... Parul Bakhshi, Rene-Descartes University, Paris, France. ... Many. According to this author,... more ... Parul Bakhshi, Rene-Descartes University, Paris, France. ... Many. According to this author, moral philosophers have unfortunately tended to accept the captivity of forgiveness to issues of individual, personal resentment, banishing from legitimacy the notion of third-party guilt and ...
International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2011
In the early 1990s, UNESCO estimated that perhaps 97% of the world's 650 million disabled persons... more In the early 1990s, UNESCO estimated that perhaps 97% of the world's 650 million disabled persons were unable to read or write, leading to significant efforts throughout the developing world to ensure that all children with disabilities attended school through ‘inclusive education’ programmes. But what of the vast majority of persons with disabilities who now are adolescents or adults, well beyond the reach of classroom education, or the estimated 90% of disabled children who will still ‘age out’ of the system before such inclusive education is available in their communities? In this paper, we review findings from a global literature search on literacy of adults with disability in developing countries which shows that there is currently little in international development, education, health or disability research policies or programmes that addresses this issue. On the basis of these findings we argue that while inclusive education efforts for children are important, more attention also needs to be directed to providing literacy skills to illiterate and marginally literate disabled adolescents and adults. A concerted effort to improve access to basic literacy and numeracy skills through both inclusion in general adult literacy programmes and disability-specific adult literacy programmes is urgently needed to reach the goals for education and poverty eradication established by the new United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and by the Millennium Development Goals.
ABSTRACT Nussbaum proposes a philosophical view of the human being, an approach which is comprehe... more ABSTRACT Nussbaum proposes a philosophical view of the human being, an approach which is comprehensive by non-specialists from various backgrounds. The human being and the conditions of her/his existence are thus seen as the centre of this approach and presented under pluri-disciplinary aspects. Nussbaum presents her view as a basis that can be useful in defining developing policies that are needed. Furthermore, her comments on cultural relativism seem to point out a serious issue: the fact that several specialists and researchers tend to justify certain practices and rituals accentuates inequality and perpetuates the already degrading living conditions for women of third world countries. In today's world, the objectives and goals set for development policies must consist in establishing equal opportunities for all members of society. On the other hand, the ways and means of obtaining these goals must take into account essential cultural elements. In the past, the tendency to respect local culture and practices has often taken foreground. In a world that wishes to move towards equality and improvement of living conditions and of the quality of life for all, an adequate space must be given to variables related to culture and religion.
Purpose: Useful data that go beyond basic disability prevalence are needed to provide guidance to... more Purpose: Useful data that go beyond basic disability prevalence are needed to provide guidance to those who seek to dismantle barriers to full participation in daily life. This is especially true in the developing world where many people with disabilities are at risk of exclusion from involvement in community and societal activities and roles. This paper discusses participation of children to school based on disability surveys completed in Afghanistan and Cambodia.
This paper presents findings on conditions of healthcare delivery in Afghanistan. There is an ong... more This paper presents findings on conditions of healthcare delivery in Afghanistan. There is an ongoing debate about barriers to healthcare in low-income as well as fragile states. In 2002, the Government of Afghanistan established a Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), contracting primary healthcare delivery to non-state providers. The priority was to give access to the most vulnerable groups: women, children, disabled persons, and the poorest households. In 2005, we conducted a nationwide survey, and using a logistic regression model, investigated provider choice. We also measured associations between perceived availability and usefulness of healthcare providers. Our results indicate that the implementation of the package has partially reached its goal: to target the most vulnerable. The pattern of use of healthcare provider suggests that disabled people, female-headed households, and poorest households visited health centres more often (during the year preceding the survey interview). But these vulnerable groups faced more difficulties while using health centres, hospitals as well as private providers and their out-of-pocket expenditure was higher than other groups. In the model of provider choice, time to travel reduces the likelihood for all Afghans of choosing health centres and hospitals. We situate these findings in the larger context of current debates regarding healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations in fragile state environments. The 'scaling-up process' is faced with several issues that jeopardize the objective of equitable access: cost of care, coverage of remote areas, and competition from profit-orientated providers. To overcome these structural barriers, we suggest reinforcing processes of transparency, accountability and participation.
