Developmental Social Work for Promoting the Socioeconomic Participation of Persons with Disabilities: An Application of the Capability Approach

Masateru Higashida
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v29i2.716
Submitted: 2020-09-14 11:58:21
Published: 2018-10-02

The promotion of the socioeconomic participation of persons with disabilities is an important concept of developmental social work in community-based rehabilitation (CBR). This approach can be used to tackle poverty and inequalities, and to foster inclusion and empowerment. However, since discussions in the literature on common frameworks for developmental social workers in CBR appear inadequate, this review article aims to develop a practical framework that promotes the socioeconomic participation of persons with disabilities by applying the capability approach. First, the concept of socioeconomic participation and some of its dimensions are discussed and analytically framed using the capability approach. Following this, the practical framework for developmental social work is laid out. It is suggested that developmental social workers consider the complex dynamics between capabilities, functionings, resources, conversion factors, and other factors, with an emphasis on the social dimensions of practice. Thereafter, some theoretical and practical challenges and recommendations are identified.

Keywords

capabilities human development developmental social work social investment community-based rehabilitation

Authors

Masateru Higashida

Masateru Higashida is a PhD student in the Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, whilst working as an expert of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the project for promoting social participation of persons with disabilities in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia. He obtained a Master of Social Welfare from the Osaka Prefecture University, Japan, in 2005, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in International Development with Distinction from the University of Sheffield, UK, in 2016. He worked in disability issues as a social worker in Japan from 2006 to 2012, and in the national community-based rehabilitation programme in Sri Lanka from 2013 to 2015.

How to Cite

Masateru Higashida (2018-10-02). Developmental Social Work for Promoting the Socioeconomic Participation of Persons with Disabilities: An Application of the Capability Approach. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, Vol. 29 No. 2 (2018): Summer 2018, 94-117. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v29i2.716

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