Exploring the Experience of Individuals with Physical Disabilities Regarding Stigma and Discrimination during Childhood: A review of literature

Abstract

Introduction: Physical disability is considered a burden in majority of developing countries. Little has been documented about the  experiences of people with physical disabilities until recently, in a few African countries. Only a small number of studies focus on the experiences of children with disabilities in terms of violence, stigma, and discrimination and the impact these have on their general health and wellbeing. It is suggested here that to achieve human rights to reduce violence, stigma, and discrimination toward people with physical disabilities, there is a need for the implementation of policy and guidelines, as well as the implementation of inclusion in  educational and institutional systems. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of people with physical disabilities during their childhood and has highlighted the impact stigma and discrimination has on their lives.

Materials and Methods: This literature review was conducted through the use of public health databases as the main sources of  information. The literature is comprised of primary research articles, policy documents, case studies, relevant books, and book chapters and legislations. A progressive search of public health databases was conducted; these databases are CINAHL Plus, Europe PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubMed, SCOPUS, Social care online, and Wiley Online Library.

Results: The review has shown that there is a need for further development of research in developing countries, particularly in African nations. These burdens and challenges can be addressed by understanding the current status. This literature review study focused on the experiences of people with physical disabilities concerning violence, stigma, and discrimination perceived during their childhood in  developing countries. The literature relevant to problems of violence, stigma, and discrimination in schools, communities and institutional settings has also been explained in detail.

Conclusion: Being able to separate the elements that aid violence, stigma and discrimination toward people with physical disabilities will aid in the development of interventions, which guarantee quality assurance in modern healthcare and sustainability for millions of disabled people in developing countries and prevent thousands of children from experiencing any form of violence, stigma, and  discrimination in these regions.

Recommendation: Some of the stigma, discrimination, and violence people with physical disabilities experience can be prevented through the initiation and maintenance of effective public health awareness campaigns. This will help nurture the receptiveness to the rights of persons with disabilities; promoting greater social awareness and positive perceptions towards individuals with disabilities; promoting recognition of the merit, skills, and abilities of individuals with disabilities as well as their contributions to the communities, schools, labour market, and workplace.

Keywords: Physical Disability, Stigma, Discrimination, Childhood Disability, Africa