Key messages

  1. The extent to which the concept of independent living has been applied from the perspective of a number of persons with disabilities in Omani society is determined by identifying the measures taken by the public services sector to enable them to work and start a family after their university studies, as well as by exploring these individuals’ experiences, the challenges they face, and recommendations that can be adopted as part of future policies.
  2. Applying the concept of independent living for persons with disabilities depends on their level of access to opportunities for basic schooling and university education, and following that, to work and start a family, regardless of their means and abilities. Prevailing attitudes and perceptions within society prevent persons with disabilities from becoming self-reliant, exercising self-determination and fully integrating into society.
  3. There is a positive relationship between persons with disabilities being able to access public and social services and the extent to which they make use of them, which could contribute to increasing their ability to adapt socially. Differences on this point between this study and previous studies can be attributed to differing concepts of social adaptation and independent living.
  4. There is a lack of studies on the independent living of persons with disabilities in Omani society, although there are previous studies on the ability of persons with disabilities to adapt to different environments.
  5. There is a need to stimulate scientific research on independent living, as well as to involve persons with disabilities, especially women, in the preparation, formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies related to independent living and self-determination at the local and global levels. Efforts should be consolidated to promote the concepts of independent living, self-reliance and self-determination among persons with disabilities and their families through awareness-raising, education and training programmes as part of a national strategic framework.