Social and Cultural Dimensions of the Disability Problem

Abstract

    Disability is considered one of the significant social, economic, health, and psychological issues facing all societies, leading to a range of problems related to the adaptation and care of the disabled individual and their family. Disability also affects productivity and the achievement of social and economic independence for the disabled, which in turn impacts their contribution to the development and well-being of the community to which they belong. The research problem revolves around exploring the social and cultural dimensions associated with disability, understanding the community's perspective on this phenomenon, and identifying the challenges faced by the disabled and their families in society.The researcher relied on the social survey method, which was applied to a sample of 257 individuals from families of disabled individuals in Libya, using a questionnaire as a means of data collection for the research. The research findings indicate that the conditions leading to disability are primarily due to medical causes, and the Libyan community views the disabled and their   families through a lens of stigma and shame. Additionally, the results show that  one of the main problems faced by disabled individuals in Libyan society is the lack of emotional support and assistance. Furthermore, the research clarifies that disabled individuals occasionally receive some support from the community, but they encounter difficulties in positively interacting with their peers. The results also reveal that the behavior of disabled individuals is sometimes characterized by introversion.