Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Physical Disabilities: In Case Disability Association Gesha District Kaffa Zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Persons with physical disabilities exist everywhere and are one of the most vulnerable segments of the society. Socio-economic challenges of PwPDs was not investigated in the study area therefore, this study attempted to explore the Socio-economic challenges of PWPDS in, Biruhe Disability Association, Gesha District, Kaffa Zone SNNPR. The overall objective of this research is to investigate the socio- economic challenges and opportunities of persons with physical disabilities. To this purpose qualitative single case embedded study design was employed. Data was gathered from participants of study using different data collection instruments such as in depth interviewees, focus group discussions key informant interviews, observation, and document analysis. The recruitment of the participants was done through purposive non probability sampling technique. Sample size for this study was guided by data saturation but initially the researcher planned to conduct ten key informant interviews with PwDS association leaders, experts working for woreda government and other non-profit organizations that support association of persons with disability in the woreda. Both primary and secondary data was collected to enrich the data and support the process of answering the initial research questions and other issues that might emerge. The collected data was analyzed using different qualitative data analysis techniques and mainly using thematic analysis. The study have revealed that persons with physical disabilities are found to be under extreme socio-economic challenges given the nature of their disability and other factors which were identified through this study such as: lack of livelihood opportunity, inaccessibility of services needed most for keeping their wellbeing and stigma and discrimination. Implications and recommendation were raised from general conclusion of the study. This study was carried out from end of March through mid of July, 2021