This table presents a few examples of surveys that include modules or questions on disability. It is by no means comprehensive, but includes useful and interesting examples.
| Name |
Focus |
Location |
Features |
| Unicef Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) |
Primarily focuses on children aged 5 and under. Questions also asked about parents and household. |
The current round of MICS surveys are being conducted in 40 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. |
- One priority of Unicef is to improve the protection of children from abuse and discrimination, both of which disabled children are particularly prone to.
- Uses ICF framework, and asks questions on impairments (and some health conditions such as epilepsy), and activity limitations.
- Consists of one module on disability that can be related to contextual factors such as education.
- Note that not all countries conducting a MICS survey will include the disability module.
|
| English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) |
Focuses exclusively population aged 50 and over. |
Only conducted in England. |
- Longitudinal survey and collection of biomarkers.
- Collects information on health, social participation, economic status, cognitive function, psychosocial health and household demographics.
- Provides data on health conditions, specific impairments, activity limitation, and participation restriction.
- Combines self-reported health with external assessment.
|
| Plan International |
The survey was only conducted on sponsored children aged 17 and under. |
Covers 1.4 million children across 50 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. |
- Plan is a children’s development organisation with a child sponsorship scheme.
- Detailed information is collected on all sponsored children, including a binary question on impairment and disability (yes/no). If the answer is positive, one further question is asked on the type of impairment.
- Data on children with disabilities can then be compared with data on children without, and participation and discrimination levels can be assessed.
|
| The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) |
Focuses exclusively on the population aged 50 and over. |
Covers 19 European countries + Israel. |
- Longitudinal panel study
- Asks about long term health conditions, activity limitation and specific impairments.
- Wave 3 has included collection of biomarkers.
- These can then be related to contextual demographic data.
|
| The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) |
Focuses exclusively on the population aged 50 and over. |
Covers North America only. |
- Longitudinal panel study.
- Asks questions on cognition, mental health, functional limitations and activities of daily living.
- This information can then be related to contextual data on age, gender, housing, income, etc.
|