Pattern of Engagement of People with Disabilities and Their Family Members in the Policy Making Process in Albania

Abstract

Post-communist Albanian legislation (1995-2010) provides the preliminary context for the creation of enabling social niches for the engagement of people with disabilities and the family members representing them in the policy-making processes both at the national and local levels. The goal of this study was to determine the pattern of engagement of people with disabilities and their family members in the policy making process at the national and local level and identify the barriers as perceived by them. Participants were 874 persons with disabilities and their family members. The results indicated a strong interest but a poor engagement pattern of people with disabilities and their family members in the policy making process and various structural and attitudinal barriers. Conscious work needs to be done by the government agencies as well as advocacy organizations to create enabling social niches for people with disabilities that encourage their participation in the policy making process as valuable stakeholders in shared governance.