Wescott, Holly
(2023)
Disability inclusion and structural change: Understanding the
relationship between stakeholders in the United Nations Partnership on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) programme.
PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
Global policies, frameworks and programmes have emerged to address the exclusion of
persons with disabilities and their fundamental rights. Existing evidence aligns on the need to
comprehensively understand and address disability rights initiatives in theory and practice, and
this PhD contributes to the body of knowledge through examination of the United Nations
Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). It seeks to fill critical gaps in
knowledge surrounding the mechanisms and processes of structural change in disability inclusive
development.
The existing literature highlights a dearth of comprehensive research on disability rights
within international development programmes. This gap is particularly evident in the limited
exploration of the practical application of Theory of Change (ToC) frameworks and the
dynamics of social dominance in disability inclusive development initiatives. Moreover, there is
a lack of in-depth studies examining such rights-based projects in context as countries seek to
implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The primary research question driving this thesis is: "Is the UNPRPD programme
triggering structural change, and if so, how?" This overarching question guides the study's aims,
which include examining the UNPRPD programme in the context of global UN frameworks,
understanding the influence of capital and dominance, and investigating the processes behind the
UNPRPD programme from the perspective of multiple stakeholders.
The research employs a multi-faceted methodology that combines qualitative and
quantitative approaches. Theoretical and desk analyses grounded the UNPRPD programme
against the existing literature and assisted in framing the country studies that followed. Case
studies in Uruguay and Serbia provide insights into the practical application of ToC, capital and
social dominance theories, while statistical and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses
of census data offer a perspective on disability inclusion challenges. This methodological
diversity enhances the depth and breadth of the research.
The research findings reveal several key insights. Stakeholder engagement dynamics
significantly impacted project outcomes, with Uruguay revealing challenges in involving
individuals with disabilities and Serbia highlighting the value of pre-established relationships
between United Nations Country Team (UNCT) representatives and civil society. Second, the
research underscores the need for adaptive and iterative Theory of Change (ToC) frameworks,
developed collaboratively based on diverse partner experiences, to address potential gaps in
stakeholder perspectives and enhance disability inclusion initiatives. Lastly, social dominance
and capital theories prove instrumental in understanding the multifaceted nature of structural
change within disability inclusive development, considering both historical and contemporary
forces. Overall, these findings hold meaningful implications for policymakers, practitioners, and
advocacy groups, providing valuable insights for effectively navigating the intricacies of
disability inclusion.
In conclusion, this thesis contributes to a more nuanced understanding of disability
inclusion in international development by addressing existing gaps in the literature. It
emphasizes the need for dynamic and iterative ToC frameworks in programmatic evaluations and
the importance of considering capital and social dominance theories in disability inclusive
development.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(PhD)
|
| Keywords: |
Disability inclusion; structural change; Understanding;
stakeholders; United Nations Partnership; Rights of Persons; Disabilities; UNPRPD; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
18855 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
10 Sep 2024 15:05 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
Repository Staff Only(login required)
 |
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads
Altmetric
Altmetric