The study investigates recent efforts made by the United Nations to ensure the participation
of persons with disabilities in the designing of a post-2015 development framework
that will build on the progress catalysed by the Millennium Development Goals. Anchored
in the participatory development theory, the study examines the consultation process
held between 2012 and 2013, analysing the correlation between the extensive online
consultation and the Open Working Groups’ proposal for Sustainable Development
Goals. Through a qualitative content analysis the study aims to investigate how well the
contributions of the online consultation have been included in the proposal. The study
finds that while themes expressed by persons with disabilities can be identified within the
proposal, only a few directly articulate the details. Out of the themes expressed by persons
with disabilities, several are unable to find in the Sustainable Development Goals and did
not have a strong linkage with persons with disabilities. The reflective discussion of the
study elaborates the reasons behind the empirical findings and states how the contributions
have been included, indicating that “real” participation of persons with disabilities
has taken place in the design stage.