Exclusion of children with disabilities in community development in Binga Rural Communities, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of exclusion of children with disabilities (CWDs) in community development in Manjolo ward, Binga, Zimbabwe. A qualitative methodology was employed to collect and analyse data from 22 participants. Participants were 6 CWDs, 4 caregivers, 4 key informants, 5 focus group discussion (FGD) members of the Child Protection Committee (CPC) and 3 children without disabilities. Using the models of disability, the study found that CWDs in Binga faced physical environmental barriers, isolation and were hidden from the public and lacked access to special services. The society believed bearing a child with disability as a curse. The local support systems remained weak to support CWDs. lack of assistive devices, limited skills among service providers, lack of empowerment of CWDs, negative attitudes and perceptions and lack of policy implementation contributed to exclusion of CWDs. The study argues that it is hard to fight rural poverty as long CWDs continue to be excluded. This study recommends the empowerment of CWDs and their inclusion in community development to transform rural communities.

Key Terms: children, disabilities, exclusion, community development