Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: C

Sociology & Culture

Volume 19 Issue 1 Version 1.0 Year 2019
Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal
Publisher: Global Journals
Online ISSN: 2249-460x & Print ISSN: 0975-587X

Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities:

A Case Study of Ethiopia
By Muleta Hussein Sedeto & Mohd Jameel Dar
Oromia State University
Abstract- The paper precisely and briefly explains the socio-economic challenges of persons with
disabilities with focus on Ethiopia. The findings of the paper also indicates that, across the
countries persons with disabilities have poorer health accesses, lower education achievements,
less social and economic participation and less rate of income than Persons disabilities
experience barriers in accessing services that many of us have long taken for granted, including
health, education, employment, transport and information as well as rehabilitation. These
difficulties are exacerbated with high level of disability disadvantaged individuals. Based on the
findings of this study, major socio-economic remedy directions are recommended which will be
included in future policy enactment and implementations.
Keywords: disability, person with disability, impairment, social challenges, economic challenge.
GJHSS-C Classification: FOR Code: 160899

SocioEconomicChallengesofPersonswithDisabilitiesACaseStudyofEthiopia

Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of:

© 2019. Muleta Hussein Sedeto & Mohd Jameel Dar. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creative commons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), permitting all non-
commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with
Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia
Muleta Hussein Sedeto α & Mohd Jameel Dar σ

Abstract- The paper precisely and briefly explains the socio- percent of PWDs in Ethiopia live in poverty, which is one
economic challenges of persons with disabilities with focus on of the manifestations of unemployment. Malnutrition
Ethiopia. The findings of the paper also indicates that, across accounts for 20 percent of the disabilities in the country
the countries persons with disabilities have poorer health
(Yohannes, 2012: 101-102). In contrary to this, as cited
accesses, lower education achievements, less social and
in Yetneberish (2013:5), the estimate of 17.6% of
economic participation and less rate of income than Persons
without Ddisabilities. This is partly because people with Ethiopians is living with a disability, contained in the

2019
disabilities experience barriers in accessing services that many World Report on Disability. Studies showed that this
of us have long taken for granted, including health, education, variation was occurred due to the measurements taken

Year
employment, transport and information as well as to classify and categorize peoples with disability and
rehabilitation. These difficulties are exacerbated with high level without disabled or due to the information gap during
of disability disadvantaged individuals. Based on the findings 9
data collection. According to Ethiopian National
of this study, major socio-economic remedy directions are Disability Action Network (ENDAN, 2010:32) such

Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

recommended which will be included in future policy
inconsistency is mainly explained by differences in
enactment and implementations. This includes facilitation of
conceptualizing disability as well as in measurements
access to information, special need education, and health,
awareness creation towards family, community and society; and classifications used for collecting disability data and
access to infrastructure (buildings and stages) and means of reluctant of families to expose PwDs during the survey.
transportation; provision of entrepreneurship training and initial Though there is an immense variation between
capitals, suitable jobs that match with their disability, and World Report and Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia
medical, social and assistive instrument rehabilitations. about the number of PwDs, in both cases there are a
Keywords: disability, person with disability, impairment, large number of persons with disability in the country.
social challenges, economic challenge. The most important fact investigated was the strong
relationship between poverty and disability, where one
I. Introduction caused the other and vice versa. According to Berhanu

A
ccording to world report on Disability, more than (2015:179), there is a strong connection between
one billion people or 15% of the world’s disability and poverty due to many systemic factors that
population live with some form of disability, of promote a vicious circle. This may entail that the
whom, nearly 200 million experience considerable mutually reinforcing nature of special needs and low
difficulties in functioning. In the years ahead, disability socioeconomic status. This may suggest that people
will be an even greater concern because its prevalence with disabilities are significantly more likely to become
is on the rise. This is due to ageing populations and the impoverished; and people who are impoverished are
higher risk of disability in older people as well as the significantly more likely to become disabled.
global increase in chronic health conditions such as
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental
II. Personal Challenges
health disorders(World Bank and World Health Majority of Persons with disabilities are
Organization (WHO), 2011: xi and United Nations’ vulnerable of demographic challenges. Demographic
Education, Social and Cultural Organization (UNICEF, challenges here are taken as personal challenges.
2013: 10). These may include age, sex, marital status, types of
Based on the analysis of the United Nations, it impairment, level of impairment, education, copping
is estimated that about eight million people in Ethiopia style, social background, occupation, etc.
live with disabilities. That is about 10 percent of the total
number of the Ethiopian population. An estimated 95 a) Age
Aging has an indisputable factor among PwDs.
Many scholars share similar idea that children and old
Author σ: M.A, Lecture, Department of Governance and Management, age are more vulnerable group of PwDs. Higher
School of Governance and Leadership, Oromia State University,
disability rates among older people reflect an
Ethiopia. e-mail: [email protected]
Author α: Ph.D Political Science, Assistant Professor, Department of accumulation of health risks across a lifespan of
Civics and Ethical Studies. College of Social Science and Humanities, disease, injury, and chronic illness where as children
Debre Markos University, Ethiopia. e-mail: [email protected] under age 5 in developing countries are exposed to

