Livelihoods of youths with and without disabilities in peri-urban South Africa

Authors

  • Fasloen Adams Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Denise Franzsen Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Patricia de Witt Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Patrick Maseko Bona Lesedi Disability Project
  • Theresa Lorenzo Dept of Health and Rehabilitation Studies Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town

Abstract

South Africa has good legislation advocating for the rights of youth with disabilities although consistent implementation remains problematic. In order to inform policy implementation barriers and opportunities must be identified within each unique context and how these influence the ability of youth with disabilities to sustain their livelihood. This study aimed to investigate the human and financial assets of youth with disabilities living in the disadvantaged communities of Diepsloot and Cosmo City compared to their non-disabled counterparts. The study used a cross-sectional survey design using snowball sampling to identify 189 participants. This study found that the majority of the youth, whether they had a disability or not, had difficulties sustaining their livelihoods particularly the participants with disabilities who had a lower level of education and fewer employment opportunities. Youth with disabilities were financially more stable than their non-disabled counterparts due to their ability to access disability grants.

Key Words: Livelihoods, youths with disabilities, human assets, financial assets

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Author Biographies

  • Fasloen Adams, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

    Qualifications: B Sc OT (Stellenbosch), MSc OT (UCT)

    Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

  • Denise Franzsen, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

    Qualifications: BSc OT (Wits), MSc OT (Wits) DHT (Pret)

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

  • Patricia de Witt, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

    Qualifications: DOT (Pretoria), MSc OT (Wits)

    Head of Department, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

  • Patrick Maseko, Bona Lesedi Disability Project

    Manager

    Bona Lesedi Disability Project

  • Theresa Lorenzo, Dept of Health and Rehabilitation Studies Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town

    Qualifications: B ScOT (Wits), MSc (University of London), PhD (UCT)

    Associate Professor and Programme convenor for Disability Studies Postgraduate Programmes, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town.

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Published

24-01-2015

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 3 (2014): The South African Journal of Occupational Therapy

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

Livelihoods of youths with and without disabilities in peri-urban South Africa. (2015). South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 44(3), 10-17. https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajot/article/view/19667
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