Disabled Children and Work

This chapter argues that as children with disabilities make up a large minority of all children, there is no excuse for ignoring their engagement with work, and particularly harmful work. Faced with a dearth of data on the nature and extent of work that disabled children do, the chapter draws on what is available and in-depth knowledge of the subject to explain the complex relationships between work and disability, with harmful outcomes often being gendered and also exacerbated for children with disabilities. Children with disabilities face particular vulnerabilities and challenges with regard to work in agriculture. These are not addressed appropriately by current social policy initiatives that aim to improve the wellbeing of children.