© 20 19 Global Journals
 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

multiple risks, including poverty, malnutrition, poor marginalization of women with disabilities (Eleni, 2016:
health, and un stimulating home environments, which 18). Disability related challenges on women are not just
can impair cognitive, motor, and social-emotional two fold to that of men, but are of multiple folds.
development (WB and WHO, 2011:36).Another study
c) Types of impairment
shows that nearly a third of PwDs are over 50 years old
Often, “types of disability” are defined using
in Ethiopia implying causal relationship between old age
only one aspect of disability, such as impairments –
and disability (Yetneberish, 2013: 9). That is, the older
sensory, physical, mental, and intellectual – and at other
the person gets, more vulnerable she/he becomes to
times they conflate health conditions with disability.
disability.
People with chronic health conditions, communication
b) Sex difficulties, and other impairments may not be included
Studies confirm that although men and women in these estimates, despite encountering difficulties in
with disabilities are subject to discrimination, women everyday life (WB and WHO, 2011: 22). The more the
with disability are at the further disadvantage because of types of impairment on a person the more complex the
the combined discrimination based on gender and condition becomes.
2019

disability. Women with disability are doubly marginalized

d) Causes of impairment
by their communities and organizations at the national
Year

The causes for disability are numerous but

and international level and indeed are worth off than
major cause of disability in Ethiopia are: man-made
men with disability. Gender and disability based
10 disaster (conflict, road accident, work related accidents,
discrimination has brought up a double disability for
etc), prenatal causes, during natal and postnatal
women with disabilities (Trausta Dottir, 1990 cited in
Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

periods, alcohol and drug addiction, communicable

Eleni, 2016: 11). The study of UNICEF again assured
diseases, harmful traditional practices and they are
double discrimination of female due to disability and
aggravated by poverty related factors such as
gender. Girls with disabilities suffer a double
malnutrition, lack of environmental hygiene
discrimination facing not only the stigma, prejudice and
(Yetnebersh,2013:13).
inequities encountered by many persons with
According to (Tirussew, 1995) and (Eleni, 2016:
disabilities, but also exclusion as a consequence of
12), in Ethiopia, the prevalence of diversified pre-, per-,
gender discrimination (UNICEF, 2013: 19).
and post-natal disability factors (the health of
Women with disabilities face multiple barriers to
prospective mothers, difficulties related to delivery,
gain access to primary and secondary school and to
childhood infection disease, lack of proper child
obtain an equitable education once they are enrolled in
management, traditional harmful practice, under
school. In many cases, attitudinal barriers gender biases
nutrition, malnutrition, civil strife and periodic episodes
compounded by disability bias are key, although
of drought and famine) and the absence of early primary
transportation, architectural and other types of barriers
and secondary preventive service in the country at large
are also significant (Eleni, 2016:20).
has brought a phenomenal increase in the incidence of
Other studies indicating that due to their
disability. The problem still remains as a challenge to the
increased vulnerability in the social environment, women
country.
with mental, psychological or learning disabilities are
Elias (2012: 14) shares similar idea with
more prone to becoming the victims of domestic
-

