Factors influencing the living standards of adults with physical disabilities in Igembe Central Constituency, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Disability is about people and their social relationships, and as such it is about the life of people with disabilities and their interaction with the community and the environment. Further, those defined as people with disabilities do not necessarily view themselves that way. People have the right to be called what they choose thus as a result; there is no single accepted definition of disability. This study aimed at assessing the factors influencing the living standards of adults with physical disabilities in Igembe Central Constituency, Meru County of Kenya. This study employed descriptive survey design. The target population comprised of 429 physically disabled adults in Igembe Central Constituency.

The data was collected from an adjusted sample size of 202 physically disabled adults selected using simple random sampling using questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). The researcher analyzed the quantitative data using descriptive statistics while the qualitative data was analyzed using conceptual content analysis. In addition Spearman's rank correlation was used tocalculate the average ranking of the factors. From the findings, this study concludes that access to education affect the living standards of adults with physical disabilities as most of them had very low level of education.

The study revealed that creation of employment opportunities influences the living standards of adults with physical disabilities. The study also concludes that income level affect the living standards of adults with physical disabilities as majority do not have a source of income. The study further deduced that housing affect adults with physical disabilities' living standards.

The study recommends that to improve the problem of specialized education, there is need to come up with institutions to cater for the people with disabilities, giving leadership to people who are concerned with development issues and employing community social workers training them. The study further recommends that there should be adequate cash transfer from the government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to the disabled to cater for food and clothing, helped them start a business and in acquiring of tools and equipment.