The European Journal of Development Research, 2009
Cet article constitue une tentative d’analyse de certains manquements qui ont ralenti les efforts... more Cet article constitue une tentative d’analyse de certains manquements qui ont ralenti les efforts menés dans le champ du handicap en Afghanistan. Apres le passage en revue des initiatives récentes, l’article présente les éléments qui ont contribué à limiter leur impact. Le développement des services publics de base est particulièrement difficile dans les Etats fragiles. Afin de surmonter les insuffisances
This paper explores the contribution of the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen and other authors ... more This paper explores the contribution of the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen and other authors to policy making in the specific case of disability policy. After reviewing existing models, their translation into action and their limitations in this regard, the paper introduces a new ...
This paper examines the relationship between capabilities, well-being and the impact of developme... more This paper examines the relationship between capabilities, well-being and the impact of development efforts in Afghanistan. Using data from a nationally representative survey, it is argued that very vulnerable groups maintain a positive perception of well-being by referring to collective values and practices. The data suggest that deprivation of individual basic capabilities does not systematically lead to a low perception of well-being if individuals have access to other capabilities such as love, care and participation in community affairs. Nevertheless, access to basic capabilities remains crucial in order to ensure that social norms and expectations cease to constitute constraints and become factors through which agency and empowerment are enhanced. The results also show the dangers of tackling inequalities by designing policies that target individuals isolated from the group.
As a result of the various conflicts over the last three decades in Afghanistan, a large number o... more As a result of the various conflicts over the last three decades in Afghanistan, a large number of persons with disabilities (PwDs) are currently living in Kabul and in the various provinces. The Afghan Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled has the mandate to develop a programme to find sustainable solutions to re-integrate these people within daily life. Stakeholders working in the field of disability, within the National Disability Commission, a new inter-ministerial body of the Government, will define this program, the National Disability Strategy.
The present paper attempts to analyse some of the shortcomings that have impeded efforts in the f... more The present paper attempts to analyse some of the shortcomings that have impeded efforts in the field of disability in Afghanistan. After an overview of recent disability initiatives, this article presents elements that have contributed to the limited impact. To overcome identified gaps, it is argued that Amartya Sen's Capability Approach constitutes a relevant framework for designing disability policy and implementation. While the definition of human development has evolved considerably over the past decade, the translation of this change often remains at the theoretical level, without any visible impact on the policy-making process and in terms of well-being. We argue that one reason for this gap is the paucity of knowledge, and the insufficient focus placed on enhancing the agency of vulnerable groups. Through the example of the National Disability Survey in Afghanistan (NDSA) the paper discusses the need for scientific-based knowledge and the challenges of a research initiative based on the Capability Approach to inform policy design and implementation: design of research tools and methodology for analysing disability issues.
L'enquête nationale sur le handicap est la première enquête représentative menée sur les conditio... more L'enquête nationale sur le handicap est la première enquête représentative menée sur les conditions de vie des personnes handicapées en Afghanistan. Cette enquête s'inspire de la théorie des capabilités de A. Sen et M. Nussbaum en ce qu'elle intègre notamment des questions sur les interrelations entre l'individu et son environnement. Lancée dans la foulée d'une réflexion sur une meilleure efficacité de l'action de l'Etat afghan et de ses partenaires (Organisations Non Gouvernementales (ONG), organisations de personnes handicapées, agences onusiennes...), dans un contexte de ressources limitées, ce projet de recherche a pour objectif premier de fournir des recommandations au décideur politique en vue de l'insertion des personne handicapées dans les politiques publiques existantes. Une telle enquête suscite des questionnements méthodologiques multiples et soulève des problèmes majeurs d'organisation qui conduisent les auteurs à s'interroger plus généralement sur les voies et moyen d'assurer la fiabilité et la pertinence du recueil d'informations dans le cadre d'une enquête par questionnaire auprès des ménages dans les pays en situation de conflit endémique.
