Mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities in national development frameworks

Abstract

Development practitioners and governments continue to grapple with how best to ensure the participation of socially excluded and marginalised groups in the development of poverty reduction strategy plans and national development programmes. This paper analyses the challenges involved in ensuring that persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are effectively included in such initiatives, using examples from recent practices in Uganda. It concludes by making some tentative recommendations on how such initiatives can be genuinely inclusive. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Extending social protection to persons with disabilities: Exploring the accessibility and the impact of the Disability Fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana

“…A number of studies have reported that regular flow of social grants to beneficiaries is key to enable them to invest in productive income-generation activities (Banks et al, 2017; Gooding and Marriot, 2009; Mwendwa et al, 2009). This study, however, found that patterns in the release of funds were irregular as many of the participants had to wait for years before receiving the grant.…”

“…Poverty is still prevalent among persons with disabilities in many low-income countries because of non-existent, or poorly implemented, social intervention programmes. Particularly, in countries where social programmes are available, studies have reported challenges encountered by persons with disabilities in their effort to have access (Banks et al, 2017; Devereux, 2010; Drucza, 2016; Goldblatt, 2009; Gooding and Marriot, 2009; Katsui and Kumpuvuori, 2008; Kuper et al, 2016; Loeb et al, 2008; Mitra, 2010; Mwendwa et al, 2009). For example, in Tanzania, Kuper et al (2016) found that persons with disabilities were not specifically targeted in existing social programmes and, as such, their needs were not taken care of.…”

“…For example, in Tanzania, Kuper et al (2016) found that persons with disabilities were not specifically targeted in existing social programmes and, as such, their needs were not taken care of. In Uganda, improper targeting, lack of engagement and limited utilisation and politicisation of funds was found to impact negatively on access to social support for persons with disabilities (Katsui and Kumpuvuori, 2008; Mwendwa et al, 2009). In South Africa, it was found that persons with disabilities were unable to access disability grants due to administrative challenges, lack of information and inconsistencies in disbursements (Goldblatt, 2009).…”

Social Protection and Disability: A Call for Action

“…6 The approach advocated the inclusion of the voices of PWDs in all stages of disability development programming. However, according to recent reviews, there remains a long way to go before a disabilityinclusive approach is universally adopted in development (Kett et al, 2009;Mwendwa et al, 2009).…”

“…In recognition of the fact that PWDs are disproportionately poor and socially excluded, there is a growing awareness among policy makers and development practitioners that PWDs must be included within poverty reduction strategy plans (Mwendwa et al, 2009). PWDs are increasingly being incorporated into national social protection programmes, which typically include cash transfer programmes, noncontributory health insurance programmes, community-based rehabilitation (CBR), vocational training and education programmes.…”