Lena Morgon Banks
Biographic Data
| ID | 934178 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lena Morgon Banks |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lena Morgon |
| FAMILY NAME | Banks |
| SIGNATURE | BANKS L M |
| AFFILIATIONS | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4585-1103 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 32 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 33 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 32 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Reach, dose, and fidelity of STAR+, an employment intervention for youth with disabilities in Bangladesh
Youth with disabilities face persistent barriers to decent work. STAR+ is a disability-inclusive adaptation of a mainstream skills training program in Bangladesh that provides apprenticeships, classroom training, and disability-specific support. This process evaluation assessed the program’s reach, dose, and fidelity using mixed methods, including survey data from 675 youth and interviews with participants and implementers. Of the youth invited, …
Process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme in Bangladesh
Persons with disabilities are more likely to be excluded from employment than those without disabilities, yet little is known about effective strategies to address this gap globally. This study is a process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme STAR+, conducted in Bangladesh alongside a cluster randomised controlled trial. The intervention comprised a six-month apprenticeship for youth with disabilities to develop trade-specif…
A systematic review and equity analysis of school-based violence prevention interventions evaluated in randomised controlled trials
Experiencing violence in school is a violation of a child’s rights and can increase school absence, affect academic achievement, employment prospects, and later-life health. Effective school-based violence prevention interventions are crucial, however, most are universally targeted. It is less clear if current interventions to prevent violence in schools ensure subgroups of children benefit equitably. We conducted a systematic review. We drew on …
Impact Evaluations for Progressing Disability-Inclusive Development
People with disabilities experience stark inequities across the spectrum of development priorities. Yet they are rarely prioritised by development programmes. The poor evidence base for ‘what works’ for disability-inclusive development is a major challenge to taking action and advancing the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities. The Programme for Evidence to Inform Disability Action (PENDA) was established to undertake high-quality imp…
Are cash transfers enough to reduce poverty and inequalities for people with disabilities
Cash transfers are frequently used as a policy instrument to reduce poverty and address disability-related costs amongst people with disabilities. Recent evaluations, however, have found that these programmes often only have modest impacts. This study presents qualitative research linked to an impact evaluation in the Maldives, involving interviews with 43 people with disabilities. It highlighted factors that could affect the effectiveness of the…
Impact of Covid-19 on unmet needs for healthcare in Peru
The COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s health and access to healthcare worldwide. Still, little is known about how distinct phases of the pandemic – namely the lockdown period and the period directly after lockdown – impacted these outcomes, and whether there were differences in these impacts among different segments of the Peruvian population. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different phases of the COVID-19 response on unmet …
Disability inclusion in Zambia’s government Covid-19 policies
These findings underscore persistent structural barriers to equity for people with disabilities during public health crises. It highlights shortcomings by the Government of Zambia in promoting disability inclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is need for improved provisions across all stages of policy design and implementation to strengthen equity and resilience in future public health emergencies
How inclusive were strategies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 for people with disabilities? Evidence from qualitative research in eight low- and middle-income countries
Consequently, the pandemic compounded existing barriers and inaccessibility experienced by people with disabilities and contributed to inequality
Experiences of accessing education among people with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic had profound impacts on education globally. The pandemic widened educational disparities between young people with and without disabilities, but accounts from low- and middle-income countries are missing from the literature. This article reports on a multi-country qualitative study of experiences of education in low- and middle-income countries during the pandemic. Interviews were conducted with primary, secondary, and terti…
Process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme
Little is known about what works to facilitate disability-inclusive employment. This study reports initial findings of a process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme, STAR+, being implemented across Bangladesh. The study interrogates the design of STAR+ and the structures and processes by which it was delivered. Findings reveal an important role of early involvement of disability-focused organizations in intervention planning…
At risk but not adequately included
The findings may contribute to the development and enhancement of policies and interventions responsive to the needs of people with disabilities in future pandemics in the Zambian context
Inclusion of people with disabilities in Chilean health policy
Improvements are needed in both the development and implementation of disability-inclusive health policies in Chile, to support the achievement of the right to healthcare for people with disabilities and ensuring that the health system truly "leaves no one behind
Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on access to healthcare among people with disabilities
These barriers ultimately led to decreased utilisation of services which, in turn, negatively impacted their health and wellbeing. However, we also found that certain factors, including active and engaged Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) played a role in reducing some of the impact of pandemic-related healthcare access barriers
How representative are organisations of persons with disabilities? Data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries
Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are critical to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. However, little is known about the extent to which people with disabilities are aware and members of OPDs. This study uses data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries to explore OPD awareness and membership. Across settings, about a third of people with disabilities were aware of OPDs a…
The Impact of the Disability Allowance on Financial Well-Being in the Maldives
There are few impact evaluations of social assistance programmes amongst people with disabilities, despite the increasing popularity of disability-targeted programmes. The Disability Allowance in the Maldives is a non-contributory, non-means-tested and unconditional cash transfer of MVR 2000 (US$130) per month. This study explores the impact of the Disability Allowance on financial well-being using a quasi-experimental study design with differenc…
“It Is Too Much for Us”
Globally, people with disabilities face a heightened risk of poverty. Drivers of poverty include exclusion from work and other livelihood activities (indirect costs) and disability-related direct costs–such as for rehabilitation, personal assistance and assistive devices–that are required for participation and functioning. This research explores sources of direct and indirect costs, their impact and mitigation strategies using 42 in-depth intervi…
I might be lucky and go back to school’
These findings carry implications for policy and planning in inclusive education and other services to support the health and well-being of children with disabilities in Malawi
Access to the Disability Allowance in the Maldives
Disability-targeted cash transfers are increasingly used by governments in low- and middle-income countries as a tool to address poverty and exclusion among people with disabilities. However, in many settings, accurate estimates of coverage and an understanding of factors affecting uptake are needed for effective delivery. This study explores coverage of the Disability Allowance in the Maldives, an unconditional, non-means tested cash transfer (2…
The Health of People with Disabilities in Humanitarian Settings During the Covid-19 Pandemic
People with disabilities are at a higher risk of poor health outcomes and face barriers to accessing health services, which may be exacerbated in humanitarian settings and during the Covid-19 pandemic. This scoping review explores how best to protect the health of people with disabilities in humanitarian contexts during the Covid-19 response. Forty-eight articles across the peer-reviewed and grey literature were identified. Key challenges include…
Adapting Disability Research Methods and Practices During the Covid-19 Pandemic
People with disabilities are often excluded from research, which may be exacerbated during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This article provides an overview of key challenges, opportunities, and strategies for conducting disability-inclusive research during the pandemic, drawing on the experience of research teams working across ten countries on disability-focused studies. It covers adaptations that are relevant across the project lifecycle, inclu…
Process evaluation of the Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives
Limited evidence on the design and implementation of social protection programmes for people with disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries constrains understanding of how their impacts could be improved. The Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives is a non means‐tested, monthly cash transfer targeting people with disabilities. Using qualitative methods, process evaluation was used to examine the intervention design, implementation,…
Does disability increase the risk of poverty ‘in all its forms’? Comparing monetary and multidimensional poverty in Vietnam and Nepal
To meet the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending poverty “in all its forms”, it is critical to monitor progress towards poverty alleviation, including amongst people with disabilities. This research used data from a population-based nested case control studies (n=667) and compares monetary and multidimensional poverty levels amongst people with and without disabilities in the districts of Cam Le, Vietnam and Tanahun, Nepal. Overall, the…
Disability among Older People
This analysis of surveys from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) aimed to (i) estimate the prevalence of disability among older adults and (ii) compare experiences and participation in key life areas among older people with and without disabilities which may show vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analysed from district-level or national surveys in Cameroon, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nepal and the Maldives, which acros…
Interrogating and Reflecting on Disability Prevalence Data Collected Using the Washington Group Tools
The Washington Group (WG) tools capture self-reported functional limitations, ranging from 6 domains in the Short Set (SS) to 11 in the Extended Set (ESF). Prevalence estimates can vary considerably on account of differences between modules and the different applications of them. We compare prevalence estimates by WG module, threshold, application and domain to explore these nuances and consider whether alternative combinations of questions may b…
The impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme in the lives of children and adults with disabilities
Globally, people with disabilities are disproportionally affected by poverty. Social protection policies, including cash transfers, are key strategies to address poverty “in all its forms”, but it is currently unclear how such programmes affect people with disabilities. This study examines differences in the impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme (CGP) on food security, health, education and livelihoods between people with and without disabi…
Disability-inclusive responses to Covid-19
Access to social protection among people with disabilities
Although people with disabilities are frequently targeted as key beneficiaries of social protection, little is known on their access to existing programmes. This study uses mixed methods to explore participation in disability‐targeted and non‐targeted social protection programmes in Viet Nam, particularly in the district of Cam Le. In this district, social assistance and health insurance coverage among people with disabilities was 53 per cent and…
Surviving polio in a post-polio world
Excitement mounts as the global health and international development communities anticipate a polio-free world. Despite substantial political and logistical hurdles, only 223 cases of wild poliovirus in three countries were reported in 2012. Down 99% from the estimated 350,000 annual cases in 125 countries in 1988-this decline signals the imminent global eradication of polio. However, elimination of new polio cases should not also signal an end t…
