The Challenges and approaches for the agenda 2030: Perspectives from Persons with Disabilities of a small island context

Abstract

The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is predicted to bring a paradigm shift in the way disability is perceived by the general population. This paper explores the social grievances of persons with disabilities in the context of a middle-income small island nation of the Maldives from a human rights-based approach. The findings from a qualitative inquiry through a phenomenological approach, consisted of 15 participants with disabilities as well as carers and parents of children with disabilities. Through thematic analysis, the findings indicated that the environment is disabling, opportunities were limited for participation and improving capabilities as well as inadequacies for social protection for people with disabilities were restricted. These speak to the need for a shift in the moral view of persons with disabilities from that of dependants to human diversity to facilitate the capabilities of persons with disability, their dignitary and meaningful engagement in the society. There is a need to further explore approaches to make this shift in the society and use human right approach to social protection to make progress towards Leave No One Behind Agenda of 2030.