Using Sen’s Capability Approach to Assess Wellbeing Among Working-Age Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad

Abstract

There is growing evidence that persons with disabilities are poorer and more disadvantaged than others in society. Using Sen’s capability approach, this paper examines wellbeing among working-age persons with disabilities in Trinidad. A multiphase mixed methods design with three phases is employed. These are (i) an exploratory phase, (ii) an instrument development phase, and (iii) a convergent design. Functionings of importance are identified from 25 interviews in the exploratory phase and used to develop an instrument in the second phase with both closed- and open-ended questions. Administered in the final phase, the instrument measures wellbeing achievement and seeks to identify its hindering factors. Based on 51 observations, the results indicate that working-age persons with disabilities were deprived in many areas, including work, healthcare, transportation, and acceptance. Persons with disabilities in the sample were also reliant on the disability grant for survival. The integrated findings suggest changes to the education, work, and healthcare systems to promote sustainable wellbeing for working-age persons with disabilities in Trinidad.