A/HRC/44/41 Access to information and communications 42. Persons with disabilities and their families generally lack access to information about available services, protection and reporting mechanisms, and about their own rights. Lack of information can prevent them from accessing vital aid and services. They may be unaware of communications channels, or those channels may not disseminate information in an accessible format to the diversity of persons with disabilities or in a language they understand, particularly for indigenous peoples or other linguistic minorities. Access to information on prevention, hygiene and assistance in accessible formats is particularly important at times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. 26 Protection officers and protection working group members in camps are rarely trained in appropriate communications methods and do not always provide sign language interpreters. 43. It is important to consult with persons with disabilities on their communications needs and preferences and ensure that information is disseminated and that feedback and complaints mechanisms are available through a variety of channels and in a number of accessible locations. 27 Examples of ways to increase access to information include training camp management, focal points and key community members on accessible communications methods; assigning sign language interpreters; and providing all key messages in multiple formats (large print, Easy Read, verbal, pictograms) at information desks, at distribution sites and in safe spaces.28 44. A positive example is the establishment of a team of sign language interpreters roving between a camp and a number of host communities, which allowed for greater participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in community consultations, and gave an opportunity to refer those persons with disability to organizations of persons with disabilities and other relevant services providers when necessary.29 D. Data and evidence 45. The lack of accurate data on persons with disabilities among internally displaced populations is widely acknowledged and presents a significant challenge in analysing, assessing, planning, implementing and monitoring the inclusivity of responses to displacement situations.30 46. A number of factors contribute to under-identification of internally displaced persons with disabilities, including lack of accessibility, adequate capacity and/or prioritization, stigma and unduly narrow definitions of disability, particularly with regard to psychosocial functioning. The operational, political and conceptual constraints on collecting information more generally on internally displaced persons make collecting and analysing data on displaced persons with disabilities particularly complex. 31 In the absence of data, in its guidelines the Inter-Agency Standing Committee recommends assuming that 15 per cent of an affected population has a disability. 47. Nonetheless, in recent years, different actors have been collecting data on internally displaced persons, including those with disabilities, more systematically. For official 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 See WHO, “Disability considerations during the COVID outbreak” (2020) and UNICEF, “COVID-19 response: considerations for children and adults with disabilities”. UNHCR, “Working with persons with disabilities in forced displacement” (2019), p. 14. See International Organization for Migration and Humanity and Inclusion, “Access to humanitarian services for people with disabilities. Situational analysis in Bentiu protection of civilians site, South Sudan” (2018), p. 9. See CBM International, Humanity and Inclusion and the International Disability Alliance, “Case studies collection 2019. Inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action” (November 2019), p. 36. See contributions by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Light for the World, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). See UNHCR, “Obtaining representative data on IDPs: challenges and recommendations” (April 2017).