Accessible Information and Policy Participation Are Key to Increasing the Participation of Persons with Disabilities
Ulaanbaatar, 25 September 2026 - Transparency International Mongolia launched and presented the findings and recommendations of its national research study, “Participation and Accessibility of Persons with Disabilities in Decision-Making Processes in Mongolia”, at a national multi-stakeholder policy forum held today in Ulaanbaatar.
The research examines the participation of persons with disabilities in local decision-making processes, their access to public services and information, the barriers they face, and the extent to which their views and initiatives are reflected in decision-making.
A total of 1,072 people from Ulaanbaatar and rural areas participated in the research, of whom 802 fully completed questionnaires were included in the quantitative analysis. In addition, 21 people, including representatives of persons with disabilities and sectoral professionals, participated in the qualitative research.
The General Authority for Development of Persons with Disabilities collaborated in the data collection process and, through its affiliated organizations, supported the participation of persons with disabilities and data collection in rural areas and Ulaanbaatar.
The research findings show that a lack of accessible information is one of the key barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Among the respondents, 54.6% reported that “accessible information is not available”, while 38.0% said that they “do not receive invitations or information”.
In addition, 53.5% of respondents rated the physical accessibility of government institutions as “poor” or “completely inaccessible”, while 43.9% gave the same assessment of digital accessibility.
Only 19.1% of respondents reported being able to participate in budget discussion meetings, while 53.4% said that their previous proposals or initiatives had “not been implemented at all”.
The “Policy Recommendations” of the research include measures to improve the physical and digital accessibility of government institutions; provide information related to decision-making processes in accessible formats; ensure the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the development of local development policies, plans and budgets; and provide feedback on how their proposals and initiatives have been addressed.
Representatives of government institutions, Members of Parliament, human rights organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, civil society organisations and international organisations participated in the event, where the findings of the national research were presented, and views were exchanged on the participation of persons with disabilities and accessible decision-making.
In addition to the research findings and recommendations, the forum included sessions on the current legal and regulatory environment concerning the participation and accessibility of persons with disabilities, experiences and lessons from Pakistan, and perceptions and attitudes of persons with disabilities towards corruption. The forum also featured a panel discussion on the theme “Equal Participation and Accessible Decision-Making.”
During the forum, Transparency International Mongolia also presented a Call for Collective Action aimed at increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
The full research report is available in Mongolian and English on the Transparency International Mongolia website: www.transparency.mn
This research was developed by Transparency International Mongolia under the STRONGG programme, with joint funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
About Transparency International Mongolia
Transparency International Mongolia is the national chapter of Transparency International, the global movement working to end corruption. Established in 2003, the organization works to reduce corruption and strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity through research, advocacy and public participation.
About the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a Government of Canada programme that supports development initiatives in developing countries and is implemented in more than 100 countries worldwide. The programme supports and funds small-scale projects through Canadian embassies, focusing on areas including democracy, good governance, human rights and basic needs. CFLI has been implemented in Mongolia since 1997. During this period, it has provided approximately CAD 9 million in funding for projects aimed at poverty reduction, strengthening good governance and protecting human rights.
Media Contact:
B. Zoljargal, Communications Officer, Transparency International Mongolia
Tel: +976 70120012, 9090 1234Email: zoljargal@transparency.mn
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