POVERTY AMONG PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN BISHESHE SUB COUNTY, IBANDA DISTRICT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose and specific objectives of the study, research questions, scope and significance of the study, and anticipated limitations.
1.1 Background to the study
According to Mitra (2006), disability is defined differently depending on the paradigm that is being considered. The medical model of disability is strongly normative, based on the individual and his or her medical condition and people are considered to be disabled on the basis of being unable or less able to function as a “normal” person. The world Development Report (World Bank 1990) defined poverty as the “inability to attain a minimal standard of living” measured by household incomes and expenditures. Ownership or access to physical facilities in the environment (or rather lack of them) is often used as a test of urban poverty, particularly when data on income is unavailable.
Disabled people across the globe are highly represented among the poor. It is estimated that about two thirds of disabled people in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Canada live below the poverty line. In many developing countries, however, the overwhelming majority of the disabled population lives in poverty (Coleridge, 1993). Disabled women and children are highly represented among the poor and they are often subjected to social, cultural and economic disadvantages which limit their access, for example, to health care, education, vocational training and employment (UNESCO, 1995).
Poverty and disability in Uganda are inextricably linked. Despite impressive economic gains made by the country in the last 10 – 15 years, current evidence suggests that at least 2.4 million disabled people remain poor. Disability feeds on poverty, and poverty on disability. Because of poverty many people become disabled. Such people have very limited access to health care and facilities (including immunisation); they have very rudimentary feeding and nutrition; they are exposed to a number of disabling conditions, etc. As a consequence chronically poor people are more likely to become disabled. On the other hand, many disabled people lack education and skills training (Lang, 2000). Hence they cannot easily access employment. The physically demanding nature of unskilled labour (a hallmark of most African economies) also makes it difficult for disabled people to be involved in labour intensive activities. This situation is made worse by outright social exclusion of disabled people that constrains disabled people’s participation in the job market.
Disability statistics: The most recent Census put Uganda’s total population at 24.6million. Using the WHO-recommended ten percent (10%) of this figure to estimate the number of disabled people one arrives at a crude figure of 2.4 million disabled persons in the country. But estimates of people with specific disabilities suggest even larger numbers. The Ugandan Ministry of Health and Action on Disability and Development (ADD3), for example, estimate that there are anywhere between 500,000 and 1,000,000 mentally ill adults in Uganda (Ministry of Health/ADD, 1999). Baingana’s (Ministry of Health) estimate of persons with “mental disability” is 766,898 of whom 183,389 are estimated to be with “severe mental retardation” (Baingana, 1996).
On the other hand the Education Assessment Resources Programme (EARS) of the Ministry of Education estimates the prevalence of learning difficulties at 16.9% of all disabilities. Similarly, epilepsy is estimated at 2% of the population, Schizophrenia at 1%, and manic depression at 3%. Meanwhile “common mental disorders” account for 20-30% of all out patient attendances. When these figures are compared with statistics on deafness, blindness and other disabilities, a picture begins to emerge. Bearing all these factors and evidence in mind, an estimate of at least three million Ugandans, or just over 10 percent of the current population would not be an overestimate by any account. If approximately 80 percent of this population lives in conditions of long-term poverty, as is being suggested in this study, then up to a staggering 2.4 million disabled people may be classified as chronically poor disabled persons – a considerable number by any account.
In Bisheshe Sub County, Ibanda District, the rehabilitation of PWDs has been ragging behind partly due to the general belief that they are the most difficult people to work with as compared to their counterparts. Therefore, the study seeks to explore the factors that contribute to poverty among PWDs.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The government of Uganda in partnership with many NGOS put in place several measures to reduce poverty among its population (PEAP, 2000). This has been done through the implementation of all programmes embedded in Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). PEAP is Uganda’s national planning that guide’s public action to promote economic growth and reduce absolute poverty. It consists of many programmes such as Prosperity For All (PFA) Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Plan for Modernization Agriculture (PMA) Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) and extension of village bank saving credit co-operations (SACCOs) in poor rural areas. According to the World Bank (2011), “Persons with disabilities on average as a group experience worse socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, worse health outcomes, less employment, and higher poverty rates.
The government of Uganda in partnership with many NGOS has put forward several strategies to try and eliminate poverty among PWDs through for example engaging them in community development programs, Poverty Eradication Action, Plan ensuring their maximum participation in those programmes among others. Despite governments’ efforts to eradicate poverty through programmes like NAADS, FAL, PMA, PFA among others, many PWDs in Uganda continue to live in absolute poverty. Therefore, it is from this background that the researcher seeks to examine the factors contributing to poverty among PWDs.
