THE BITTER TASTE OF LIVING WITH A DISABILITY

Discriminatiom and abuse against people with disabilities is an old age phenomenon affecting almost every nation. Policy interventions and awareness campaigns by national governments, human rights groups and the United Nations, though successful to a certain extent, have not eliminated the stigma and prejudice against disabled people. Their cries to be recognized as human beings have been heard but unheeded. Cultural beliefs that associate disability with abnormality have pushed disabled people out of the mainstream society, and despite good intentions for the recognition of their rights, they continue to encounter social barriers as a result of cultural stereotypes and prejudice. This book which is based on a research study conducted in Windhoek,Namibia, provides an insight into incidents and forms of discrimination and abuse against disabled people. The book is a suitable reference material for social workers, human rights groups, researchers, lawyers, education institutions and specialized United Nations agencies.