Recounting the Blessings and Curses of Living with a Disability: The Experiences of Persons with Visual and Physical Impairment in Accra

Abstract

Studies on the living conditions of persons with disability (PWD) in Ghana largely highlight the nonconformity between the physical environment and one�s physical appearance. Even though these studies offer an opportunity to explore the living conditions of PWD�s, they rarely focus on PWD�s interpretation of how their disability influences the enjoyment of various opportunities. Employing an exploratory research design, this study engaged 28 visually impaired and 22 physically challenged persons from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Audio tapes from interviews were transcribed and coded using MaxQDA. Thematic analysis was used, and findings from the study revealed that onset of disability did not entirely present a challenge as some recorded an increased sensitivity in other sense organs which played a critical role in discovering artistic skills. Consequently, experienced challenges were inclined to their social interactions which are fuelled by the inability of Ghanaian dialects to project PWDs as valuable members of society. A consultative educational framework by the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPD) will be needed to overhaul society�s impression and status accorded to the disability community. � 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.