Tirussew (1995) and Eleni (2016: 12) that prenatal

violence, sexual abuse and mistreatment, because they
causes of disability are pre-, per-, and post-natal: Those
do not have the practical means to live independently
disabilities that are acquired before birth are pre-natal.
and experience their sexuality (Berhanu, 2015: 178).
These may be due to diseases that have harmed the
Women with disabilities are denied access to education,
mother during pregnancy, or genetic incompatibilities
vocational training, employment, transportation and
between the parents. Per-natal causes: those disabilities
housing, making it difficult or impossible to achieve
that are acquired during birth. This could be due to
economic self- sufficiency and contribute to their
prolonged lack of oxygen or the obstruction of the
communities (Eleni,2016: 16).
respiratory tract, damage to the brain during birth (due
Approximately 20 million women become
to the accidental misuse of forceps, for example) or the
disabled each year as a result of complications during
baby being born prematurely. Post-natal causes are
pregnancy or child birth. Only 41.7% of female with
those causes of disabilities gained after birth. They can
disabilities have completed primary school, compared
be due to accidents, infection or other illness.
with 52.9% for other females (WB and WHO, 2011:206).
Negative stereotypes relating to both gender e) Access to Education
and disability compound the exclusion of women with Many children and adults with disabilities have
disabilities from support services, social and economic historically been excluded from mainstream education
opportunities and participation in community life. All of opportunities (WB and WHO, 2011: 205). Estimated
these factors also contribute to the social isolation and there were 150 million children under 18 living with a

© 2019 Global Journals

 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

disability. Children with disabilities are less likely to country. Over 70% of respondents reported that all of
attend school and have lower rates of staying and being the following were barriers: inaccessible school
promoted in schools (UNICEF, 2013: 10). Less than 2 buildings; schools being located too far away from
Percent of disabled children in school age have access where disabled children live; a lack of appropriate
to education that has special need facility in Ethiopia facilities at school; a lack of teacher training in inclusive
(Yetnebersh, 2013: 12). education methodologies; a lack of appropriate
Many disabled children and young people teaching and learning materials; a lack of extra support
around the world are denied sustained access to basic in the classroom for children with disabilities; social
education. Some of these disabled children never enter stigma and negative parental attitudes to disability;
school, others start but make poor progress eventually poverty (Croft, 2010: 11).
dropping out, and it appears that a relatively small Physical access to school buildings is an
proportion are educated in a parallel system of special essential prerequisite for educating children with
schools, running alongside mainstream schools disabilities. Those with physical disabilities are likely to
(Croft,2010: 1). face difficulties in travelling to school if, for example, the
The Ministry of Education has asserted that roads and bridges are unsuitable for wheelchair use and

2019
Ethiopia can not attain MDG ignoring the marginalized the distances are too great. Even if it is possible to reach

Year
and those with learning difficulties andimpairments the school, there may be problems of stairs, narrow
Franck, 2015:4.As many school-aged children are kept doorways, inappropriate seating, or inaccessible toilet
in the confines of their homes rather than brought to facilities. The attitudes of teachers, school 11
schools (MoE and UNESCO, 2012), working with administrators, other children, and even family members

Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

parents in getting disabled children into classrooms, affect the inclusion of children with disabilities in
and providing them support while there, is important mainstream schools (WB and WHO, 2011: 9).
(Franck, 2015: 6). Ethiopia has come a long way to education for
Ethiopia’s Study on Situation of out of School all, however, there is still a gap in providing access to all
Children (MoE and UNESCO, 2012), states that even children and actualization of inclusive education as a
though Ethiopia’s 1994 Education and Training Policy result, schools and teachers find it difficult to
and the MoE special needs education strategy opened accommodate students with special needs and compel
the doors of schools to students with disabilities, them to adapt to the school instead of adapting the
attitudes in society remained unchanged and many school to the needs of the students (Wondewosen,et, l,
children were still kept at home (Franck, 2015: 6). 2014: 133). Copping has to be ultimate solution for
The architectural inaccessibility of school challenges, especially the long lasting ones. A person
buildings including stairs, narrow corridors, inaccessible may not able to change some situations in life, but
desks and equipment, inaccessible bathroomsis often a she/he certainly changes her/his attitude about this
major barrier for disabled girls and boys (Eleni, 2016: situations.
21).In general, children with disabilities are less likely to g) Copping Measures
start school and have lower rates of staying and being Smart (2001) provided a useful definition of
promoted in school (WB and WHO, 2011:11: 206). coping. The term coping refers to the things people
Regardless of the efforts of governmental and do (acting or thinking)to increase a sense of well-
nongovernmental organizations, the situation doesn’t being in their lives and to avoid being harmed by
seem to improve fast enough. stressful demands. Coping strategies are considered to
f) Barriers of Education be goal-directed, emphasizing on positive steps such as
In the countries (Ethiopia) responsibilities for the relying on social support, obtaining treatment and
education for disabled children are shared between rehabilitation, redefining life goals, and seeking
ministries (WB and WHO, 2011: 214). The reasons for information (Markos, 2010 cited in Kalkidan, 2015: 36).
limited or lack of education for PwDs needs to be h) Employment
understood in terms of the barriers PwDs face in As documented by studies, both in developed
education such as financial constraints to pay for and developing countries, working age persons with
school, environmental barriers, lack of accessible disabilities experience significantly lower employment
transport, negative attitudes etc. (Yohannes, 2012: 105). rates and much higher unemployment rates than
The common gaps in education policy include a lack of persons without disabilities. Lower rates of labour
financial and other targeted incentives for children with market participation are one of the important pathways
disabilities to attend school as well as a lack of social through which disability may lead to poverty (WB and
protection and support services for children with WHO,2011:11).
disabilities and their families (WB and WHO, 2011:9). The majority of studies find that persons with
One survey respondents presented the barriers disability have lower employment rates and lower
of learning faced by disabled primary-age children in the educational attainment than persons without disability
© 20 19 Global Journals
 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

