Disability, social work and social exclusion : new strategies for achieving social inclusion of people with physical disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Yousef, R

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recent statistics estimate that 15.3% of the world population (978 million people) have moderate to severe disabilities, with this figure is set to rise dramatically in the near future.


OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to identify and characterise barriers (financial, social, cultural, socioeconomic) to social inclusion, to investigate the role of social work and social workers working with people with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to provide evidence for future disability social inclusion policies.


METHODS: The study undertook literature reviews of relevant aspects of the domestic, regional and international legislative and social policy framework relating to people with disabilities in the KSA. Qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=20) were undertaken with people with disabilities and social workers (n=2) from within the Rehabilitation Centre in the <font color="blue">White Hospital</font> based in Jeddah.


RESULTS: The study identified ten themes: the nature of medical support; financial assistance; mobility; (5) religion and disability; gender and disability; quality of life; perceptions and problems; social support services and social workers; and Saudi law and policy implementation.


CONCLUSION: The findings indicate there still exists a large implementation gap, as there is a disparity between the rights people with disabilities have on paper, and the rights people with disabilities have in practice in the KSA. People with disabilities interviewed within the research study encountered a multitude of problems and challenges both within the <font color="blue">White Hospital</font> and in Jeddah. These related to areas such as potential medical negligence, non-payment of financial support (benefits), lack of high-quality medical care, services, and provisions, problems with mobility, and negative perceptions and attitudes from society. Overall, the research participants continue to suffer from a low quality of life and there is still a huge amount of work remaining if people with disabilities are to enjoy full social inclusion.

Citation

Yousef, R. (in press). Disability, social work and social exclusion : new strategies for achieving social inclusion of people with physical disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Mar 29, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 5, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2019