Coping with human rights abuses among persons with disabilities in Wa west district

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals with disabilities within the context of the Wa West District in the Upper West Region cope with human rights abuses. A case study design was used for the study. The sample size was 22. These comprised 12 people with disabilities and 10 non-disabled persons, which include caregivers of PWDs, government officials who work with PWDs and NGOs who work with PWDs in the Wa West District. The method for data collection was semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size. Data was analyzed thematically. Results from the study showed that most people with disabilities use several coping mechanisms, which include seeking counselling, encouragement from family members and through prayers. The study concluded that coping with human rights abuses among people with disabilities was partial due to some governmental policies and self-perceptions of people with disabilities and the non-disabled in the community. Challenges faced by PWDs were stigmatization and illiteracy and resource constraints. The study recommends that there should be a follow up of government incentives to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities, public awareness creation to sensitize the general public on the need to accept and involve PWDs. Also, it is it is imperative for the government and all stakeholders to address attitudinal, informational, physical and institutional barriers that may challenge PWDs in getting employment.