Social development has been and continues to be one of the key objectives of the Bank. It has also been recognized as a key area for poverty reduction together with pro-poor, sustainable growth and good governance. Everyone should have access to basic education and primary health services. Poor households should have the right to sustain themselves by their labor and be reasonably rewarded, as well as have some protection from external shocks. This section, as quoted from the draft Bank's strategy on poverty reduction is very relevant to the concerns of disabled people in Asia.
Disability is estimated to be more prevalent in the developing countries.
It has been estimated by the UN that approximately two-thirds of the world's disabled people live in developing countries. In some developing countries, nearly 20 percent of the general population is in some way disabled. As a result, it has even been proposed that the incidence of disability could serve as a good proxy indicator for poverty and development. If disability is a good proxy indicator for poverty, we would need to have a clearer understanding of the links between poverty and disability. Poverty creates conditions for disability.