... Parul Bakhshi, Rene-Descartes University, Paris, France. ... Many. According to this author,... more ... Parul Bakhshi, Rene-Descartes University, Paris, France. ... Many. According to this author, moral philosophers have unfortunately tended to accept the captivity of forgiveness to issues of individual, personal resentment, banishing from legitimacy the notion of third-party guilt and ...
International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2011
In the early 1990s, UNESCO estimated that perhaps 97% of the world's 650 million disabled persons... more In the early 1990s, UNESCO estimated that perhaps 97% of the world's 650 million disabled persons were unable to read or write, leading to significant efforts throughout the developing world to ensure that all children with disabilities attended school through ‘inclusive education’ programmes. But what of the vast majority of persons with disabilities who now are adolescents or adults, well beyond the reach of classroom education, or the estimated 90% of disabled children who will still ‘age out’ of the system before such inclusive education is available in their communities? In this paper, we review findings from a global literature search on literacy of adults with disability in developing countries which shows that there is currently little in international development, education, health or disability research policies or programmes that addresses this issue. On the basis of these findings we argue that while inclusive education efforts for children are important, more attention also needs to be directed to providing literacy skills to illiterate and marginally literate disabled adolescents and adults. A concerted effort to improve access to basic literacy and numeracy skills through both inclusion in general adult literacy programmes and disability-specific adult literacy programmes is urgently needed to reach the goals for education and poverty eradication established by the new United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and by the Millennium Development Goals.
ABSTRACT Nussbaum proposes a philosophical view of the human being, an approach which is comprehe... more ABSTRACT Nussbaum proposes a philosophical view of the human being, an approach which is comprehensive by non-specialists from various backgrounds. The human being and the conditions of her/his existence are thus seen as the centre of this approach and presented under pluri-disciplinary aspects. Nussbaum presents her view as a basis that can be useful in defining developing policies that are needed. Furthermore, her comments on cultural relativism seem to point out a serious issue: the fact that several specialists and researchers tend to justify certain practices and rituals accentuates inequality and perpetuates the already degrading living conditions for women of third world countries. In today's world, the objectives and goals set for development policies must consist in establishing equal opportunities for all members of society. On the other hand, the ways and means of obtaining these goals must take into account essential cultural elements. In the past, the tendency to respect local culture and practices has often taken foreground. In a world that wishes to move towards equality and improvement of living conditions and of the quality of life for all, an adequate space must be given to variables related to culture and religion.
Purpose: Useful data that go beyond basic disability prevalence are needed to provide guidance to... more Purpose: Useful data that go beyond basic disability prevalence are needed to provide guidance to those who seek to dismantle barriers to full participation in daily life. This is especially true in the developing world where many people with disabilities are at risk of exclusion from involvement in community and societal activities and roles. This paper discusses participation of children to school based on disability surveys completed in Afghanistan and Cambodia.
This paper presents findings on conditions of healthcare delivery in Afghanistan. There is an ong... more This paper presents findings on conditions of healthcare delivery in Afghanistan. There is an ongoing debate about barriers to healthcare in low-income as well as fragile states. In 2002, the Government of Afghanistan established a Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), contracting primary healthcare delivery to non-state providers. The priority was to give access to the most vulnerable groups: women, children, disabled persons, and the poorest households. In 2005, we conducted a nationwide survey, and using a logistic regression model, investigated provider choice. We also measured associations between perceived availability and usefulness of healthcare providers. Our results indicate that the implementation of the package has partially reached its goal: to target the most vulnerable. The pattern of use of healthcare provider suggests that disabled people, female-headed households, and poorest households visited health centres more often (during the year preceding the survey interview). But these vulnerable groups faced more difficulties while using health centres, hospitals as well as private providers and their out-of-pocket expenditure was higher than other groups. In the model of provider choice, time to travel reduces the likelihood for all Afghans of choosing health centres and hospitals. We situate these findings in the larger context of current debates regarding healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations in fragile state environments. The 'scaling-up process' is faced with several issues that jeopardize the objective of equitable access: cost of care, coverage of remote areas, and competition from profit-orientated providers. To overcome these structural barriers, we suggest reinforcing processes of transparency, accountability and participation.
