Presentation Information
[1L09]A Capability Approach-Based Assessment of Accessibility among Women with Disabilities:Findings from the First Survey on In-home and Out-of-home (Going-out) Activities in Bangladesh
*Mami KANAZAWA1,2 (1. Sophia University, 2. Teikyo University)
Keywords:
disability,woman,woman with disability (WWD),accessibility,capability approach
This study aims to conduct a multidimensional assessment of accessibility among women with disabilities (WWDs) in Bangladesh, who experience multiple and intersecting disadvantages arising from the nexus of gender and disability. Grounded in the Capability Approach, the research focuses on both outdoor and in-home activities to examine how accessibility shapes daily functioning and well-being. In April 2025, the first survey was conducted with 41 WWDs and 39 women without disabilities recruited through organizations of WWDs. Using the newly developed “Out-In Capability Index (OICI: Bangladesh version for WWDs),” a comparative analysis was carried out between capability for use (experienced difficulties) and achieved functionings (sense of life fulfillment). The results indicate that WWDs demonstrate significantly lower capability for use than their women without disabilities counterparts, with particularly severe challenges in environmental and interpersonal dimensions within the home. Moreover, a lack of “sense of safety” was observed even in domestic spaces, suggesting the existence of embedded social and cultural barriers within the household sphere. Considerable individual variation in capability levels was also identified, revealing the limitations of capturing diverse lived experiences through a single quantitative index. Future research will pursue longitudinal and qualitative analyses to further elucidate the structural nature of difficulties specific to WWDs and to derive theoretical and policy implications for inclusive social development.
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