Browsing by Author "Sait, Washeila"

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    An exploration of disability experiences and responses of disabled persons and their families within Muslim culture of the community of Strand, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Sait, Washeila; Mji, Gubela; Eide, Arne; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Health Systems and Public Health.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: At the core of the study is the researcher’s perception that Muslim persons with disabilities and their families in the community of Strand are not participating in disability rights discourse and developments and activities of daily living within Muslim life. The perception is that they do not have the necessary knowledge and information, resulting in the practice of stifling care/or negatively impacting opportunities to engender participation. This perception required further investigation and validation, which is why this study was conducted. Study aim: This qualitative study aims to explore, understand and describe the disability experience and responses of Muslim persons with disability and their families within the religious socio-cultural constructs of the Muslim community of Strand. Study purpose: The purpose is to lift Muslim persons with disabilities out of uninformed-ness and invisibility into visibility and awareness, to bring their voices out of silence through descriptions of their specific experiences of disability into arenas of disability rights discourse and developments, and to encourage the development of enabling environments for participation and self-actualization. Methodology: The ethnography research method used describes the disability experiences of Muslim persons with disabilities and their families. Twenty-five participants selected through a blend of purposive and convenience sampling informed the study data. Data was collected using open-ended questions with participants in in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The inductive/deductive analysis and descriptive interpretative narration informed the presentation of the findings. Presentation of findings: The study findings were as follows: • In the absence of disability information and rights-based approaches, the disability context is marred by struggles for participation opportunities to achieve self-actualization, experiences of negative attitudes, discrimination, exclusion and enforced isolation. • Disability ignorance within the community suggests that persons with disabilities and their families experience exclusion from participation in cultural programmes aimed at Muslim persons within the broader community. • The various negative factors that inform the disability context shows that within lived realities, being Muslim, disabled, and that of gender within Muslim religiosity and socio-cultural contexts places Muslim persons with disabilities outside the frame of belonging and of living life on the margins of their own religious, cultural and traditional daily life activities. Conclusion: Further disability research is required to improve the overall situation of Muslim persons with disabilities’ experiences to encourage their participation and self-actualization.