Amplifying the voices of children with disabilities in the health sector: An overview of WHO initiatives
Biography: Mélanie Gréaux is a consultant for the WHO Disability Programme where she leads global initiatives to advance health equity for persons with disabilities. She collaborates closely with governments, organisations of persons with disabilities, and research partners to strengthen the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in the health sector, including through participatory approaches that amplify the voices of children and their families in shaping policies and services. With a clinical background in speech and language therapy and a PhD in inclusion and rehabilitation from the University of Cambridge, Mélanie brings expertise in communication, child development, and inclusive health systems.
Background: Children with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality health care, and their perspectives remain underrepresented in health policy development. Recognising this gap, WHO has strengthened processes to embed disability inclusion and the participation of children with disabilities in global and national health system transformation.
Aim: To provide an overview of WHO initiatives that centre the voices of children with disabilities and to introduce the methodology of the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action, which integrates the voices and experiences of children with disabilities in health system planning, implementation, and monitoring – as illustrated by its recent implementation in Côte d’Ivoire.
Method: The Disability Inclusion Guide for Action provides a methodology for health ministries to conduct a situation assessment, unpacking gaps and opportunities to strengthen inclusive health systems and to develop a concrete action plan supported by a monitoring process. This methodology centres consultative and participatory approaches, including focus group discussions with children with disabilities and their families.
Results/findings: Structured engagement with children with disabilities and their families is a fundamental step to uncover critical gaps and opportunities needed to make national health systems more inclusive. In Côte d’Ivoire, children with disabilities highlighted barriers such as the discriminatory attitudes of health care providers and communication barriers. Their parents often faced financial difficulties and stigma in their community. All emphasised that when health services are accessible and inclusive, they feel safer and more empowered to participate actively in their care.
Conclusion: Amplifying the voices of children with disabilities and their parents into health policy processes is both feasible and transformative. The Disability Inclusion Guide for Action provides a practical roadmap for health ministries to mainstream disability inclusion in their health systems through inclusive, participatory processes.
Implications for children and families: WHO helps to make your voices heard by health ministries. By taking part in the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action, you can shape health care that works for you and help design policies and services that truly meet your needs.
Implications for practitioners: By advocating for the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Guide for Action in your country, you can help ensure that children with disabilities receive care that truly reflects their rights and priorities.
Keywords: children’s voices, health, interdisciplinary, innovations, international communities, policy, qualitative methods
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: