Mainstreaming disability at different levels in the social, economic, political, and cultural spheres
is key to improving inclusive service delivery for persons with disabilities. Mainstreaming
disability is also important in responding to the unique needs of persons with disabilities as they
are among marginalized people in society and mostly live in abject poverty and are faced with
many challenges.

The challenges that persons with disabilities face include but are not limited to unfairness,
injustice, and limited access to different services, employment, socio-economic opportunities,
infrastructure and communication. This is worsened by inadequate implementation of the
provisions in the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012.

The National Disability Survey of 2015 estimates the prevalence of persons with disabilities in
Zambia at 7.7% and is segregated as 10.9% in adults and 4.4% in children between the age 2 –
17 years and 7.2% in rural areas and 8.5% in urban areas. The lives and wellbeing of persons
with disabilities in community settings are closely linked to broader issues in national
development because disability can cause poverty by preventing full participation in the
economic and social life especially when the appropriate support and reasonable
accommodation is not put in place or is simply not available.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia recognizes that disability is a human right and a
developmental issue, hence, the commitment to the protection and promotion of the rights of
persons with disabilities. In a quest to achieve an inclusive society, disability mainstreaming
cannot be overlooked.