(WB&WHO, 2011: 8).The social and economic experiences (Berhanu, 2015: 176). Berhanu agrees with
advantages of being employed are well recorded – such Leslie and associates that the practice of social
as security, self-determination, financial resources and a exclusion affects individuals in preventing from
sense of purpose. Yet women with disabilities encounter participating fully in the economic, social, and political
innumerable barriers to obtaining paid employment. sphere (Other studies indicating that due to their
These barriers include discriminatory attitudes, increased vulnerability in the social environment, women
accessibility, lack of support, poor education and with mental, psychological or learning disabilities are
training and inaccessible transport (Eleni, 2016: 21). more prone to becoming the victims of domestic
And an estimated 95 percent of PwsDs in violence, sexual abuse and mistreatment, because they
Ethiopia live in poverty which is one of the do not have the practical means to live independently
manifestations of unemployment. Malnutrition accounts and experience their sexuality (cited in Berhanu,
for 20 percent of the disabilities in the country 2015:177).
(Yohannes, 2012: 102).
b) Attitudinal challenge
In terms of economic inclusion of the disabled
This is one of the formidable barriers PwDs
people, these persons have limited access to the formal
2019

encounter in Ethiopia. It refers to the exclusion of PWDs

employment sector because organizations don’t want to
from employment and denial of access to social
Year

include disabled people in their formal employment

services due to stigma. PwDs in Ethiopia, most often
process. 80-90% of disabled people don’t have formal
than not, are seen as helpless and dependent. Due to
12 job and for which they try to focus on self employment
attitudinal problems, some employers are unwilling to
(Debashis, 2013: 120).
hire PWDs while other workers become reluctant to work
Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

According to one study, more disabled people

with them as colleagues (Yohannes, 2012: 104).
are unemployed, in lower status occupations, on low
These citizens face various challenges in their
earnings, or out of the labour market altogether, than
life time. In Ethiopia, there is a general tendency to think
non-disabled people. Reasons for unemployment of
of persons with disabilities as weak, hopeless,
PwDs stated as a number of barriers to employment for
dependent, and unable to learn and the subject of
individuals with disabilities such as employer
charity. The misconceptions of causal attribution added
discrimination, architectural barriers within the
to the misunderstandings, have resulted in negative
workplace, pervasive negative attitudes regarding skill,
attitude towards them (Berhanu, 2015: 174). In other
and the adverse reactions of customers (Berhanu,
words, even though they are able to score job, there still
2015: 181).
awaits challenges from the employers and colleagues.
Some heads of departments have been hesitant
to receive disabled women in their duty stations. They c) Information challenges
are considered as burdens because of the assistance The high cost of many technologies limits
that they require from the office in order to work access for people with disabilities, particularly in low-
effectively. For example, people with visual impairment income and middle-income countries. In particular,
need assistants to assist them in reading, teachers need intermediate and assistive technologies are often
supporting teachers to assist them in marking students unaffordable or unavailable. While access to television is
exercise books (Victoria, 2010: 50; Tirussew, 1995; a fundamental problem for people who are deaf or blind,
-

