Disability Issues

● What is disability?
● Causes of disability
● Challenges faced by people with disabilities
● Interventions
• The Disabled Persons Act Chapter 17:01 of 1992 defines
a disabled person as: a person with a physical, mental
or sensory disability, including a visual, hearing or
speech functional disability, which gives rise to
physical, cultural or social barriers inhibiting him from
participating at an equal level with other members of
society in activities, undertakings or fields of
employment that are open to other members of
society
• According to World Health Organization disability has
three dimensions:
1. Impairment – in a person’s body structure or mental
functioning e.g loss of limb, loss of vision or memory
loss
2. Activity limitation – difficulty seeing, hearing, walking
or problem solving
3. Participation restriction – in daily activities, working,
engaging in social or recreational activities

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Causes of disability
Disability can be a result of :

• Genetic conditions- Inherited conditions (down

syndrome)
• Acquired injuries – Accidents, spinal cord injury, brain
damage, amputations
• Congenital conditions – Birth defects (Clubfoot, cleft
palate)
• Environmental factors – exposure to toxins, pollution,
substances, poor living conditions
• Neurological conditions – conditions affecting the
brain and the nervous system ( Epilepsy, stroke,
Parkinson’s disease)

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Challenges faced by
people with
Disabilities

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Economic inequality

• There’s higher poverty rates amongst people with disabilities. People with disabilities have
reduced earning potential and increased living conditions as they require more than enough
• According to Nora E Groce, people with disabilities are routinely excluded from most
educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities and they are among the poorest
and most marginalized of all the world’s young people
• People with disabilities face these issues more and it becomes harder for them to
participate in economic structures at national as well as community level

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Violence and Abuse

• Violence and abuse have also been issues faced by people with disabilities
• Reports and experience show that people with disabilities often face mistreatments in a number of
ways and because of various reasons especially their vulnerability
• Evidently women and children with disabilities are more susceptible to abuse, including physical and
sexual violence as they may not receive sexual education and may be less able to defend themselves
against sexual abuse and rape
• Other reports indicate that, the mortality rates for people with disabilities are higher than persons
without disabilities

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Social stigma and Discrimination

• This is the most common issue found within the scope of disability
• Most people have negative attitudes towards mental and physical disability which lead to people with
disabilities being marginalised as well as excluded from active participation in various areas of active
work within the community as well as other work areas not forgetting education
• According to a study by Lisa. I. Lezzoni, the history of disability stigmatization and isolation reaches
back millennia, as ‘normals’ feared contamination or taint from interacting with disabled persons who
were often held morally culpable for their impairments.
• This led to individuals with disabilities having greater disadvantages in education, employment, income,
housing, transportation and other eco-social determinants of health than people without disabilities

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Lack of inclusive activities

• In most cases, people with disabilities are socially isolated and they lack meaningful contact with the
community, this result in them being excluded from activities
• People with disabilities face more challenges and stigma in participation in community activities
engaged in to develop the community
• There’s limited opportunities for social engagement and participation in activities made or put to their
interest and needs
• Instances of people with physical disabilities they are excluded from activities that require physical
participation and even if they want to participate they can not limiting them to express their
capabilities to help

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 Interventions
Community psychology
Advocacy and Awareness

• Advocacy and awareness campaigns are fundamental in challenging societal stereotypes and fostering
an inclusive environment for people with disabilities.
• These campaigns aim to educate the public about the rights, capabilities, and contributions of
individuals with disabilities.
• According to Corrigan and Watson (2002), reducing stigma through public education can significantly
improve social attitudes and interactions.
• By promoting positive narratives and visibility, these campaigns encourage community members to
support disability rights and inclusion.

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Accessible infrastructure

• Creating accessible infrastructure is a critical intervention that ensures people with disabilities can
navigate public spaces independently.
• This includes designing buildings, transportation systems, and public amenities that accommodate
various disabilities.
• As noted by Steinfeld and Maisel (2012), universal design principles can significantly enhance the
usability of environments for all individuals, including those with disabilities.
• Community psychologists often collaborate with urban planners and policymakers to implement these
designs, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards

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Support groups

• Support groups and peer networks provide essential emotional and social support for people with
disabilities.
• These groups offer safe spaces where individuals can share experiences, resources, and coping
strategies.
• According to Solomon (2004), peer support is particularly effective in fostering a sense of belonging
and empowerment.
• Community psychologists facilitate these groups, helping members to build resilience and advocate for
their needs within

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Employment

• Employment support initiatives aim to enhance job opportunities for people with disabilities.
• This includes job training programs, resume building workshops, and advocacy for inclusive hiring
practices.
• Research by Lindsay et al. (2019) suggests that supported employment programs, which provide
ongoing support to both employees and employers, can significantly improve job retention and
satisfaction for individuals with disabilities.
• These interventions help to dismantle barriers to employment, promoting economic independence and
social integration

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Accessible Education

• Accessible education ensures that students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed
academically.
• This involves advocating for inclusive education policies and providing accommodations such as
assistive technologies, modified curricula, and individualized support services.
• According to Forlin et al. (2013), inclusive education not only benefits students with disabilities but also
promotes a more accepting and diverse school environment.
• Community psychologists work with educators, parents, and policymakers to implement these
inclusive practices effectively.

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Therapeutic interventions

• Therapeutic interventions tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and their families
are crucial for promoting mental health and well-being.
• These services may include counseling, psychotherapy, and family therapy.
• Research by Shakespeare (2006) highlights the importance of addressing the psychological impacts of
living with a disability, such as social isolation and identity challenges.
• Community psychologists provide these therapeutic services, helping individuals and families to
navigate their experiences and build supportive networks

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Reference
Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness. World
Psychiatry, 1(1), 16-20.
Forlin, C., Loreman, T., Sharma, U., & Earle, C. (2013). Demographic differences in changing pre-service teachers’
attitudes, sentiments and concerns about inclusive education. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(2), 140-
156
Lindsay, S., Cagliostro, E., Albarico, M., Mortaji, N., & Karon, L. (2019). A systematic review of the benefits of hiring
people with disabilities. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 29(4), 639-664.
Shakespeare, T. (2006). Disability Rights and Wrongs. Routledge.
Solomon, P. (2004). Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 27(4), 392-401.
Steinfeld, E., & Maisel, J. (2012). Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments. Wiley
Nora, E., G. (2004). Adolescents and youth with disability: Issues and challenges. Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation
Journal, 15(2), 13-32.
Lisa, I., L. (2016). Stigma and persons with disabilities. Stigma and Prejudice: Touchstones in understanding diversity in
Healthcare, 3-21.

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 ThankYou
Laura Antonio - R2110550
Bridget T Tafamombe - R215460K
Kimisha N Mtage – R215416Z
Christabel Munzvenga – R216540J
Nyasha Mutongoreya – R216438P
Ropafadzo Chizema – R216430V
Primrose A Charakupa – R216532D
Rejoice Paradza – R216527S
Njikigwa T Shemaiah – R217363G
Whinya Njabulo M R215446L

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