Rehabilitation and Inclusion as Human Rights: Disability, Access, and Equity in Belize

Disability and Rehabilitation Rights in Belize

Authors

  • Jeff Hartman University of Wisconsin, Madison https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8369-3142
  • Mia Correa Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital
  • Berndina Eck The Inspiration Center of Belize
  • Evan Cowo The Inspiration Center
  • Rodney Borland University of Wisconsin, Parkside
  • Monica Roe University of Alaska, Anchorage

Keywords:

Disability, rehabilitation, Inclusion, Justice, Equity, Human Rights, Belize

Abstract

Disabled populations are among the most marginalized globally, facing long-entrenched, persistent barriers to accessing healthcare, rehabilitation services, and full societal inclusion. These disparities have led disability-affected populations to face increased risk of adverse outcomes, including chronic health conditions, financial instability, diminished quality of life, and even shortened life expectancy. Such outcomes are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries, whereas few as 5-15% of disabled people may have access to rehabilitation services or assistive technologies and rehabilitation is often considered a secondary, optional service. In the Latin American and Caribbean regions—including Belize—persistent rehabilitative access gaps, lack of local specialist providers, limited inclusive infrastructure, under-resourced health systems, and incomplete commitment to inclusive policies all negatively impact outcomes for disability-affected populations. Rights-based frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), as well as programs emerging in other LMICs, show promising examples of ways by which Belize may move away from inconsistent, charity-based models and embrace holistic methods grounded in human rights and a commitment to participatory, inclusive approaches for meeting the needs of disability-affected Belizeans. This conceptual paper aims to highlight the interconnected relationship between disability, rehabilitation access, and human rights by examining the scope and impacts of disability in Belize, identifying gaps in health and rehabilitative services and their rights-related implications, reviewing rights-based frameworks from other LMICs that may be relevant to Belize, and outlining opportunities for strategic planning and policy improvements at both community and governmental levels.

Author Biographies

Jeff Hartman, University of Wisconsin, Madison

 Jeff Hartman, PT, DPT, MPH, is an associate professor of physical therapy in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Hartman is Orthopedic Residency trained and has a master’s degree in public health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He also received a certificate in Global Health and has gone on to blend his physical therapy and public health backgrounds into an extensive global health career as a clinician, administrator, researcher, and educator. Dr. Hartman’s research focuses on global health and development and is a strong advocate for the rehabilitation professions around the world. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2020 and successfully performed a situational analysis of the rehabilitation professions throughout the country of Belize in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Belize. Dr. Hartman has numerous institutional and professional service responsibilities including the University of Wisconsin’s Global Health Institute’s advisory committee and the DPT Program’s Global Health director. Nationally Dr. Hartman serves on the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Competency sub-committee and has been a dedicated member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Global Health Special Interest Group since 2003. Dr. Hartman was also just awarded the APTA’s Leadership and Innovation Section’s Ronnie Leavitt award for Social Responsibility.

 

Mia Correa, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital

Maria Jose Correa is a recipient of the Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Scholarship and holds a degree in Occupational Therapy from Kaohsiung Medical University. She is currently practicing at the University Hospital, where she applies her training to support patients’ functional recovery and well-being. With a strong commitment to advancing rehabilitation in Belize, Ms. Correa plans to continue her education and emerge as a leader in developing the Occupational Therapy sector nationally.

Berndina Eck, The Inspiration Center of Belize

Berndina Eck is an accomplished social worker with a Master’s degree from the University of the West Indies and extensive experience in disability advocacy. She has contributed to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities through her work with the Department of Human Services, the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA), and the Inspiration Center. She is currently furthering her expertise by pursuing a second Master’s degree in Disability Studies, Rights, and Inclusion at the University of Leeds.

Evan Cowo, The Inspiration Center

Mr. Evan Cowo is widely recognized as a leading advocate for the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in Belize. He has held multiple leadership roles, including serving as Executive Director of CARE Belize, the country’s primary provider of pediatric rehabilitation and advocacy prior to the establishment of the Inspiration Center. Considered one of Belize’s foremost experts in Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR), he currently serves as the long-standing Director of Community-Based Rehabilitation at the Inspiration Center. He holds a degree in Special Education from the University of the West Indies.

Rodney Borland, University of Wisconsin, Parkside

Mr. Borland is a leading advocate for persons with disabilities in Belize. Based in the Toledo District, he draws on his lived experience to inspire and empower others in the disability community. He pursued his studies at the University of Belize and the University of Wisconsin–Parkside recieving a degree in business administration. 

Monica Roe, University of Alaska, Anchorage

Monica Roe holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Clarkson University and is a physical therapist, author, public health student, and researcher/advocate for the social model of disability and inclusive rural health. Monica spent over a decade as a pediatric physical therapy consultant for remote, off-road communities in northwestern Alaska, U.S.A., and one year as the Rehabilitation Director for Hillside Health Care, International (Toledo District). She also collaborated extensively with Toledo-based community partners in Belize's National Resource Center for Inclusive Education (NaRCIE) to help bring culturally responsive disability awareness programming to all Toledo District primary schools. A first-generation college graduate, Monica currently studies public health at the University of Alaska Anchorage with a research focus on disability-inclusive disaster preparedness for rural communities threatened by climate change. As a published author for young readers, Monica's books explore themes of disability, rurality, and social class, while actively seeking to disrupt stereotypes and spark meaningful discussion.

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Published

2026-02-13

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Belizean Research - Special Issue on Human Rights

Section

Special Issue on Human Rights

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Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Belizean Research

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