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Manoj Sharma, PhD, School of HPER, University of Nebraska at Omaha & Walden University, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0216, 402-554-3245, msharma@mail.unomaha.edu and Sunil Deepak, MD, Projects, Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO), Via Borselli, 4-6, Bologna, 40135, Italy.
A microeconomics theory developed by Nobel laureate, Amartya Sen, called Capability Theory has been used in economics, philosophy, ethics, women's development and other social sciences. However, it has not been used in disability and rehabilitation but the theory offers potential for use in needs assessment, intervention planning and evaluation of rehabilitation programs. The presentation discusses the key constructs from this theory and their application in disability and rehabilitation research. The first construct in the Sen's capability theory is the construct of exchange entitlements which means goods and services that are obtained from a person's resources or endowments rather than buying or selling. The second construct of the theory is called characteristics. This implies that a commodity or good is not desired per se but is valued for a set of attributes that it provides. The third and most important construct of Sen's Capability Theory is capabilities. Capabilities refer to things a person can achieve or could have achieved in life. These are based on a set of real opportunities and not imagined ones. The fourth construct is called functionings. Functionings refer to a mixture of "doings and beings" or the various options or actions we perform in everyday life to achieve things in life. The final construct is well being. Well being refers to one's own welfare. This theory offers potential for descriptive research, educational programs, and presenting evaluation paradigms in the field of rehabilitation.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation the participants will be able to
Keywords: Disability, Theory
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Handout (.ppt format, 95.0 kb)