Barriers to Accessing Services for Persons with Disabilities in Basra Governorate Iraq - July 2020 OPTIMUM ANALYSIS Established in 2019, Optimum Analysis is a locally registered research company that operates throughout Iraq. Its mission is to make a contribution to improving humanitarian and development programming, positively impact economic development, and build the capacity of national researchers. By combining the technical skills of international staff with the contextual knowledge of national researchers, and adhering to international standards for social science, Optimum Analysis is able to ensure that the highest quality data and analysis is being delivered. Core services include research design, data collection, and analysis. HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL Handicap International is an independent organization working in the context of poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. The organization is a global leader in working with people with disabilities. In Iraq, Handicap International helps people with disabilities through rehabilitation teams that are integrated into local health structures or through mobile teams. The organization also raises awareness among the local population of the dangers of explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices and provides support to humanitarian organizations and local authorities to ensure that the special needs of people with disabilities and vulnerable people are taken into account in humanitarian and government programming. DISCLAIMER This report is not a legally binding document. The findings, opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this informational and assessment document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Handicap International in all of its contents. Copyright © 2020 Handicap International. All rights reserved. Barriers to Accessing Services for Persons with Disabilities in Basra Governorate – July 2020 ACKNOWLEDGMENT The support and assistance of Handicap International staff in Erbil and Baghdad governorates were crucial for the successful completion of this research project. Amongst others, Handicap International staff provided Optimum Analysis with documents for the desk review, input on the data collection tools, support during fieldwork, and input on the final report. In specific, Optimum Analysis would like to express its gratitude to the following Handicap International staff for their help and support throughout all phases of this project: ▪ Maëlle Pelletier Field Coordinator – Baghdad ▪ Sophie Allin Technical Unit Co-Ordinator ▪ Rabel Iwan Supply Manager Optimum Analysis would like to extend its gratitude to persons with disabilities, their family members, and other stakeholders in Basra governorate, for their participation in this research project as respondents. TEAM STRUCTURE This research project was executed by Optimum Analysis. The following individuals made a significant contribution to the research design, data collection, and analysis: ▪ Sarah Nijholt Technical Advisor ▪ Mahran Alhayek Fieldwork Manager ▪ Zainab M. Ridha Al-Farttosi Qualitative Researcher ▪ Safaa Ameen Naser Quantitative Team Leader Optimum Analysis 1 Research Design, Data Collection, and Analysis Barriers to Accessing Services for Persons with Disabilities in Basra Governorate – July 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8 2. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 2.1 Desk Review ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Qualitative Interviews ............................................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Quantitative Disability Survey ............................................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 2.5 Limitations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 3. Desk Review ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 4. Persons With Disabilities ............................................................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Demographics ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Washington Group Questions ................................................................................................................................ 17 4.3 Prevalence and Causes of Disabilities ................................................................................................................. 20 5. Rights of Persons with Disabilities ......................................................................................................................... 22 5.1 Legal Documentation ................................................................................................................................................. 22 5.2 Awareness and Implementation ........................................................................................................................... 22 6.The Right to Education ................................................................................................................................................... 24 6.1 Barriers to Enrolment ............................................................................................................................................... 24 6.2 Barriers in Mainstream and Specialized Education ...................................................................................... 25 6.3 Push Factors to Enrolment ...................................................................................................................................... 29 7. The Right to Employment and Social Protection ............................................................................................ 30 7.1 Barriers to Securing Employment ........................................................................................................................ 30 7.2 Barriers During Employment ................................................................................................................................. 31 7.3 Household Financial Status ..................................................................................................................................... 33 7.4 Social Welfare................................................................................................................................................................ 33 8. the Right to Healthcare .................................................................................................................................................. 36 8.1 Registration with the Ministry of Health ........................................................................................................... 36 8.2 Specialized Healthcare Services ............................................................................................................................ 37 8.3 General Healthcare Services ................................................................................................................................... 40 9. The Right to Inclusion in the Community ........................................................................................................... 42 9.1 Support Systems .......................................................................................................................................................... 42 9.2 Community Participation ......................................................................................................................................... 45 9.3 Participation