The lived experiences of persons with mobility impairments in accessing water, sanitation and hygiene services in urban Zimbabwe: The case of a Harare Suburb

Abstract

This paper examines the experiences of persons with physical disabilities in accessing water and sanitation facilities. Using a qualitative research approach, the study is a product of in-depth interviews conducted with 10 persons with physical disabilities residing in a high density suburb of Harare. The study also benefited immensely from input from three key informants working for the municipality. The
study uncovered a number of accessibility challenges that included among others difficulties in accessing water facilities, challenges in
accessing the toilet and bathrooms as well as maintaining personal hygiene. The coping strategies employed to deal with accessibility
barriers included self-help, paying personal assistants and support from well wishers. The study concluded that the challenges faced by persons with physical disabilities stemmed mainly from the absence of disability friendly infrastructure and designs inhibiting their  ability to access basic water, sanitation and hygiene services. The study identified the need for the municipality to embrace universal design principles in compliance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which Zimbabwe is a state party.