Human Rights-Based Approaches in Disability Care
Andrea Bilotti, Caterina Degl’Innocenti
A human rights-based approach in disability care is crucial for fostering inclusion, self-determination, and social justice. Grounded in anti-oppressive practice (AOP), this approach challenges systemic inequalities that marginalize persons with disabilities. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) emphasizes the need to eliminate structural and attitudinal barriers that restrict full societal participation. Social work plays a fundamental role in ensuring equitable access to services, recognizing legal capacity, and advocating for the autonomy of individuals with disabilities.
This study examines the Tuscan Care Model, an innovative framework that integrates social, health, and environmental dimensions to create person-centred, participatory support systems. Using participatory action research, professionals and individuals with disabilities collaborate to co-develop policies that reflect lived experiences and promote empowerment.
Findings highlight the significance of interprofessional cooperation, adequate resource allocation, and direct involvement of disabled individuals in shaping care pathways. However, persistent challenges — such as systemic ableism, bureaucratic barriers, and regional disparities — necessitate ongoing policy reform. Strengthening anti-oppressive frameworks in social work ensures that disability care moves beyond a medicalized model, embracing accessibility, empowerment, and equal rights as guiding principles. This shift fosters a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities actively shape the decisions affecting their lives.
Keywords
Anti-Oppressive Practice, Interprofessional social work, Disability Studies, PAR, Participation.
