Development process in Africa: Poverty, politics and indigenous knowledge

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Development Studies
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Persons with disabilities are at risk of exclusion from development due to limited access to services.
• Existing knowledge on disability exclusion mechanisms is insufficient, potentially overlooking critical aspects.
• Established understandings require critical scrutiny to address hidden exclusion factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically analyze the prevailing understanding of the disability-poverty relationship.
• To examine the policy framework for addressing the rights of persons with disabilities.
• To highlight the role of culture in perpetuating discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Integration of three papers presented at the African Network for Evidence-to-Action on Disability (AfriNEAD) Symposium.
• Critical examination of the nexus between disability and poverty.
• Analysis of policy influence on action and the role of culture in injustice.

Main Results:

• Current data collection methods have limitations in analyzing the disability-poverty relationship.
• Inclusion policies for persons with disabilities are not always optimally implemented.
• Negative cultural aspects contributing to discrimination and mistreatment require greater attention.

Conclusions:

• A critical perspective on disability and development is essential for poverty eradication among persons with disabilities.
• Research must uncover the specific mechanisms driving the disability-poverty relationship.
• Research should be less constrained by broad political agreements and more grounded in reality.