Investigating the socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities in Chitungwiza
- Author
- Makatare, Wayne T.
- Title
- Investigating the socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities in Chitungwiza
- Abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities in Chitungwiza.The study was done using the case study research design. The study was done with 15 caregivers of children living with disabilities and was conducted at Mufudzi Wakanaka parental care for children with disabilities. Information was obtained through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study objectives included to establish the nature of care provided to children with disabilities by caregivers in Chitungwiza, to identify the socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities and to explore the strategies that can be used to support caregivers of children living with disabilities in Chitungwiza. The study established a number of socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities. Thus, these factors include financial challenges, lack of support services, accessibility barriers and stigma and discrimination. From the findings financial challenges was a key factor that the caregivers of children living with disabilities face. The study also revealed the global, national and African perspectives towards disability and from the study in Africa people who are living with disabilities are perceived a a curse or punishment from the Gods and as a result parents of children living with disabilities face discrimination when attempting to integrate their children with other people.The study's recommendations included the following, social connections and support, financial assistance, education and employment opportunities, healthcare and wellbeing and support and policy and advocacy for caregivers of children living with disabilities. The study also included the implications of social work practice to socio-economic challenges faced by caregivers of children living with disabilities. The implications of social work practice included advocating for more funding for disability and support services, financial assistance, access to educational opportunities and employment opportunities and also access to healthcare services for caregivers of children living with disabilities.
- Date
- June 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Caregivers
- Socio-economic challenges
- Children with disabilities
- Supervisor
- N/A
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
- Media
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Wayne T Makatare