How representative are organisations of persons with disabilities? Data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries
Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are critical to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. However, little is known about the extent to which people with disabilities are aware and members of OPDs. This study uses data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries to explore OPD awareness and membership. Across settings, about a third of people with disabilities were aware of OPDs a…
Access to Social Protection Among People with Disabilities
While people with disabilities are often targeted as key beneficiaries of social protection, there is little evidence available on their participation in existing programmes. This study uses mixed methods to explore access to disability-targeted and non-targeted social protection programmes in Nepal, particularly the District of Tanahun. In total, 31% of people with disabilities had Disability Identification Cards, which entitles them to a range …
Process evaluation of the Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives
Limited evidence on the design and implementation of social protection programmes for people with disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries constrains understanding of how their impacts could be improved. The Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives is a non means‐tested, monthly cash transfer targeting people with disabilities. Using qualitative methods, process evaluation was used to examine the intervention design, implementation,…
The impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme in the lives of children and adults with disabilities
Globally, people with disabilities are disproportionally affected by poverty. Social protection policies, including cash transfers, are key strategies to address poverty “in all its forms”, but it is currently unclear how such programmes affect people with disabilities. This study examines differences in the impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme (CGP) on food security, health, education and livelihoods between people with and without disabi…
Surviving polio in a post-polio world
Excitement mounts as the global health and international development communities anticipate a polio-free world. Despite substantial political and logistical hurdles, only 223 cases of wild poliovirus in three countries were reported in 2012. Down 99% from the estimated 350,000 annual cases in 125 countries in 1988-this decline signals the imminent global eradication of polio. However, elimination of new polio cases should not also signal an end t…
Poverty and disability in low- and middle-income countries
How to conduct good quality research on violence against children with disabilities
With careful planning, challenges in collecting data on disability and violence can be overcome to generate evidence in this neglected area
Access to Social Protection Among People with Disabilities
While people with disabilities are often targeted as key beneficiaries of social protection, there is little evidence available on their participation in existing programmes. This study uses mixed methods to explore access to disability-targeted and non-targeted social protection programmes in Nepal, particularly the District of Tanahun. In total, 31% of people with disabilities had Disability Identification Cards, which entitles them to a range …
Access to social protection among people with disabilities
Although people with disabilities are frequently targeted as key beneficiaries of social protection, little is known on their access to existing programmes. This study uses mixed methods to explore participation in disability‐targeted and non‐targeted social protection programmes in Viet Nam, particularly in the district of Cam Le. In this district, social assistance and health insurance coverage among people with disabilities was 53 per cent and…
Disability-inclusive Covid-19 response
All too often, disabled people are left behind in emergencies, and this is a risk in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This is an important issue, as globally there are approximately one billion people with disabilities. This number includes one in three people aged over 60, who are the group at greatest risk from COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic in the UK has highlighted additional difficulties that disabled people may face. Complying with preventat…
Disability-inclusive responses to Covid-19
Does disability increase the risk of poverty ‘in all its forms’? Comparing monetary and multidimensional poverty in Vietnam and Nepal
To meet the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending poverty “in all its forms”, it is critical to monitor progress towards poverty alleviation, including amongst people with disabilities. This research used data from a population-based nested case control studies (n=667) and compares monetary and multidimensional poverty levels amongst people with and without disabilities in the districts of Cam Le, Vietnam and Tanahun, Nepal. Overall, the…
Disability among Older People
This analysis of surveys from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) aimed to (i) estimate the prevalence of disability among older adults and (ii) compare experiences and participation in key life areas among older people with and without disabilities which may show vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analysed from district-level or national surveys in Cameroon, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nepal and the Maldives, which acros…
Interrogating and Reflecting on Disability Prevalence Data Collected Using the Washington Group Tools
The Washington Group (WG) tools capture self-reported functional limitations, ranging from 6 domains in the Short Set (SS) to 11 in the Extended Set (ESF). Prevalence estimates can vary considerably on account of differences between modules and the different applications of them. We compare prevalence estimates by WG module, threshold, application and domain to explore these nuances and consider whether alternative combinations of questions may b…
The impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme in the lives of children and adults with disabilities
Globally, people with disabilities are disproportionally affected by poverty. Social protection policies, including cash transfers, are key strategies to address poverty “in all its forms”, but it is currently unclear how such programmes affect people with disabilities. This study examines differences in the impact of the Lesotho Child Grant Programme (CGP) on food security, health, education and livelihoods between people with and without disabi…