1.3 Purpose of the study
To explore poverty among PWDs in Bisheshe sub county, Ibanda district.
1.4 Objectives of the study
- To establish factors for the increased poverty among PWDs in Bisheshe sub county, Ibanda district.
- To identify the challenges faced by implementers of the existing poverty reduction strategy for PWDs in Bisheshe sub county, Ibanda district.
- To suggest possible strategies to alleviate poverty among PWDs.
1.5 Significance of the study
The study will help policy makers to implement policies to involve disabled people in local governance for instance through their representation at various local council levels.
To future researchers, the findings will add to the existing information about factors that contribute to poverty among disabilities.
To the local communities in Bisheshe sub county, the findings will help them to support PWDs in identifying for example income generating activities can help alleviate poverty among PWDs.
The findings of the study may help the government to come up with appropriate strategies to eradicate poverty among PWDs.
The findings may help to ascertain the responsiveness of key policy instruments in Uganda to disabled people’s needs, and identify gaps in key poverty reduction policies and programmes with respect to disability.
It will help to raise awareness among community development workers and other service providers to enable them create opportunities for PWDS to access and engage in income generating activities.
METHODOLOGY
2.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the research design, area of the study, study population, sample size, sample techniques, the data collection instruments, the procedures of data collection, ethical considerations, and data analysis.
2.1 Project Design
A project design refers to the overall strategy that one choose to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way; thereby, ensuring that the researcher that it effectively addressed the research problem. It constitutes the blue print for the collection, measurement and analysis of data (Mugenda, 1999). According to Baron (2011), qualitative research design helps to capture qualitative data, based on qualitative aspects that cannot be quantified. It aids in discovering the motives and desires or what people think and how they feel about a given subject or situation. A cross sectional survey research design, combined with qualitative methods was used for this study. This method involves an unstructured approach to inquiry and allows flexibility in all aspects of the research process. It is more appropriate to explore the nature of a problem, issue or phenomenon without quantifying it. Its main objective is to describe the variation in a phenomenon, situation or attitude like description of an observed situation, or opinions (Mubazi, 2008).
2.2 Area of study
The study was carried out in Bisheshe sub county, ibanda district-western part of Uganda. Bisheshe Sub County is located in Ibanda district, 6km from Ibanda district headquarters. It covers an area of 112 square kms with a population of 20933. It shares boarders with Ishongororo town council, Kanoni sub county, Nsasi sub county, Ibanda town council and Kashangura sub county. It has two rainy seasons of march – May and September – November. The main economic activity is agriculture (both crop and livestock farming). The selection of the area of study is based on the poverty levels of people in the sub county.
2.3 Population of the Study
According to Baron, (2011), this constitutes people-individuals, organizations, groups, communities or other units that provide information or to collect information about for the study. This included PWDs, Parents of PWDs, social workers, CBR workers and community officers in Ibanda district.
2.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
The sample refers to subset of people, items or events selected from the universe or population for study purposes, (Baron, 2011). The study used a total of 11 respondents to provide a manageable volume of data and allow the researcher to make accurate estimates of thoughts and behavior of a larger population. The samples will include 3 PWDs, 3 Parents of PWDs, 1 local leader, 3 CBR workers and 1 CDO.
Table 3.1. Showing Sample of the study
| Respondent | No. of respondents |
| PWDs | 03 |
| Parents of PWDs | 03 |
| Local leaders | 1 |
| CBR workers | 3 |
| CDO | 1 |
| Total | 11 |
PWDs was selected because they know the challenges they face in as PWDs, Parents was chosen because they are the immediate people to PWDs and are to have valuable information to the research study. Local leaders, CBR workers and CDO was chosen because they are assumed to have broader knowledge of the study area and also they are the implementer of government programs hence valuable information for the study is needed from them.
According to Baron (2011), this is a definite plan determined before data collection for obtaining a sample from a given population. It involves three decisions: who to be sampled, how many people to sample, and how to obtain the sample. Purposive sampling technique was used to select key informants because they are deemed to be knowledgeable about the phenomenon under investigation.
