Challenges of implementing a disability policy

Abstract

Paper delivered during the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA)Conference in July 10-17, 2010, Bali, Indonesia.

This paper attempts to address the challenges that still persist in the implementation of disability policies. The international realisation of disability policies is the starting point in the implementation process. Different societies, including those in Africa and South Africa, may hold slightly different views of disability policies, but international disability policies are essential to enable societies to adapt more easily to disability policies. The paper investigates the existence of an international disability policy or the lack thereof. There is not yet consensus on a definition of the nature of disability; and the exact number of disabled people in society is still unknown. The challenges of dealing with impairment affect the social, attitudinal, architectural, medical, economic, and political environments. Therefore, in order to address the challenges of disability, one has to be able to define the exact problem of disability. The inaccuracy of figures on people with disability in any society creates challenges in the design and implementation of proper disability policies. The question also arises whether there are any disabilities that are specific to our time, for instance, it is possible that people live longer, and if so, that should have a specific bearing on disability policies and their implementation. The paper focuses on the ramifications of disability policies and suggests ways to deal with them.