Although considerable funds have been raised for disability projects in developing countries, most funding has gone to building rehabilitation centres, educating specialists or providing sophisticated technical devices. There have been few benefits for the vast majority of disabled people in urban slums and rural areas. Pushed into poverty People with disabilities may feel ashamed because they are unable, or not allowed, to contribute to the family income, or they may be over-protected. This decreases their confidence in themselves. Even where opportunities exist for participation in work or income-generating schemes, disabled people may be excluded.
Disability also affects families.
Caring for disabled family members may sap the time and energy of relatives and neighbours, particularly of women who play the main caring role. Yet these are often expensive, ineffective and, sometimes, harmful. For poor people with disabilities, rehabilitation programmes are unlikely to succeed unless these broader issues are tackled. Some disabilities are directly related to poverty and vulnerability. Poor people are more exposed to pollution and sometimes also to natural disasters, such as earthquakes or landslips, if their houses are badly constructed or poorly sited.