Embargo Period
8-7-2024
Degree Name
MA in Sustainable Development
First Advisor
Joseph Lanning
Abstract
Disability models serve as frameworks to conceptualize understandings of disabilities, influencing the creation of policies and programs. The United Nations, through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), has established international standards influenced by disability models from the Global North. Despite Malawi’s efforts to adopt the CRPD through numerous measures, people with disabilities still face challenges in accessing healthcare. The effectiveness of current policies in the health sector remains unclear. Therefore, it is crucial to consider local perspectives on disabilities, as well as differences in culture and livelihoods. This research employs thematic analysis to assess the perceptions of disability among policy makers and implementers—government officials, representatives from disability-related organizations, and health workers—in Malawi. It explores their perspectives on how disability policies have integrated international standards and been implemented to meet the needs of Malawians with disabilities. This multi-perspective approach reveals how understandings and perceptions of disability in Malawi are shaped by models from the Global North and various local factors such as type of disability, livelihood, and geographical region. The domestication of the CRPD and implementation interact with several factors, including financial and cultural contexts, knowledge of policies, and attitude differences among implementers, particularly health workers. This research contributes to the global knowledge base on disability perceptions, highlighting approaches to address disability issues and providing insights to inform policy makers in Malawi and other countries facing similar challenges. These insights may guide efforts to address implementation challenges and develop targeted trainings and awareness campaigns for implementers.
Disciplines
Disability Studies
Recommended Citation
Lee, Johanna, "Deconstructing Disability in Malawi: A Multi-Perspective Qualitative Study on Understandings, Policy Development, and Policy Implementation" (2024). Capstone Collection. 3314.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/3314