2.5 Data Collection Methods
The interview method is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given (Robson, 1993). Cohon and Manioh (1989) further qualify interview to be a conservation initiated by the interviewer for specific purpose of obtaining research relevant information and focuses on content specified by research objectives of specific description. A semi-structured interview guide was used for the in-depth interviews with people with disabilities and Parents, local leaders, CBR and community workers. The semi-structured interview guide was developed based on the objectives. They were designed in English language. It was used because it promotes greater depth of response which is not possible through other means and it allows the researcher to get information concerning feelings, attitudes in relation to research questions. However, some interviewees may not respond freely, frankly and accurately.
2.6 Procedures of Data Collection
As far as collection of data for this study is concerned, the researcher following the following;
The researcher ensured the approval of the research proposal and instruments especially the interview guide to test their effectiveness in carrying out the study, got a letter of introduction from the head of department for introducing him to the area of study, prepared other letters to individual respondents requesting their willingness to participate in the study, presented himself to the area of the study and giving respondents their consent letters, actual data collection on arrival to the area, the researcher arranged with the local leader and explained his visit and carried on with his interviews with each interview lasting between ten to 20 minutes.
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS
3.0 Introduction
The data was qualitatively analysed. It involved transcribing interview data, identifying the major themes arising from the respondents’ answers; assigning codes to these themes; classification of the major responses under the main theme; and integrating the responses into the report in a descriptive and analytical manner. Quantitative data was analyzed to give percentages, and statistical figures.
3.1 Presentation of Findings
The respondents were asked about their age, marital status, education levels and source of income and the following results were obtained as represented in the tables below:
Table 4.1. Characteristics
| Age | Frequency | Percentage |
| 18-37 years | 3 | 27 |
| 38-47 years | 1 | 9 |
| 48 years + | 7 | 64 |
| Marital status | Frequency | Percentage |
| Married | 8 | 73 |
| Single | 3 | 27 |
| Level of education | Frequency | Percentage |
| Primary | 2 | 18 |
| Secondary/vocational | 4 | 46 |
| Tertiary | 5 | 36 |
The majority (64%) of the respondents were predominantly between the ages of 48 and above. A significant percentage (27%) of the respondents were between 18 and 37years. 48 years + had the highest number because these are the most active age group hence they are actively involved in community programmes, therefore they had rich experiences and could also appreciate the importance of the study.
A greater percentage (73.0%) of the interviewed respondents was found to be married, while 27% of the participants were single and they were simply unmarried adults living with their families. It is important to note that these respondents had families therefore most of them had knowledge of the issues contributing to poverty among PWDs.
The table above shows that most of the interviewed respondents (46.0%) were of tertiary level, 36% were of secondary or vocational level therefore, provided information based on the academic knowledge, skills and experience they have gain in management.
3.2 Analysis of findings
Factors contributing to increased poverty among PWDs
Study respondents were asked to identify the factors that have increased poverty among PWDs and the following results were obtained and are represented below;
The study findings show that illiteracy was one of the greatest factors that led to poverty (9) among PWDs. This is because poverty brings about other risk factors like lack of knowledge and skills as well as lack of qualifications.
The next highest factors were denial of jobs due to impairments with 8respondents. Most respondents said that PWDs are not given always given regular jobs like normal people. This kind of discrimination and stigma towards them has made them to be jobless and thus, lack of source of income leads to higher levels of poverty.
Further, the study findings showed that another factor that has led to higher prevalent rates of PWDs are low wages due to low productivity, as well as inability to access social services and public utilities, which both took the 6respondents. One of the PWDs said;
Last were lack of market for their products and services with 5respondents. These PWDs complained and emphasized that it seemed to them that the local population was disgusted by their impairments. One of the respondents who runs a small kiosk says; “…people even tell me that they cannot buy my tomatoes, as my disability may infect them as well.”
All in all, it is clear that the community of Bisheshe contributes heavily to disabling these PWDs and drives them into poverty. Even these PWDs try to take part in gainful employment; their efforts are suffocated in various ways.
A respondent stated;
PWDs are disempowered by the current economic situation. This essentially means that people suffer from impairments caused by poverty because of the inability of the state to provide a welfare system to its citizens, which includes medical support. Thus, from this point of view, all efforts should be directed and mobilized towards confronting poverty in order to break the chain of economic dependency of PWDs.
He further stated that;
One important action, which should be addressed, is to enhance economic participation and access to work. This will help to meet the basic needs of people with disabilities and place them in a better position to realize long term personal development. The priority should be to organize or re-organize the labour force in such a way that it is accessible to disabled people.
