According to the World Health Organization, about 15% of the world's population is estimated to live with some form of disability. Between 110 million and 190 million people have significant difficulties in functioning. Furthermore, the rates of disability are increasing in part due to ageing populations and an increase in chronic health conditions.

Many countries have provided special support for disabled people to integrate into their communities. In Europe, persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek appropriate jobs and companies are obliged to employ a certain proportion of disabled persons. A French law requires a company of 19 employees or more to employ persons with disabilities accounting for at least 6% of their total workforce. Universities and vocational schools must install equipment friendly disabled students.

Japan has adopted new regulations on hotels’ utilities for wheelchair users, which will take effect from September 2019, coinciding with the Summer Olympics in the country. Hotels with 50 rooms or more must be accessible for wheelchair users.

Unemployed people with disabilities in the US are eligible for health insurance worth up to 1,500 USD per month. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government' programs and services.

More than 170 countries have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and 130 countries have ratified it.