From the equal opportunity commission case files: experiences among persons with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Bephyer Parey, Hannah Enightoola & Elisabeth Kutscher

Bephyer Parey

https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2023.2233682

Disability and Society

2023

July

DiscrimiationDisabilitySocial modelInclusionEqual opportunity

Everyone has the right to education, work, healthcare, participation in cultural life and community, and rest and leisure. Many groups of people however experience inequities in many aspects of life. One such group is persons with disabilities. The aim of this paper is to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago by examining the complaints lodged with the Equal Opportunity Commission. Using a basic interpretive design, files related to four categories, namely, education, goods and services, accommodations and employment, are examined. Findings indicate various attitudinal, environmental and institutional challenges across all categories as well as financial, psychological and quality of life implications. Against the backdrop of various conceptualisations of the social model of disability and the social relational experiences of disability in the local setting, policy and practice recommendations are presented to support wellbeing for persons with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Completed

Taylor and Francis