Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The quest for the rehabilitation of the physically challenged has always been a major concern and challenge to many governments in different countries of the world especially among the African Nations. Every human society is undoubtedly faced with enormous problems of daily provision of certain services to its teaming populace. Rehabilitation of the physically challenged people on Nigeria has become an increasing societal problems basically because of ineffective social policy.
According to Isaac (2004), the physically challenged in Nigeria have bee confronted by chronic problems which often incapacitate their social and emotional development. In his words, the physically challenged are those who have non-sensory physical limitations, that is not because of sense organs like eyes or ears, but because of other organs like limbs, bones, joints, or muscles studies have shown widespread lack of adequate and sustainable care for the physically challenged in Nigeria society (Shamer, 2002). These problems facing the physically challenged in Enugu State are sequel to lack of inter-sectoral approach towards their plight. The need to improve the welfare and wellbeing of the physically challenged in our society led to the establishment of Emene Rehabilitation centre, whose sole mandate is to ensure complete and unconditional rehabilitation of the physically challenged.
But one basic question that should be of concern to every Nigerian is how the government has faired in providing supportive services to these people and to what extent has the Enugu State Rehabilitation centre rendered its services to the physically challenged? The centre mentioned above was established to render services to earn a living and contribute to the development of the society to which they are members.
However, it is regrettable that the centre has performed below expectation. In essence, this research study is designed to thoroughly and meticulously do an assessment of the services of the physically challenged in Enugu State Rehabilitation Centre. This is necessary if we really want to appreciate the plight of the physically challenged and improve their standard of living. This will create an enabling environment and provide a platform for the formulation of feasible socio-economic policies aimed at enhancing the overall status of the physically challenged in our society particularly in Enugu State. Most Nigerian children who are physically challenged would contribute meaningfully to society in all spheres of life if they are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, there have been series of social policies by successive governments in the country which were designed to guarantee meaningful and sustainable development of every member of Nigerian society. Most of the target goals failed owing to ineffective framework as well as unfaithful implementation of the policies.
There are millions of Nigeria people who have been victims of this unfortunate circumstance following their physical limitations. They are always confronted with the problem of developing under rehabilitating economic, social or psychological conditions as many wallow in crises because of high level and rate of poverty in the society.
In Nigeria, the government ha designed child legislations and child welfare services as means of reducing the problem of the Nigeria children. There are lots of child legislations that stipulate the social welfare services that are provided to children in Nigeria. It is one thing to stipulate child welfare services, and another thing to provide the services to the children as stated in the legislations and policies. Looking at the Nigeria children who are supposed to be the direct beneficiaries of these child welfare services, one may actually provide especially to the physically challenged in Enugu State.
This work is basically tailored to elaborate on the welfare services of the physically challenged in the rehabilitation centre Emene in Enugu State. The researcher is set to appraise the services of the centre so as to establish whether the centre actually provide its services to the physically challenged in State. In other words, this research work will determine the factors that impede or promote the operations and performance of the centre. Effective rehabilitation of the physically challenged in Nigeria and Enugu State in particular has become a global issue in the contemporary time.
1.3 Research Questions
There are a number of issues, and questions that this research study intends to verify and find answers to in the course of this research. To this extent, the following research questions will be employed.
- What are the problems besetting the rehabilitation of the physically challenged in Enugu State?
- What welfare services are available to the physically challenged in Enugu State?
- What is the general attitude of the public towards the plight of the physically challenged?
- What are the factors that impede the overall performance of the centre for the rehabilitation of the physically challenged in Enugu State?
- What roles should Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society organizations play in the rehabilitation process?
- What is the impact of social welfare services on the physically challenged in Enugu State?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study is to assess the services provided to the physically challenged in Emene Rehabilitation centre.
The specific objectives are as follows:
- To ascertain the welfare services available to the physically challenged in Emene rehabilitation centre.
- To determine various factors that impedes or promotes operations of the centre.
- To find out the supportive legislations for the physically challenged in Nigeria.
- To suggest strategies for effective rehabilitation of the physically challenged.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The prevailing socio-economic and psychological trauma of the physically challenged justifies this research study. In any academic research of this nature, the main significance of study could simply be of two folds, that is theoretical significance and practical significance.
The Theoretical Significance: This work will provide a tentative basis for future study of social welfare services and legislations available for the physically challenged in Nigeria. Given its precedence, other researchers will find this work a valuable resource material that will contribute towards the enhancement of the plight of the physically challenged. This work will also help in policy-making and formulation, as it will give ideas on how the existing legislations can be amended in order to be applicable considering the socio-economic status of the physically challenged.
Practical Significance: A very good grasp of the practical benefits of social welfare services and legislations will contribute immensely to effective rehabilitation of the physically challenged in our society. This research work is relevant to various organizations, agencies, and individuals, who may have the interest of the physically challenged at heart. In essence, it will give a first hand challenged to the government and on-governmental organizations who are responsible for the welfare of Nigerians who are physically incapacitated.
Finally, this work will assist the centre for the rehabilitation of the physically challenged in Enugu State to evaluate the degree of its rehabilitation programmes and services.
1.6 Definition of Concepts
The research will define some of the terms or concepts that are adopted in this research work. These concepts will include the following:
Physically Challenged:
These are people who are notable to do things without external support.
Physical Limitations:
This refers to the body incapacitation of a person.
Social Welfare:
This is an organised system of social services and groups within satisfying standards of life and health, personnel and social relationship.
Physical Neglect:
This is an act of omission that endangers a persons health or society. This includes lack of provision of adequate food, clothing, shelter or supervision.
Socio-economic Status:
This refers to the total earnings of a person as well as his/her educational and occupational level.
Legislation:
This is law made to guarantee adequate welfare services for the physically challenged.
Social Policy:
This refers to a persistent course of action taken to provide solution to a social problem.
Rehabilitation:
This refers to restoring the physically challenged socially, economically, occupationally and mentally to maximize usefulness of which he/she is capable.
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