Intellectual disability rights and inclusive citizenship in South Africa : what can a scoping review tell us?
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is the most prevalent disability in the world. People
with intellectual disability (PWID) frequently experience extreme violations of numerous
human rights. Despite greater prevalence in South Africa than in high-income countries, most
ID research currently comes from the Global North. This leaves us with few contextually
sensitive studies to draw from to advance inclusive citizenship.
Objectives: Our scoping review aims to investigate pertinent ID rights issues in South Africa,
synthesise quantitative and qualitative studies, and provide a synopsis of available evidence
on which to base future work. We aim to clarify key concepts, address gaps in the literature
and identify opportunities for further research.
Method: We followed strict eligibility criteria. Medical subject heading terms were entered
into seven databases. Seven reviewers worked independently, two per paper. Quantitative and
qualitative data extraction forms were designed. We followed Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and registered a protocol.
An inductive approach enabled a thematic analysis of selected studies.
Results: By following PRISMA guidelines, 82 studies were assessed for eligibility of which
59 were included. Ten sub-themes were integrated into four main themes: the right not to
be discriminated against, the right to psychological and bodily integrity, the right to
accommodating services and challenges to rights implementation.
Conclusion: People with intellectual disability face compound difficulties when trying to
assert their constitutionally entitled rights. This ongoing project requires serious commitment
and action. Statutory obligations to nurture every South African’s human rights naturally
extend to PWID and their supporters who forge ahead in a disabling environment.
Description
CITATION: Capri, C., Abrahams, L. & McKenzie, J. 2018. Intellectual disability rights and inclusive citizenship in South Africa : what can a scoping review tell us?. African Journal of Disability, 7:a396, doi:10.4102/ajod.v7i0.396.
The original publication is available at https://ajod.org
The original publication is available at https://ajod.org
Keywords
Intellectual disability, Human rights
Citation
Capri, C., Abrahams, L. & McKenzie, J. 2018. Intellectual disability rights and inclusive citizenship in South Africa : what can a scoping review tell us?. African Journal of Disability, 7:a396, doi:10.4102/ajod.v7i0.396