The Urgent Need for Intersectional Disability Data: Evidence, Examples, and a Way Forward
By Open Data Watch
26 September 2025
In today’s complex and interconnected world, truly inclusive and evidence-based policy must be built on data that reflect the realities of all people—including those at the margins. Intersectional data offers a critical tool for understanding how overlapping identities—such as disability, gender, age, ethnicity, indigeneity, income level, and geography—shape people’s lived experiences. Without it, data systems risk overlooking those most likely to be left behind.
Persons with disabilities face a wide range of systemic barriers to full participation in society. When disability intersects with other forms of marginalization, the effects compound, often deepening inequality and exclusion. Yet, despite this urgent need, disaggregated, intersectional data on persons with disabilities remain limited in many countries, hindering the development of responsive, inclusive policies.
Why Intersectional Disability Data Matters
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits us to “leaving no one behind.” To meet that promise, data systems must be capable of revealing who is being left behind—and why. Intersectional disability data shine a light on the barriers faced by those with multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination.
Open Data Watch’s new report “Intersectional Data and Persons with Disabilities” highlights how intersectional data collection and use can be transformative as they provide:
- Evidence to guide policy that is responsive to the most underrepresented groups.
- Empowerment for communities, particularly when they are part of the data process.
- Connection between communities and decision-makers, enabling more inclusive governance.
Key Findings from Community-Led Efforts
Building on the Open Data Watch and Data2X intersectionality and data framework, three case studies of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) leading data processes were profiled in the Open Data Watch “Intersectional data and persons with disabilities” report (2025). A few key findings and recommendations emerged from the report:
- Intersectional disability data collection uncovers hidden challenges, enables targeted, impactful solutions, provides increased awareness and empowers communities.
- Contextual flexibility is essential—intersectionality must be adapted to each community’s reality and distinct characteristics.
- Intersectional disability data findings improve connections between disability communities and decision makers to influence policies and make them more inclusive and participatory.
- Community leadership and ownership throughout the data value chain ensures that data are relevant, ethical, safely used and empowering – from the initial stages to the data analysis, storage and use.
- Mutual capacity strengthening is needed between NSOs and OPDs to build sustainable and inclusive data ecosystems. Additionally, technical and financial support are needed to carry out long-term, sustainable data projects led by organizations of persons with disabilities, especially citizen data efforts with an intersectional lens, which can shift data to policy.
- Participatory data processes, including community feedback, create learning opportunities and foster trust.
Recommendations for Action
To realize the full potential of intersectional disability data, the following actions are recommended for NSOs, governments, and data stakeholders:
- Center OPDs in the data process—from planning and collection to analysis, dissemination, and storage.
- Consult OPDs to identify key intersections and ensure relevance to real-life challenges.
- Invest in capacity strengthening for both OPDs and NSOs around intersectional data methods and ethics.
- Apply intersectionality thoughtfully, adapting frameworks to local community contexts.
- Foster long-term partnerships between organizations of persons with disabilities and data stakeholders.
- Prioritize participatory approaches that safeguard community ownership, data rights, and ethical use.
- Disaggregate data across multiple dimensions to fully understand and address intersecting inequalities.
- Ensure sustainable support—technical, financial, and political—for long-term, community-led data initiatives.
Moving from Data to Impact
Producing intersectional disability data is both a responsibility and an opportunity. When OPDs are supported to lead and governments commit to inclusive data systems, we move closer to policies that respond to real needs, programs that reach those left out, and systems that uphold dignity and equity.
As 2030 nears, this work calls us to remember that data is ultimately about people. Investing in intersectional data helps build societies where everyone is seen, counted, and able to thrive.
Link to the HTML report
Link to the HTML report
