Parents’ Perspectives on Wellbeing among Children with Disabilities in Trinidad: Using Sen’s Capability Approach and Mixed Methods

Abstract

This paper examines parents’ perspectives on wellbeing among children with disabilities in Trinidad using mixed methods and Sen’s capability approach. In an exploratory phase a list of functionings is identified from interviews with parents and advocates of these children. In the second phase the qualitative information is used to develop a questionnaire which is administered among parents of children with disabilities in the final phase. The questionnaire contains both closed and open-ended questions which respectively measures wellbeing among children with disabilities and collects information on hindering factors. Twenty-nine functionings of importance were identified and parents’ responses in the final phase indicate deprivations in all functionings including those related to basic needs. Targeted responses to girls with disabilities and children with multiple disabilities are required as greater deprivation was revealed among them. Results also indicated the absence of various societal structures which hindered the achievement of fundamental rights and freedoms and overall wellbeing among children with disabilities. Moreover, the integrated findings suggest the need for public systems regarding therapy, supportive devices, disability-related health-care services, and transportation, as well as improvement to the education system, specifically the provision of accommodations within the regular schools necessary for the inclusion of children with disabilities.