Community perception of disabilities and its effect on the handicapped: the case study of the Haya society

The aim of this study was to explore, examine and establish community perceptions of disabilities and its subsequent effects on the handicapped individuals and the services provided to them. The objectives of the study were: first, to establish the Haya social interpretation of disabilities leading to perceptions of disability. Secondly, to determine types of activities and the difference in these activities between the handicapped and the non-handicapped. Thirdly, to determine the rights and obligations of the handicapped in contrast to those of the non-hand capped. Fourthly, to determine whether there have been changing conceptions on the handicapped in relation to service provision and development. The study was conducted in Bukoba district, kagera region, in north-western Tanzania. It involved specialist teachers. Religious leaders, leaders of the organizations rendering services to the handicapped, social welfare officers, parents and relatives of the handicapped, the handicapped themselves, traditional midwives and herbalists. The effects of community perception of disabilities were studied in a comparative approach using the handicapped and the non-handicapped in the Haya society. It was found that both the handicapped and the non-handicapped in the Haya society conceived a disability to mean deformities. There were no degrees of disability among the Haya, there were no common indicators of disability but some disabilities were perceived as being more serious than others. It was also found that both the handicapped and non-handicapped in the Haya society perceived disabilities in the same way.it were also found that the handicapped and the non-handicapped did not participate equally in community life in the Haya society. The handicapped participated more in family functions and activities than in the community activities and functions. The study further showed that the handicapped and the non-handicapped in the Haya society did not share equal rights and obligations. Theoretically, the respondents indicated that the handicapped have equal rights and obligations. Practically however, the handicapped had limited rights and did have an equal chance to fulfil their obligations to the society because opportunities were not equalised for them. Eventually, it was found that the care and maintenance of the handicapped in the Haya society is not satisfactory. There are no specialised care and maintenance systems for the handicapped. There are no special services rendered to.