Factors Impeding the Role of Municipalities in Disability Inclusion on Economic Empowerment Initiatives

Abstract

South African municipalities have a constitutional mandate and key role to play in ensuring that previously disadvantaged groups, such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), are engaged in every stage of economic empowerment programmes. The inclusion of PWDs in economic empowerment activities depends on mitigating systemic municipal challenges that exacerbate economic inequalities and the marginalisation of PWDs. This study was prompted by the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality (LNLM)’s struggle to include PWDs in development initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods. The purpose of this study is to explore factors impeding LNLM's role in disability inclusion within economic empowerment initiatives. The study employed a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews to collect data from fifteen (n=15) officials, including PWDs, within LNLM. Thematic analysis and ATLAS.ti (via co-occurrence analysis) were used to generate themes and analyse data.  The study findings revealed abuse of public office, ineffective policy implementation, capacity constraints, lack of stakeholder collaboration, and the absence of a disability strategy as barriers impeding the municipality's role in disability inclusion within empowerment matters. The study advises future researchers to expand on strategies to mainstream PWDs into the municipal development agenda. The study recommends that the municipality implement inclusive development principles in empowerment programmes to achieve equitable economic benefits and greater engagement for all.