The relevance of Ubuntu in disability: A political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental (PESTLE) analysis

People with disabilities often face stigma and discrimination. There is a double increased risk of people living with disabilities to have non communicable diseases such as diabetes, asthma, depression and others. People with disabilities face unequal access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Ubuntu is an African philosophy of life which is holistic in nature and emphasises on the values of respect, kindness, humanness, empathy, generosity, peace, human rights, social interconnectedness, and hospitality. To the authors knowledge the relevance of Ubuntu in the domain of disability has not been analysed holistically from these spheres in one exploration. Utilising conceptual analysis, this chapter reflects and analyses the relevance of Ubuntu in the care of people with disabilities in Africa and beyond through the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental perspectives. Politically, the Ubuntu philosophy places responsibilities on the political leaders in ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are met. The African philosophy of Ubuntu encourages political participation of people with disabilities and their inclusivity in the governance of communities. From an economic perspective, Ubuntu-informed interventions for people with disabilities involve income generating projects and economic sustainability. Socially, Ubuntu also mandates all members of the community to participate in meeting the needs for people with disabilities. Ubuntu has also entered the world of technology and advances technological initiatives that promote people with disabilities to effectively contribute to community development through sensational enhancements and necessary adaptations. Legally, this chapter considers Ubuntu as a moral theory which underpins the promotion of human rights and fights against maltreatment of people with disabilities. It is an ecophilosophy that promotes a good relationship between people with disabilities and the environment. Thus, the African philosophy of Ubuntu is holistic as it promotes the enhancement of the lives of people with disabilities from all spheres of life. Without Ubuntu, people with disabilities would be stigmatised and dehumanised as their human rights and wellbeing are enshrined in the African spirit of humanness (Hunhu in Shona or Ubuntu in Zulu).