The Role of Government Policies in the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Palestinian Society: A Professional Social Work Perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the reality of governmental social policies directed toward the inclusion of persons with physical disabilities in Palestinian society, based on the ecological perspective in social work. This perspective conceptualizes disability as the outcome of a complex interaction between the individual and their social, institutional, and policy environments, rather than as an isolated individual impairment. The study stemmed from a fundamental problem represented by the clear gap between the legislative framework supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and the level of practical implementation of these policies, which limits their effectiveness in achieving comprehensive and sustainable inclusion. The study employed a descriptive–analytical methodology and targeted two samples: persons with physical disabilities as direct beneficiaries of governmental policies, and social workers as key professionals responsible for policy implementation. Data were collected through two validated and reliable questionnaires. The findings showed that the level of inclusion and benefit from governmental policies, as perceived by persons with physical disabilities, was moderate, indicating partial inclusion primarily supported by families and informal community networks, alongside a limited institutional role—particularly in economic empowerment, employment, and environmental accessibility. Similarly, social workers rated the effectiveness of governmental social policies as moderate, attributing this to deficiencies in implementation mechanisms, follow-up processes, and institutional coordination. The findings revealed statistically significant gender-based differences among persons with physical disabilities in favor of females, while no significant differences were observed by age or place of residence, indicating the centralized and non-context-sensitive nature of public policies. Significant differences were also found according to social workers’ years of professional experience, underscoring the role of accumulated practice in shaping critical policy awareness. The study concludes that, despite their legislative presence, governmental social policies in Palestine suffer from ecological fragmentation due to weak integration across individual, familial, institutional, and policy levels, highlighting the need for an integrated ecological framework that promotes empowerment, participation, and social justice, and advances inclusion as a sustainable institutional practice.