Connection between disabilities and poverty - Essay Example

Connection between disabilities and poverty There is a clear connection existing between disability and poverty. Poverty causes disability and even furthers the rate of secondary disabilities for the already disabled individuals. On the other hand, disability has a direct link to poverty. This is evident as most of the individuals with a disability are over-represented among the poorest people especially in the developing countries (Palmer, 218).The causes of disability among the poor result from factors such as poor living conditions, malnutrition, lack of educational opportunities, unemployment, stressful living, and poor access to healthcare.

Low income precedes disability. Consequently, poverty among the pregnant women, poor diet, and stressful living increases the incidences of prematurity among the babies. For example, premature births and low birth weight are indicators of future disability (Lustig and Strauser, 195). Together disability and poverty creates a vicious circle.Worldwide over a billion people have some form of disability with majority of the incidents resulting from poverty instances. Once the poor people are disabled, their poverty levels worsen more.

Disabled people are subjects of discrimination in the world we live in, and are frequently denied access to employment opportunities, healthcare, and education that they require to lift them out of poverty. Rather the individuals become poorer more. Individuals with a disability remain on the verge edge of existence and their poverty levels cause a greater effect on their disability (Braithwaite and Mont 220).ConclusionTogether disability and poverty creates a vicious circle. However, disabled individuals re often regarded to be a curse in the society and are even considered being as a result of witchcraft and bad luck.

Disabled people are often hidden away from others or left even alone to die. The millennium development goal on eradication of poverty can only be achieved if special consideration is given to the disabled individuals.Work citiedBraithwaite, Jeanine, and Daniel Mont. “Disability and Poverty: A Survey of World Bank Poverty Assessments and Implications.” Alter 3 (2009): 219–232.Lustig, D. C., and D. R. Strauser. “Causal Relationships Between Poverty and Disability.” Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin 2007 : 194–202.Palmer, M. “Disability and Poverty: A Conceptual Review.

” Journal of Disability Policy Studies 2011 : 210–218.