Disability and Civil Society Through a Rights-Based Lens: Barriers to Access, Stigmatization and Social Participation
Journal of Social Service Research, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/01488376.2026.2716148
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Social Service Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Disability, civil society, social work, accessibility, rights-based approach
- Uşak Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Disability is a multifaceted phenomenon that concerns numerous disciplines with its economic, social, psychological, and physiological dimensions. Certain barriers embedded within the social structure restrict individuals with disabilities from accessing fundamental rights and freedoms. By drawing attention to the human rights violations faced by individuals with disabilities, this study aims to evaluate the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in addressing these violations through a rights-based social work lens. To this end, adopting a case study design, which is one of the qualitative research methods, the study included a total of 20 participants, consisting of administrators, registered members with disabilities, and volunteers from the Aegean region branch of a long-established civil society organization operating in the field of disability in Türkiye. The diverse participant group provided multifaceted perspectives on disability experiences, volunteer engagement, and civil society structures. Findings revealed that challenges centered around accessibility, exclusion, and stigmatization. Furthermore, certain internal interactions hindered advocacy, keeping organizational efforts mostly within the socio-cultural sphere. Grounded in a rights-based social work approach, this study underscores that civil society organizations must strengthen macro-level advocacy to raise awareness and enhance access to fundamental rights like employment, healthcare, and education.