Examining the rights of children with intellectual disability in South Africa: Children's perspectives

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Human rights provide fundamental conditions for people to maintain dignity and selfdetermination
\nand protect a nation’s most vulnerable citizens. In South Africa, children with
\nintellectual disability who experience socioeconomic disadvantage may be particularly vulnerable due
\nto their cognitive impairments and inability to garner needed resources.
\nMETHOD. The perceptions of children with intellectual disability regarding their access to basic
\namenities in their home environments were examined to determine whether their positive human
\nrights were met. Risk factors were examined in relation to these perceptions.
\nRESULTS. The results suggested that participants generally reported high degrees of access to basic
\nresources. Logistic regressions suggested socioeconomic risk factors (e.g., income, education,
\nhousehold size, relationship status) were negatively related to children’s reports of access to food and
\ntheir own beds and positively related to having someone available to explain confusing concepts to
\nthem.
\nCONCLUSIONS. The positive human rights of children living in high risk environments should be
\nmonitored to ensure all South Africans have their rights met.