The European Journal of Development Research, 2009
Cet article constitue une tentative d’analyse de certains manquements qui ont ralenti les efforts... more Cet article constitue une tentative d’analyse de certains manquements qui ont ralenti les efforts menés dans le champ du handicap en Afghanistan. Apres le passage en revue des initiatives récentes, l’article présente les éléments qui ont contribué à limiter leur impact. Le développement des services publics de base est particulièrement difficile dans les Etats fragiles. Afin de surmonter les insuffisances
This paper explores the contribution of the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen and other authors ... more This paper explores the contribution of the Capability Approach of Amartya Sen and other authors to policy making in the specific case of disability policy. After reviewing existing models, their translation into action and their limitations in this regard, the paper introduces a new ...
This paper examines the relationship between capabilities, well-being and the impact of developme... more This paper examines the relationship between capabilities, well-being and the impact of development efforts in Afghanistan. Using data from a nationally representative survey, it is argued that very vulnerable groups maintain a positive perception of well-being by referring to collective values and practices. The data suggest that deprivation of individual basic capabilities does not systematically lead to a low perception of well-being if individuals have access to other capabilities such as love, care and participation in community affairs. Nevertheless, access to basic capabilities remains crucial in order to ensure that social norms and expectations cease to constitute constraints and become factors through which agency and empowerment are enhanced. The results also show the dangers of tackling inequalities by designing policies that target individuals isolated from the group.
As a result of the various conflicts over the last three decades in Afghanistan, a large number o... more As a result of the various conflicts over the last three decades in Afghanistan, a large number of persons with disabilities (PwDs) are currently living in Kabul and in the various provinces. The Afghan Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled has the mandate to develop a programme to find sustainable solutions to re-integrate these people within daily life. Stakeholders working in the field of disability, within the National Disability Commission, a new inter-ministerial body of the Government, will define this program, the National Disability Strategy.
The present paper attempts to analyse some of the shortcomings that have impeded efforts in the f... more The present paper attempts to analyse some of the shortcomings that have impeded efforts in the field of disability in Afghanistan. After an overview of recent disability initiatives, this article presents elements that have contributed to the limited impact. To overcome identified gaps, it is argued that Amartya Sen's Capability Approach constitutes a relevant framework for designing disability policy and implementation. While the definition of human development has evolved considerably over the past decade, the translation of this change often remains at the theoretical level, without any visible impact on the policy-making process and in terms of well-being. We argue that one reason for this gap is the paucity of knowledge, and the insufficient focus placed on enhancing the agency of vulnerable groups. Through the example of the National Disability Survey in Afghanistan (NDSA) the paper discusses the need for scientific-based knowledge and the challenges of a research initiative based on the Capability Approach to inform policy design and implementation: design of research tools and methodology for analysing disability issues.
L'enquête nationale sur le handicap est la première enquête représentative menée sur les conditio... more L'enquête nationale sur le handicap est la première enquête représentative menée sur les conditions de vie des personnes handicapées en Afghanistan. Cette enquête s'inspire de la théorie des capabilités de A. Sen et M. Nussbaum en ce qu'elle intègre notamment des questions sur les interrelations entre l'individu et son environnement. Lancée dans la foulée d'une réflexion sur une meilleure efficacité de l'action de l'Etat afghan et de ses partenaires (Organisations Non Gouvernementales (ONG), organisations de personnes handicapées, agences onusiennes...), dans un contexte de ressources limitées, ce projet de recherche a pour objectif premier de fournir des recommandations au décideur politique en vue de l'insertion des personne handicapées dans les politiques publiques existantes. Une telle enquête suscite des questionnements méthodologiques multiples et soulève des problèmes majeurs d'organisation qui conduisent les auteurs à s'interroger plus généralement sur les voies et moyen d'assurer la fiabilité et la pertinence du recueil d'informations dans le cadre d'une enquête par questionnaire auprès des ménages dans les pays en situation de conflit endémique.
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