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The right to participate in political activities is a fundamental human right for every citizen in a country, but this right is often not available to persons with disabilities. This study investigated the level of and barriers to political participation of persons with disabilities in the Buea municipality in Cameroon. A qualitative data collection method, consisting of three focus group discussions with 36 persons with disabilities was conducted. Participants were selected from three categories of persons with disabilities- visually impaired, hearing impaired and physically impaired- who were residing in the Buea municipality. The study found that the involvement of persons with disabilities in politics in the area was minimal as socio-economic, cultural and physical barriers hindered their participation in political activities at both local and national levels. The study concludes that there should be conscious efforts though affirmative actions to promote and respect the rights of persons with disabilities and make the political environment more accessible to persons with disabilities in Cameroon.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Cameroon, politics, participation, persons with disabilities
Research Division:	Education
Research Group:	Specialist studies in education
Research Field:	Special education and disability
Objective Division:	Law, Politics and Community Services
Objective Group:	International relations
Objective Field:	International relations not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Opoku, MP (Mr Max Opoku)
ID Code:	114159
Year Published:	2016
Deposited By:	Education
Deposited On:	2017-02-08
Last Modified:	2018-04-05
Downloads:	58 View Download Statistics