Implementing the Inter-agency Standing Committee Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit promoted the development of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s "Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action." These guidelines offer humanitarian actors practical information, enabling them to identify and respond to the needs, rights, and specific requirements of persons with disabilities, while taking their capacities into account. They outline the four “must-do” actions (MDAs) in humanitarian programming: (1) promote meaningful participation; (2) remove barriers; (3) empower persons with disabilities; support them to develop their capacities; and (4) disaggregate data for monitoring inclusion. This qualitative scoping review explores the specific role and (the degree of) impact of the "IASC Guidelines" and their MDAs on humanitarian practice. Our findings show that these guidelines bring together, build on, and reinforce earlier research. They also suggest that practical evidence of what does and does not work across humanitarian sectors and contexts is still limited. Interestingly, grey literature by humanitarian organizations pays more attention to the four MDAs than scholarly work. Greater awareness and application of the "IASC Guidelines," particularly their four MDAs, are needed for meaningful progress towards more disability inclusive humanitarian action. This article also discusses issues for further research in this respect.