. X
Budget for the costs of making services and programmes accessible. X
3. Implementation
When standardizing hygiene and dignity kits, consider the specific requirements of persons with disabilities. X
Disseminate WASH guidance and tools. If necessary, organize specific training for implementing staff. X X
Develop WASH cluster/organization guidance in consultation with persons with disabilities. X
Establish partnerships with OPDs and NGOs that work on issues related to disability and WASH. X X
Work with local government and OPDs to develop WASH standards in schools, hospitals and public buildings. In designing these, take into account the specific requirements of persons with disabilities. X
Build WASH facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities; take into account their specific requirements. X X
Consult and involve persons with disabilities when water and sanitation facilities are sited, designed, constructed and maintained. When promoting hygiene, consult similarly. X X X
Adapt the shape and weight of water containers to the capacities of persons with disabilities; make the containers available. X X
4. Coordination
Invite OPDs to participate in WASH coordination and technical working groups. X X X
Plan accessible WASH facilities in consultation with the CCCM and shelter clusters. Follow a similar procedure to place families that have particular accessibility requirements close to communal facilities. X
5. Monitoring and evaluation
Ensure that the standard monitoring tools promoted by the sector report on the accessibility of WASH infrastructures. X
Include disability indicators in routine quantitative and qualitative monitoring; design them to allow disaggregation by disability. X
Invite persons with disabilities to participate in ‘lessons learned’ reviews, efforts to identify good practice, and the adoption of recommendations for WASH programmes. X
Include persons with disabilities in WASH committees. Encourage them to highlight their needs. Ensure they have access to sufficient water and to water points. X
Include OPDs in monitoring teams. X X