Eleni, 2016: 12). As a matter of fact employment has to features to enable access exist (WB and WHO,
do directly with education. We will benefit from the 2011: 190).
disabled, only as much as invested on them. For Ways forward in information and
instance, if they are not treated specially at schools, we communication technology include raising awareness,
cannot exploit their potential at work. adopting legislation and regulations, developing
standards, and offering training. Services such as
III. Social Challenges
telephone relay, captioned broadcasting, sign language
a) Disability related stigma interpreting and accessible formats for information
Societal beliefs about people with disabilities facilitates participation by people with disabilities.
have a strong impact on inclusion. Disability in Ethiopia Improved information and communication technology
is often perceived as connected with a person’s accessibility can be achieved by bringing together
immorality or curse. Disabled children and parents of market regulation and antidiscrimination approaches,
disabled children are often stigmatized (Franck, along with relevant perspectives on consumer protection
2015: 6). and public procurement. Countries with strong
Social exclusion means lack of belongingness, legislation and follow up mechanisms tend to achieve
acceptance and recognition. People who are socially higher levels of information and communication
excluded are more vulnerable to economic and social technology access, but regulation needs to keep pace
problems, and hence they tend to have difficult life with technological innovation (WB and WHO, 2011: 15).

© 2019 Global Journals

 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

The time we live in is known as the era of friends and used to go out with them to do some
information. As access to everything is beginning to activities and sports. But after the injury, it was difficult for
depend on the freshest of information, the disabled with me to go out with them, because the environment is not
no access at all would automatically be put out of the adapted for wheelchair users, either the streets,
daily game of life. transportation, shops, restaurants, or other facilities.” Fadi
(WB&WHO, 2011: 168). I think the situation gets worse
d) Family Related challenges
when the disability is not at birth when a person who
People with physical disabilities are less able
used to perform all kinds of activities suddenly ceases
than others to grow their own food or contribute to
to do most of it, she/he feels like double disability with
subsistence living for the family. They can be seen as a
inaccessible environment.
burden to the rest of the family, the local community, the
social services of the country, and the budget of the f) Health services related Challenges
ministry of health (CBM,2007: 4). Health service is one of the crucial challenges
Family members in Ethiopia sometimes are that PwDs faces in their life. When a person gets sick,
embarrassed to have PwDs in their home and tend to undoubtedly the disability challenge becomes double.

2019
hide them and keep them behind closed doors to This is due to, in some cases inability to care himself
prevent the PwDs from interacting with the immediate without others help, distance of medical institutions, lack

Year
neighborhood and the community at large (Yohannes, of finance to cover medical charge, lack of means of
2012:104). This belief of the family and close relatives is transportation, negative attitude of physicians,
in fact the worst of all can aggravate all the other 13
unwillingness of others to give priority, stages of
challenges. building, long steps and procedures of services

Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

e) Environmental challenge provision/registration for card, finance, examination,
The FDRE 2009 Proclamation No. 624/2009, laboratory, dispensary, etc/. The study in Dilla shows
Part four, Art 36 propagated the facilities for physically that hospitals and health centers charged some amount
impaired persons. The Ethiopian Building Proclamation of money for registration and laboratory service that
ensures that all public buildings should have facilities woman with disability could not afford (Berhanu,
that allow access suitable for the use of PwDs (Baseline 2015: 180).
Study, 2010: 26). The environment may be changed to improve
Barriers that are put under this class are those health conditions, prevent impairments, and improve
related to the physical environment that is not outcomes for persons with disabilities. Such changes
accessible to PwDs. For example such instances as a can be brought about by legislation, policy changes,
building with no ramps or lifts or accessible toilets and capacity building, or technological developments
the like (Yohannes, 2012: 103). leading to, for instance: accessible design of the built
A person’s environment has a huge impact on environment and transport; signage to benefit people
the experience and extent of disability. Inaccessible with sensory impairments; more accessible health,
environments create disability by creating barriers to rehabilitation, education, and support services; more
participation and inclusion. Examples of the possible opportunities for work and employment for persons with
negative impact of the environment include: a deaf disabilities (WB and WHO, 2011: 4).
individual without a sign language interpreter; a Other Studies indicated that the access to
wheelchair user in a building without an accessible medical care is significantly messed up for an individual
bathroom or elevator; a blind person using a computer with disability due to the direct medical costs associated
without screen-reading software (WB and WHO, with special needs and the burden of transportation
2011: 4). falls most heavily on those with disabilities. This is
Moreover, Peter et. al (2008) added that matters especially true for the rural poor people with disabilities
of geographic inaccessibility, availability, and cultural whose distance from urban environments imposes long
limitations, all provide substantial impediments to the movement so as to get health and rehabilitation
acquisition of proper care for the populations of services. Thus, as the result of both economic and
developing countries (cited in Berhanu, 2015: 180). physical barriers, it is estimated that only 2 percent of
Here the case study taken from one of the individuals with disabilities have access to adequate
survey data shows environmental challenges of PwDs health and rehabilitation services (Ngstad and Whyte
as: About Fadi- 2007 cited in Berhanu, 2015: 180).
“After injury I felt that my social life has been Similarly, Yeo and Moore (2003) also illustrated
affected so much, due to the difficulty of transportation that the inaccessibility of health care for those living in
and environment challenges, it is difficult to do the daily poverty has a substantial impact on the rate of disability
activities (visiting friends, going out…etc), as well as go within this population. Individuals living in poverty face
to hospital appointments and rehabilitation. Before the higher health risks and are often unable to obtain proper
injury I was an active member in the society, I had many treatment, leading them to be significantly more likely to

