Locations of Residential Institutions and Special Schools Visited By Human Rights Watch

Israel’s 13-year closure of the Gaza Strip along with neglect by Hamas authorities, significantly encumber the day-to-day life of tens of thousands of Palestinians with disabilities. Sweeping Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods, at times exacerbated by restrictive policies by Palestinian authorities, curb access to assistive devices, health care, and electricity essential to many people with disabilities. Chronic power outages in particular jeopardize the rights of many people with disabilities who need light to communicate using sign language, or need equipment powered by electricity to move, including elevators and electric mobility scooters.

Worldwide Campaign to End Shackling, Shame

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Afghan women and girls with disabilities face high barriers, discrimination, and sexual harassment in accessing government assistance, health care, and schools.

Thousands of people with mental health conditions across Nigeria are chained and locked up in various facilities where they face terrible abuse.

Mobile Unit Helps Keep People Out of the Hospital

Each month, about one million people cross through checkpoints like Stanytsia Luhanska in east Ukraine. More than half are older people traveling into areas under Ukrainian control to collect social benefit payments.

Pensioners who live in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine under the control of Russia-backed armed groups must register as displaced people and travel to government controlled areas to receive their pensions. When they travel through the crossing point in the Luhansk region, they face risks to their health, safety and property, among other obstacles.