The 2012 London Paralympics captivated the world's attention with the strength of the human spirit demonstrated by people with disabilities. We were all moved by the determination and perseverance of the athletes to overcome the odds that defeat so many of us.
What we saw at the London Paralympics gives us reason to pause and reflect on the everyday struggles of people with disabilities. Here in the Asia-Pacific region, there are 650 million people with disabilities. They account for 15 percent of the population, but they are mostly unseen, unheard and uncounted.
Evidence indicates that people with disabilities are among the most marginalized in society. The most common reasons are a lack of education and limited employment opportunities.