© 20 19 Global Journals
 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

acquire a disability within their lifetime (cited in Berhanu, and equal access to facilities and opportunities as
2015: 180). others (Choike, 2009: 7). According to Yetnebersh
Health is also affected by environmental factors, (2013: 7), poverty is the main socio-economic
such as safe water and sanitation, nutrition, poverty, characteristics of PwDs and their families in Ethiopia.The
working conditions, climate, or access to health care. As majority of studies find that persons with disability in
the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on developing countries have lower employment rates and
Social Determinants of Health has argued, inequality is a lower educational attainment than persons without
major cause of poor health, and hence of disability(WB& disability (WB and WHO, 2011: 39). The connection
WHO, 2011:4). I do not think that any revision of the between poverty and disability is widely acknowledged,
policy can improve the situation unless the attitudes of with disability being both a cause and a result of poverty
family members and health officers changed. There will (Franck, 2013:4).
be no hope left after a disabled person gets sick and Persons with disabilities experience worse
does not have access for medication. educational and labour market outcomes and are more
g) Transportation likely to be poor than persons without disabilities. A
2019

Means of transportation has plies irrefutable role study of 15 developing countries, using World Health
in accelerating social and economic situations of PwDs. Survey data, found that households with disabilities
Year

On other hand its high cost that not much with covering experienced higher poverty as measured by nonhealth
capacity of PwDs, unavailability, poor infrastructure and per capita consumption expenditures in only 5 of the
14 the risks of accidents are unquestionable challenges countries (WB and WHO, 2011:40).
disabled people faces. Debashis (2013: 120) share similar idea with
Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

According to road traffic safety regulation of ILO/ 2002/ in terms of disability and microfinance that
Addis Ababa city government, Regulation No /2009: disabled people can’t get the same amount of loan as
Dec 3, 2009, the Addis Ababa city Government someone is getting as able. Persons with disability have
proclaimed to minimize loss of life, accident triggered always given less priority and they were not the main
disability and loss of property in the city and its vicinities target group in terms of inclusion of socio economic
(Baseline survey, 2010: 26).But road traffic associated integration. Never the less, all persons with disabilities
accidents which in turn causes disability are still are not in the poorest of the poor group and they have a
aggravated. good capacity to do job properly in the job market.
The same survey shows that many children When there is a level playing field to perform in the job
drop out from school due to lack of transport cost. The market, disabled people did well for their self-
same study gave reasons for the high dropout of employment.
students with disabilities, the changing physical or In 2006, the World Bank estimated the global
mental development of the child that comes with varying GDP loss due to disability to be between $1.71 trillion to
needs, financial constraints to cover transport cost to $2.23 trillion annually between 12% and 20% of the
and from the school and absence of an individual to populations of developing countries were thought to be
escort the child to school are some of the reasons for non-productive due to disability (Robert,
the frequent dropout rate (Baseline Study, 2010: 43). 2004:32).Poverty is the main characteristic of persons
The majority of disabled participants in a United with disabilities and their families in Ethiopia The
-

