According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), a positive correlation exists between disability and poverty in Tunisia. Disabled people are more than twice as likely to live in poverty. Seventeen indicators determine the MPI, including health care, employment, education, living conditions and physical security. As of 2017, Tunisia’s disability prevalence is approximately 14% within a population of 12 million. Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has taken action to reduce disability poverty in its communities. The following article will explain the connection between disability and poverty in Tunisia, amplify Tunisia’s recent achievements in reducing disability-poverty and discuss further improvements.

The Connection Between Disability and Poverty in Tunisia

1. Educational Setbacks: Mental and physical impairments hinder disabled children from attending school. Oftentimes, educational facilities in developing countries do not have accessible transport for students who require wheelchairs or special equipment. Mental disabilities prevent students from learning at the same rate as their peers. This educational gap has direct links to future unemployment and financial instability for disabled persons. 
2. Lack of Employment: In Tunisia, 40% of disabled people are unemployed, a critical factor in the prevalence of disability-poverty. Inadequate education, limited legal protection and disability stigma drive unemployment. While the statistic is unknown, women with disabilities are more likely to face discrimination according to the Tunisian General Trade Union.
3. Poor Access to Health Care: Disabled citizens struggle to obtain quality healthcare. Many healthcare facilities are not wheelchair accessible. Hospitals in developing countries often lack basic equipment such as X-ray machines, exam tables and scales, which prevents service to disabled patients. Healthcare services for disabled patients also tend to be more expensive.
4. Infectious Disease Prevalence: Infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic diseases, are common in Tunisia and worsen disability-poverty. Specifically, infectious disease may cause disabilities, particularly in childhood, by impairing motor, cognitive and sensory function.
5. Unsafe Living Conditions: Dangerous environmental factors can instigate disabilities. Poor sanitation and dangerous infrastructure increase the likelihood of developing a physical impairment. Additionally, unsafe living conditions worsen the health of disabled persons, hindering employment and access to special services. This enacts a cycle of poverty. Impoverished conditions worsen disability, and disability encourages poverty’s increase.

Tunisia’s Advancements in Disability-Poverty Reduction

1. Disability Cards: As of 2012, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) administers disability cards to Tunisians with physical and mental impairments. These cards allow disabled persons to acquire special services and government protection from discrimination. Disabled persons holding these cards are also ensured transportation, health care, access to recreational areas and employment opportunities.
2. Government Funding: The Orientation Act 83 is a federal step to prevent disability and poverty in Tunisia. Organizations are funded in their provision of special education, workshops, vocational training and rehabilitation services. A direct effect of this act is the establishment of four special education institutions in Tunisia.
3. Official Representation: Tunisia’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) originated in 2008 and provides government protection to disabled persons. Three stakeholders make up the CRPD: the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). These departments are largely responsible for improving the living conditions of people with disabilities.
4. Social Organizations: Prior to the 2011 Jasmine revolution, social movements fighting disability-poverty were unheard of. Today, numerous associations exist to protect the welfare of disabled persons. The Tunisian Organization of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Tunisian Association for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Parents and Friends of Persons with Disabilities Association of Tunis are all organizations dedicated to the reduction of disability and poverty in Tunisia.
5. Election Aid: In 2014, Tunisia implemented the use of sign language in all election-related communication. This applies to voting registration, electoral polls, political speeches and national television programming. In 2019, the country implemented new voting technology — braille and sign language lexicons — further aiding citizens with vision or hearing impairments. As a result, Tunisia’s educational gap is reduced and disabled participation in society has increased.

Barriers in the Fight Against Disability Poverty

1. Limit Social Stigma: Much of the Tunisian population treats disabled persons as second-class citizens or “charity cases.” Disability stigma results in negative outcomes on employment and educational opportunities for the impaired. Employment’s decrease results in poverty’s increase.
2. Reliable Enforcement: Although Tunisia has laws to protect the welfare of disabled persons, there is a lack of enforcement of these laws. Disabled citizens’ legal rights are not effectively monitored.
3. Repair COVID-19 Damage: Disability-poverty increased during the pandemic due to higher unemployment. Not only were jobs harder to find, but disabled persons often require contact assistance, putting them at greater risk for disease transmission. Disabled students struggled with remote education, heightening the education gap. Tunisia’s COVID-19 recovery ended towards the end of 2021, but the impact of the pandemic remains prevalent for the disabled community.
4. Tunisian Parliament Suspension: The Tunisian Parliament was suspended after the July 25, 2021, constitutional referendum. This suspension has prevented the Parliamentary Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and other Vulnerable Groups from implementing field programs to aid disability-poverty.
5. Broaden Disability Diagnosis: Although the disability card has reduced disability poverty in Tunisia, it is difficult to acquire these cards. They are given only after an approved medical assessment. This assessment may not account for all psychological impairments. 

Looking Ahead

Although disability and poverty are still a problem in Tunisia today, significant progress has occurred and points to future improvements. 

– Helen Cusick

Helen is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels