Background: In 2018, in Uzbekistan, there are approximately 654.6 thousand PWD (PWD) representing 2 percent of the population, which is low when compared with the CIS countries. These low official figures on the number of PWD in the country may be explained to the outdated Soviet-era system in which disability is self-reported. Recently, the government of Uzbekistan has taken steps to strengthen the social inclusion of PWD and expand equitable opportunities. The objective of the assessment is to understand (1) the policy framework for PWD and the nature and scope of available services for PWD, and (2) the demand for these services from a beneficiary perspective with a specific focus on the gaps in existing services and barriers to access the physical infrastructure and other barriers in accessing them.

Methods:  The assessment was conducted through:  (1) a desk review of available policy and strategic documents as well as documentation, reports, surveys, and research on the different programs and services for PWD across all sectors (that is, employment, education, and health services, and access to urban transport, (2) two focus group discussion (FGDs) to gather disabled person perspectives on access to related gaps, barriers, and needs in the cities of Tashkent and Namangan between February and April 2020 totaling y 45 participants, and (3) an observational assessment on the quality of the amenities for PWD.