States study said that transportation problems were a economic loss to Ethiopia as a result of excluding
major barrier to accessing health care. A study in the disabled people from the labour market estimated at
Republic of Korea suggested that transportation barriers USD 667 million per annum or five percent of the
were a likely factor in keeping people with severe country’s GDP (Yetneberish, 2013: 7&15 ).
physical and communication impairments from One study attempted to account for the extra
participating in population screenings for chronic cost of disability in poverty estimates in two developing
diseases (WB&WHO, 2011). In our case, the solution is countries: Viet Nam and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
just far from reality as we lack not only the means of Before the adjustments, the overall poverty rate in Viet
transportation but also needs and parameters to service Nam was 13.5% and the poverty rate among
situations. households with disability was 16.4%. The extra cost of
h) Economic Challenges disability was estimated at 9.0% resulting in an increase
The institute for social development study of in the poverty rate among households with disability to
Vietnams shows that the social model also relates to 20.1% and in the overall poverty rate to 15.7%. In Bosnia
economics. It proposes that people can be further and Herzegovina the overall poverty rate was estimated
disabled by a lack of resources in meeting their needs. at 19.5% and among households with disability at
It addresses issues such as the underestimation of the 21.2%. The extra cost of disability was estimated at 14%,
potential of people to contribute fully to society and add resulting in an increase in the poverty rate among
economic value to society if they are given equal rights households with disability to 30.8% and in the overall

© 2019 Global Journals

 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

poverty rate to 22.4% in Ethiopia.(WB and WHO, Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery): Policy
2011: 40). paper; Physical Disability and Rehabilitation
IV. Conclusion Advisory working group.
7. Choike (2009).Institute for Social Development
Despite their disabilities, the person with Studies: Socio-Economic situations of People with
disabilities who can contribute their part in all aspects of disabilities-vietinam.www.choike.org.disability-
countries development, they lacked this opportunity due vietinam.
to both impairment they had and lack of access and 8. Croft, Alison (2010). Including Disabled Children in
availability towards social and economic services, and Learning: Challenges in Developing Countries:
disability stigma and marginalization that aggravated the Create Pathways to Access: Research Monograph
situation to be worsen. Lack of means of rehabilitation No. 36, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1
and support to re-establish their social and economic 9RH, United Kingdom.
situation to normal condition is the other gap not yet 9. CRPD (2007).UN Convention on the Rights of
met. Unspecific policy guideline and its poor Persons with Disabilities.
implementation at ground level is still unsolved 10. CSA (2013). Federal Democratic Republic of

2019
challenges of person with disabilities in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency: Statistical

Year
general, across the countries person with disabilities Abstract 2013.
have poorer health access, lower education 11. Dawson, C. (2007). A practical Guide to Research
achievements, less social and economic participation Methods: third Edition: A user Friendly Manual for 15
and less rates of income than Persons without Mastering Research Projects and Techniques.
Disabilities (PwoDs) especially in rural areas of Ethiopia.

Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

12. Debashis, S. (2013). Microfinance for Disabled
This is partly because people with disabilities experience People: How is it contributing? : European
barriers in accessing services that many of us have long Microfinance Program, Solvay Brussels School of
taken for granted, including health, education, Economics and Management, University Libre de
employment, transport and information as well as Brussels, Belgium and Team Leader, BRAC
rehabilitation. These difficulties are exacerbated with Microfinance Programme. Research Journal of
high level of disability disadvantaged individuals Finance and Accounting; 4 (No.9): 2222-2847.
particularly in rural part of the country. Based on the 13. Eleni, Niguse (2016). Socio-Economic Challenges of
above remarks, majority of persons with disabilities in Women with Disability: The Case of Women With
Ethiopia were disadvantaged groups that faced socio- Mobility disorder and Visual Impairment in Hager
economic challenges in their lives though there are Tibeb Maderaja Derijit in Addis Ababa.
disability welfare policies and service provision 14. Elias, Fekade (2012). Physically disabled students
improvements in compression with last few decades. and physical education: challenges and
opportunities: The case of selected schools in Addis
References Références Referencias
Ababa city. Unpublished MA thesis: Addis Ababa
1. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act2005, University.
S.O.2005, c.11-Ontario 15. ENDAN (2010). Comitato Collaborazione Medica
2. ACPF (2014). The African Report on Children with (CCM): Research on Standard Disability Survey
Disabilities: Promising starts and persisting Tools and Measurement: Ethiopian National
challenges. African Child Policy Forum: Addis Disability Action Network, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ababa. 16. Franck, B. (2013). Inclusive Education and Children
3. Robert, M. and Banque, M. (2004).Disability and with Disabilities in Ethiopia: First-Place Award,
Development, background paper for the World Bank. JKSIS Student Contest, 2015 Education and
4. Baseline Study on the Status of Persons with Development University of Denver (revised 2015).
Disabilities and the Influence of the African Decade 17. Gebre, Yntiso, Merhatsidk Mekonnen, and Abebe
Pronouncement in Ethiopia (2010). (Policies and Gebremedhin (2013). The Development Assistance
Program Implementation): Submitted to the Federal Group (DAG): Tracking Trends in Ethiopia’s Civil
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Labour Society (TECS): Police Brief 4: CSO support to
and Social Affairs (MOLSA). people living with disabilities and the elderly.
5. Berhanu, D. S. (2015). Psychosocial challenges of 18. Genesis, The Holy Bible(1962): English Version.
women with disabilities in some selected Districts of 19. Groce, N, N. Bailey, R. Lang, J. F. Trani and M. Kett
Gedeo Zone, SNNPR: International Journal of (2011). Water and Sanitation Issues for Persons with
Criminal Justice Sciences, Vol 10, Issue 2, Dilla, Disabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A
Ethiopia. Literature Review and Discussion of Implications for
6. CBM (2007). Physical Disability and Rehabilitation Global Health and International development.
(Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Workshops, Journal of Water and Health.

