Abstract:
The purpose of this empirical research from Uganda is to provide initial insightinto the ‘black box’ of understanding the economic behaviour of persons withdisabilities and about their use of microfinance services. First, we analyse theincome levels of persons with disabilities in relation to their sources of income.Second, we study the income sources and income levels for different types ofdisabilities. Finally, we analyse how income level and income source relate tothe use of microfinance services for persons with disabilities. We present evi-dence that farmers with disabilities and persons with visual impairments havelower income levels than other persons with disabilities. We then document thatthose with the lowest income levels have the least access to microfinance ser-vices, in particular services from formal institutions. Moreover, respondentsinvolved in farming and manufacturing have less access to formal microfinanceservices than those involved in retail/wholesale or service activities.