Handicap International commenced Optimum Analysis to conduct a study to better understand the barriers to accessing services for persons with disabilities in Basra governorate, Iraq.

Accessibility was understood as a multi-faceted concept that encompasses multiple dimensions: availability, accessibility, acceptability, adaptability, affordability, and accountability.

In addition to enhancing understanding of barriers to accessing services, this study also aimed to understand commonalities and differences in the identified barriers between different communities or groups, identify factors that facilitate access to services and corroborate feasible solutions to overcome the identified barriers, and provide recommendations for national and governorate level policy.

In total, 40 Key Informant Interviews and 203 direct and indirect surveys with persons with disabilities were conducted.