The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children with Disabilities: The Case of Chiredzi South, Zimbabwe ()
ABSTRACT
Children with disabilities in Zimbabwe faced several
economic, social and cultural challenges due to crumbling economy and
socialisation. Their plight further deteriorated with the advent of COVID-19
pandemic that struck the world economy. Zimbabwe was not spared from this as
most parents of children with disabilities
are in the informal sector that was badly hit by COVID-19 lockdown
measures that prohibited them from trading. This affected children with
disabilities to access their basic needs. The study was conducted on children
with disabilities in Chiredzi South which is a rural community. The study used
qualitative methodology in the form of desk review and virtual questionnaires
and key informant interviews. These virtual interviews used the ODK application
and ONA server. The main findings of the study were that there are eight
disabilities types in Chiredzi South that are prevalent to children, lack of
movement enablers, lack of telecommunication infrastructure hindered education
and health access for children with disabilities.
The main conclusions were that children living with disabilities in Chiredzi
did not receive meaningful help from government and non-governmental
organisations during COVID-19 pandemic; they are further excluded from accessing basic
services such as education and health. The recommendations of the study are
making sure that special teachers are at schools during lockdown with
government providing them with protective equipment, introduction of subsidies
to assist children with disabilities in schools, accessibility of appropriate
medication for those who live on special medication, and many other recommendations
as outlined at the end of the paper.
Share and Cite:
Olivia, G. , Douglas, G. , Maxwell, M. and Leonorah, N. (2022) The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children with Disabilities: The Case of Chiredzi South, Zimbabwe.
Open Journal of Political Science,
12, 46-62. doi:
10.4236/ojps.2022.121004.