The right of persons with disabilities to social protection and an adequate standard of living is recognized in Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), ratified by Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Upon ratification of the CRPD, these countries commit to adjust their juridical, political and social structures in light of the standards of the Convention. Despite this, evidence from studies in the region points to strong constraints that continue to hinder access to this right.

This project responds to this questioning, proposing the development of a comprehensive study on social protection systems in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. This study will search to identify facilitative factors and barriers that compromise access to this right by persons with disabilities in the region, providing clues for future policy development in conformity with the provisions of the CRPD. For this purpose, it will involve:

•    A systematic analysis of laws, policies and programmes
•    The application of questionnaires to persons with disabilities
•    The development of interviews with persons with disabilities
•    The development of focus groups with family members

This participatory-action-research applies the principles and methodology developed in the context of Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI), and is grounded on a human rights’ approach to disability that emphasizes the involvement and empowerment of persons with disabilities and their organizations throughout the research process.

Start and end date of the project
01-04-2015 to 31-07-2016

Research team
Paula Campos Pinto (Principal Investigator; ISCSP/ULisboa)
Marcia Rioux (York University, Toronto, Canada)
Albino Cunha (ISCSP/ULisboa)
Teresa Janela Pinto (ISCSP/ULisboa)

Partners
Handicap International
York University
Collectif pour la Promotion des Droits des Personnes en Situation de Handicap au Maroc
Organisation Tunisienne de Défense des Droits des Personnes Handicapées
Défis et Espoir de la Femme Handicapée de Jijel, DEFI contre les Myopathies Tazmalt Bejaia, Association Culturelle et d’Insertion des Handicapés Moteurs de la wilaya de Bechar, Association El Baraka, DEFI Seddouk : Association pour Enfants Inadaptés Mentaux, Réseau Algérien des Personnes Handicapés (Algeria)

Funding
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland in the scope of project DECIDE, promoted by Handicap International