NGOs impact on women with physical disabilities: an independent life in Colombo, Sri Lanka?

Abstract: This study aimed to explore how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka define and interpret an independent life for women with physical disabilities (WWPD) in their services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five employees at five Sri Lankan NGOs. The material was then analysed using two theoretical models, the social and medical model on disability. The study results showed that the selected NGOs in Sri Lanka in the majority defined an independent life as difficult to achieve due to societal barriers. However, one local NGO defined WWPD as not independent due to the individual's impairment. Further results showed that NGOs in Sri Lanka provide individual, employment, education and advocacy/lobbying services to help WWPD achieve independence. Services based on the social model focus more on helping WWPD achieve independence than services based on the medical model. Nevertheless, medical model services are needed in combination with social model services for WWPD to achieve independence. International and national NGOs work with social model services more than local organisations. Further, services connect since several services are needed to achieve independence.