Challenges faced by implementers of the existing poverty reduction strategy for PWDs
Respondents were asked about the challenges faced by implementers of the existing poverty reduction strategy for PWDs. The following results were obtained and are represented below;
Study findings indicated that most respondents agreed that poverty was so evident among PWDs in the community. They explained that in one way or another, poverty was their major challenge, and it was a result of their impairment and the way society disables them.
One of the PWDs added saying;
There is no way one can leave this place and make money; I was amputated so I don’t see myself engaging in any economic activity….. That has left me poor and as you can see me, I cannot afford anything.
As shown in the findings, 7 respondents said that implementers of the existing poverty reduction strategy for PWDs face a major challenge of the increasing population and limited resources allocated to PWDs programmes; therefore the planning process becomes hard.
Study findings also found out that the education levels of PWDs were low, thus the implementers found it hard to introduce some programmes otherwise few would benefit.
Possible strategies to alleviate poverty among PWDs.
In order to complete this study respondents were to identify measures to alleviate poverty among PWDs. The following results were obtained and are represented in the table below;
Study findings revealed that respondents said IGA training with 100% of the respondents.
Most of them urged that they lacked skills and special training in Economic activities, and they thought it wise to request that they be trained and equipped with skills so as they can strive out of poverty. They also required special training according to their special needs.
On respondent said;
…I don’t expect to be given the same training as that person with no disability, this training should be based on my impairment, but unfortunately our leaders have failed to come up with such ideas, now we are left to feel so neglected and vulnerable at that.
A respondent said that to assist disabled people to start income generation programme, it is necessary for the government and non-governmental organization to introduce revolving loan and micro credit mechanism such as:
Training disabled people in small business development aspect to be able to plan their income generation activities on proper manner; Establishing bank system for financially supporting disabled people to receive loan for various occupation under certain name such as agriculture purpose, animal husbandry; Introducing and support different culturally appropriate mechanism to business and financially Support students with disability to continue with their education, and after graduation find jobs for them then remember the loan amount gradually.
These policies would take both the National and international levels, they could redeem PWDs out of poverty. A respondent was quoted:
“Income generating strategies for self-employment as useful means of integrating people with disabilities into the economy when other options of employment become difficult for them to get and thus fighting poverty”.
From the table above, the respondents pointed out measures, of which advocacy was mentioned by 6 respondents. One of the PWDs said;
“…we have nobody to stand up for us, somebody just needs to be our voice and make people aware of our needs and rights as PWDs.”
There is little provision made for disabled people in the community, which assist them to be economically active. Physical impairment aside, many barriers to open employment continue to exist, including inaccessible transportation and buildings, non-adapted tools, and employers’ prejudice and fears
The study found out that some respondents found strengthening of government policies on disability, as a way out of poverty with 10 respondents. A respondent was quoted:
...we have heard about several policies in favor of PWDs, but I don’t see much of their impact. If only these policies were implemented and strengthened, poverty was come insignificant among PWDs.
That shows how much PWD need advocacy as a way of striving out of poverty.
Various measures can be considered as instrumental strategies in fighting widespread poverty amongst disabled people. This primarily includes different kinds of remunerated employment schemes as well as policies, legislation and welfare provisions. Together, these may facilitate the creation of inclusive society, which allows disabled people develop their economic potentials and ultimately strengthen their independent life (researcher).
Also the CBR workers argued that PWDs, who express interest in starting a business or improving their current business activities, can be assisted through small business development strategy. These can include people who have completed a place in a vocational training course, a traineeship; or already have the technical skills necessary for their business. And all PWDs who are assisted through the small business development strategy should have an idea of the type of business they want to start. If they do not have a business idea but need employment support they will require further employment advice and counseling.
Most of the PWDs require various types of aids and appliances for functional independence, mobility and activities of daily living. The type of assistive devices required by a PWD depends on the type and degree of disability and the living environment of the PWD. The cost of the assistive device is an additional cost without which the PWD may not be able to carry out activities of daily living this is an additional minimum cost for the PWD. The government already implements a scheme of assistance for disabled persons for purchase/fitting of aids and appliances, with the main objective of assisting the needy persons with disability in procuring durable, sophisticated, and scientifically manufactured modern, standard aids and appliances.