© 20 19 Global Journals
 Socio-Economic Challenges of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Ethiopia

20. Huck, (2004).Elementary Parent involvements, 37. Yamane Taro (1967). Statistics, an Introductory
School Culture, and accountability scores. Analysis: 2nd edition; New York: Harper and Row.
21. ILO, (2009): The Economic Consequence of 38. Yeshimebet Alemu (2014). Impacts of rehabilitation
Excluding People with Disabilities from the World of center on the psycho-social conditions of children
Work, Geneva. with physical impairment. Unpublished MA thesis
22. ILO, (2011): Irish aid Partnership Program: moving Addis Ababa University.
towards disability inclusion, International labour 39. Yetneberish Niguse (2013). General overview of
organization Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Disability in Ethiopia, ECDD.
23. Kalkidan, Shimelis Tiruneh (2015). Social and 40. Yohannes Teressa (2012). Ensuring the right to
Economic Challenges of Service Providers to equal employment opportunities of persons with
Children with Intellectual Disabilities: The Case of disabilities: Critical examination of the Ethiopian legal
Mekane-Eyesus Center for Mentally Challenged framework. Unpublished ,MA thesis Addis Ababa
Children, Addis Ababa University. University.
24. Kassahun,Yibeltal ( 2013). Law and policy situation
of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia: Federation of
2019

Ethiopian National Associations of Persons with

Year

Disabilities presented at disability and risk

management conference. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
16 25. Kothari. C. R, (2004). Research Methodology,
Method and Technique; New Age International (P)
Global Journal of Human Social Science ( C ) Volume XIX Issue I Version I

Limited, Publishers 4835/24, Ansari Road,

Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110002.
26. Mailos, George, and R.D. Michener (1967). An
Introduction to Sampling: Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/
Hunt publishing Company.
27. Mwendwa,G. Mwitiki (2010). Performance of the
Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya (Cpsk) In
Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy in
Kenya, Nairobi.
28. Pandey Prabhat & Mishra Meenu Pandey (2015).
Research Methodology: Tools and Techniques.
29. Robert Metts & Banque Mondiale (2004).Disability
and Development, background paper for the World
Bank.
30. Swain, J. & French, S. (2000).Towards an
affirmation model of disability. Disability and society.
31. UNICEF (2013).Children and young people with
disabilities fact sheet-Unicef; https://www.unicef.org
-

disabilities fact sheet.

32. Victoria Aidan (2010). Obstacles and Challenges
Faced by Disabled Women in Employment
Opportunities in the Public Civil Service in Tanzania:
A Case Study of Dar Es Salaam.
33. Wondwosen Mitiku, Yitayal Alemu & Semahegn
Mengsitu (2014). Challenges and Opportunities to
Implement Inclusive Education: Special Needs
Education. Asian Business Consortium/AJHA/.
University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
34. WHO (2002).Towards a Common Language for
Functioning, Disability and Health: The International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
(ICF). World Health Organization, Geneva.
35. World Bank and World Health Organization
(2011).World Report on Disability.
36. World Health Organization (2008).World Report on
Disability.

© 2019 Global Journals