Disability-inclusive development: a postcolonial analysis in Lao PDR

In the last few years, the international development community has been promoting Disability-Inclusive Development (DID). However, there is no consistent definition of this approach, and it is applied differently by international development and humanitarian organizations. In this article I explore the possibility that Disability-Inclusive Development is creating new forms of colonial power through the work of international organizations in the Global South, and how organizations of persons with disabilities are interpreting this approach. I focus on the case of Lao People's Democratic Republic to understand how and when Disability-Inclusive Development is embraced or rejected. Points of interest International organizations promote disability inclusion through an approach known as Disability-Inclusive Development. Foreign donors, international organizations and local organizations differ on how to include people with disabilities and their organizations. The research addresses Lao PDR as a case study to show how international organizations partner with local organizations of persons with disabilities. The research reveals the difficulty of implementing a Disability-Inclusive Development approach without a good understanding of local organizations. The research recommends foreign donors and international organizations to build up a common understanding of disability inclusion with local organizations of persons with disabilities.