In order to permit easy mobility and for activities of daily living, there is a need to modify the houses that PWDs stay in (here we are focusing on PWDs basically as consumers). The modifications needed, again would depend on the type and degree of disability. For example, an orthopedically handicapped person on a wheel chair requires doors, including that of the toilet, to be minimum 90 cm, with horizontal and vertical grab bars, especially in toilets.
A visually impaired person may require embossed markings on different parts of the house, including on the floor, to carry out activities of daily living. It is estimated that it can cost about 5% to 7% of the building costs to incorporate barrier free features. The respondent opined that even if locally available materials and skills are used for adding these features in a house of a PWD.
Respondent said that permitting PWDs to live independently and carry out activities like cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene etc., the gadgets used need suitable modifications. For example, a visually impaired person may need a milk boiler (which whistles when milk boils) rather than an ordinary container. A person with cerebral palsy may require a flexible handle in a spoon, a handle for holding a plate for eating, a special chair to sit (a multi-purpose seat) and so on. Here again, the requirements may differ from person to person, but an element of additional cost needs to be built in. said the CDO.
In many cases, houses may not have been modified, and suitable assistive devices and gadgets may not be available. In such cases, the assistance of family members or professionals may be required for the PWD to carry out activities of daily living. Here, there is the need to cost the payment made to professionals along with the opportunity costs to the family or community.
In most instances, the family members care for PWDs, along with their other duties, hence only a part of their wages could be imputed to be included in the cost of living of PWDs.
4.0 Conclusion
Available evidence from the study so far confirms that disability has a close relationship with chronic poverty. Further, evidence suggests that current policies and programmes aimed at poverty eradication in the community are inadequate in addressing matters of poverty among people with disabilities. In the first place the need for people with disabilities to “survive within structures that assume that people are able bodied”. Secondly, it is discrimination, rather than disability itself, which is at the heart of the exclusion experienced by disabled people thereby leading to a greater risk of poverty.
PWDs in Bisheshe live in poverty, nutritional imbalances, poor housing, burden of dependents, limited access to medication, isolation and limited access to water and lastly, discrimination as a result of denial of jobs due to impairment, low wages because of low productivity, lack of Market for their goods and services, illiteracy, inability to access social services and public utilities. While increasing population, limited resources allocated to PWDs programmes, limited education levels of most PWDs.
However, suggestions to improve the welfare of PWDs include training in IGAs; need to put efforts in advocacy, revising, strengthening and proper implementation of policies that pay attention to the welfare of PWDs as well as their employment and the implementation of P.E.A.P, policy reviews, studying the cause of poverty hence giving solutions.
5.0 Recommendations;
A specific, more precise estimate on additional cost of living for PWDs should be worked out. International bodies, Governments at different levels, independent bodies, professionals and NGOs should provide technical and financial support for such research.
There is need to educate, create awareness about the rights of PWDs in order to minimize the incidences of discrimination and stigma, isolation and other forms of inhuman treatment accorded to PWDs due to ignorance about their rights and entitlements, so as to reduce poverty and exploitation o f these PWDs.
To bring the PWDs on par with the rest of the population, schemes, programmes and projects should be initiated and the existing ones strengthened to provide the different facilities highlighted above, so as to promote equal opportunities to PWDS. The endeavor should be to provide facilities like non-handicapping environment, suitably modified gadgets and tools, requisite assistive devices ‘to reduce’ the dependence on family and community members for carrying on activities of daily living.
There is also strong need for government through its ministries such as the ministry of gender labor and social development, which is a custodian of all citizens in the country, to strengthen the national policy for PWDs so that special support and attention is given to PWDs just like any other grouping of people in the country. This should be backed up by strong strategies and work plans to effectively implement policies, draft applicable and relevant policies.
To break the vicious circle of poverty and disability, access facilities need to be provided throughout the nation at the earliest. An attempt may be made to provide, in phases, a universal design, for both buildings and the transport sector.
Pension and financial support to PWDs should be fixed, keeping in view the additional costs that they have to incur, compared to the rest of the population.
The wages/remuneration to PWDs may be worked out in terms of a realistic minimum cost of living rather than pegging it on the basis of the poverty line for the rest of the population.
Schools should also find ways of making their settings, such that they can take up all children, regardless of whether they have special needs or not. They should also make sure that all teachers employed have the knowledge of sign language, Braille and other special skills, so as to make it easy for incorporation of PWDs in ordinary schools. This in turn would decrease the levels of illiteracy among PWDs, rather increasing skills and knowledgeability which increase chance for employment.
