Causes of Institutionalization

The reasons for institutionalization ranged from personal to policy-related ones. 

Iraq is the only Arab country that institutionalizes persons only when they have severe disabilities. Morocco, the State of Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen institutionalize persons with mild disabilities, including mild sensory ones. 

Most public officials attributed institutionalization in their countries to challenges faced by families in caring for their relatives with disabilities. Jordanian and Moroccan officials reported that persons with disabilities were primarily institutionalized for reasons relating to orphanhood and abandonment. The official from Qatar described institutionalization as driven by a lack of parental knowledge and skills surrounding the specific needs of persons with disabilities, a view that was echoed by officials from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.  The official from Yemen also referenced the lack of services outside major cities as a reason behind institutionalization. The Syrian official reported that persons with disabilities reside in institutions mainly due to poverty and internal displacement, but also because of high unemployment, emigration and the heavy ‘burden’ they put on their families. 

In Lebanon, the lack of coordination between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the ministries of transportation and education was described as delaying the integration process and given as a reason for institutionalization. The Lebanese public official noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs has no power over other ministries to advance integration, as there is no law in Lebanon that supports independent living of persons with disabilities. According to one report, poverty and education were the two main reasons for institutionalization in Lebanon.[1]

Directors of institutions, particularly private, for-profit ones, reported that parents and families admit their children with disabilities so that they can obtain disability-specific medical assistance, education, vocational training and other services. Directors of institutions also reported admission due to orphanhood, abandonment, parents’ inability to take care of their children, social stigma, and court decisions requiring institutionalization.