“It Is Too Much for Us”
Globally, people with disabilities face a heightened risk of poverty. Drivers of poverty include exclusion from work and other livelihood activities (indirect costs) and disability-related direct costs–such as for rehabilitation, personal assistance and assistive devices–that are required for participation and functioning. This research explores sources of direct and indirect costs, their impact and mitigation strategies using 42 in-depth intervi…
I might be lucky and go back to school’
These findings carry implications for policy and planning in inclusive education and other services to support the health and well-being of children with disabilities in Malawi
Access to the Disability Allowance in the Maldives
Disability-targeted cash transfers are increasingly used by governments in low- and middle-income countries as a tool to address poverty and exclusion among people with disabilities. However, in many settings, accurate estimates of coverage and an understanding of factors affecting uptake are needed for effective delivery. This study explores coverage of the Disability Allowance in the Maldives, an unconditional, non-means tested cash transfer (2…
The Health of People with Disabilities in Humanitarian Settings During the Covid-19 Pandemic
People with disabilities are at a higher risk of poor health outcomes and face barriers to accessing health services, which may be exacerbated in humanitarian settings and during the Covid-19 pandemic. This scoping review explores how best to protect the health of people with disabilities in humanitarian contexts during the Covid-19 response. Forty-eight articles across the peer-reviewed and grey literature were identified. Key challenges include…
Adapting Disability Research Methods and Practices During the Covid-19 Pandemic
People with disabilities are often excluded from research, which may be exacerbated during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This article provides an overview of key challenges, opportunities, and strategies for conducting disability-inclusive research during the pandemic, drawing on the experience of research teams working across ten countries on disability-focused studies. It covers adaptations that are relevant across the project lifecycle, inclu…
Process evaluation of the Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives
Limited evidence on the design and implementation of social protection programmes for people with disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries constrains understanding of how their impacts could be improved. The Disability Allowance programme in the Maldives is a non means‐tested, monthly cash transfer targeting people with disabilities. Using qualitative methods, process evaluation was used to examine the intervention design, implementation,…
Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on access to healthcare among people with disabilities
These barriers ultimately led to decreased utilisation of services which, in turn, negatively impacted their health and wellbeing. However, we also found that certain factors, including active and engaged Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) played a role in reducing some of the impact of pandemic-related healthcare access barriers
How representative are organisations of persons with disabilities? Data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries
Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are critical to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. However, little is known about the extent to which people with disabilities are aware and members of OPDs. This study uses data from nine population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries to explore OPD awareness and membership. Across settings, about a third of people with disabilities were aware of OPDs a…
The Impact of the Disability Allowance on Financial Well-Being in the Maldives
There are few impact evaluations of social assistance programmes amongst people with disabilities, despite the increasing popularity of disability-targeted programmes. The Disability Allowance in the Maldives is a non-contributory, non-means-tested and unconditional cash transfer of MVR 2000 (US$130) per month. This study explores the impact of the Disability Allowance on financial well-being using a quasi-experimental study design with differenc…
Experiences of accessing education among people with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic had profound impacts on education globally. The pandemic widened educational disparities between young people with and without disabilities, but accounts from low- and middle-income countries are missing from the literature. This article reports on a multi-country qualitative study of experiences of education in low- and middle-income countries during the pandemic. Interviews were conducted with primary, secondary, and terti…
Process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme
Little is known about what works to facilitate disability-inclusive employment. This study reports initial findings of a process evaluation of a disability-inclusive employment programme, STAR+, being implemented across Bangladesh. The study interrogates the design of STAR+ and the structures and processes by which it was delivered. Findings reveal an important role of early involvement of disability-focused organizations in intervention planning…
At risk but not adequately included
The findings may contribute to the development and enhancement of policies and interventions responsive to the needs of people with disabilities in future pandemics in the Zambian context
Inclusion of people with disabilities in Chilean health policy
Improvements are needed in both the development and implementation of disability-inclusive health policies in Chile, to support the achievement of the right to healthcare for people with disabilities and ensuring that the health system truly "leaves no one behind
Are cash transfers enough to reduce poverty and inequalities for people with disabilities
Cash transfers are frequently used as a policy instrument to reduce poverty and address disability-related costs amongst people with disabilities. Recent evaluations, however, have found that these programmes often only have modest impacts. This study presents qualitative research linked to an impact evaluation in the Maldives, involving interviews with 43 people with disabilities. It highlighted factors that could affect the effectiveness of the…
Medicine (19 works) · Economic growth (17 works) · Economics (15 works) · Psychology (15 works) · Disability Rights and Representation (12 works) · Poverty (12 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Nursing (11 works) · Pandemic (10 works) · Political science (10 works)