The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its implications for the health and wellbeing of indigenous peoples with disabilities

Abstract

This thesis explores how the expressed health needs of indigenous peoples with disabilities resonate with the mandate of Article 25 ‘Health’ of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The perceptions of indigenous peoples with disabilities are investigated, regarding their access to, and expectations of, health care. Their views are compared to those of health workers, senior bureaucrats and United Nations delegates. A qualitative approach was taken to the research presented in this thesis, framing the research methodology on indigenous enquiry. An exploratory case study approach was taken to compare three jurisdictions: Australia, Mexico and New Zealand. It presents the views of 50 participants including 18 indigenous persons with disabilities, 19 health workers, 10 decision makers and 6 United Nations Delegates. The findings suggest that the health needs of indigenous peoples with disabilities are largely underserved and misunderstood by health departments. Poverty, discrimination and disenfranchisement emerged as being the possible major determinants of the ill health experienced by indigenous peoples with disabilities. This thesis concludes that is necessary to build capacity and rights literacy across indigenous peoples with disabilities, particularly with respect to the CRPD; alongside with a legitimate redistribution of resources and decision-making in response to the expressed health needs of indigenous peoples with disabilities.