All people, all access: WATSAN for disabled people in Mali

People with physical impairments across the developing world face problems of access and use of water and sanitation (WATSAN) facilities that have not been designed with their needs in mind. Research carried out in 2007 used Accessibility Audits and household interviews (including disabled participants in the research team) in order to identify physical barriers to access and use in two rural locations in Mali. Consultation and observation aimed to provide ideas and the production of adaptations to existing facilities. The research found that transportation and access to facilities can act as a primary barrier in water collection. Simple equipment can aid the use of latrines. However, provisions should not be provided alone - without consideration of factors that make access difficult and unhygienic.