Abstract

Persons living with disabilities have adopted several coping strategies to cope with the myriad of challenges they encounter on a daily basis. Some of these coping strategies include seeking social support, problem solving, escaping and avoidance, isolation, confrontation, social media, movies, making friends and utilising relationships. These coping strategies, however, differ with demography and purpose. For instance, disabled students could easily adopt any of these strategies to navigate daily experiences but for older adults seeking economic opportunities, these may not readily be available. The sad reality for disabled persons in Nigeria however is the fact that there are no social supports to help as coping strategies, hence persons with disabilities have to rely on their immediate environment for the necessary helps and support that can be provided them. This study investigates the coping strategies adopted by persons with disabilities to navigate the harsh economic realities in Nigeria in order to make a living. Secondary sources were reviewed to provide data for the study and the findings were thematically analysed. The study established that disabled persons rely on empowerment from government and non-government stakeholders to acquire skills and capital for business. The study therefore recommends the implementation of necessary policies and legislations that promote and protect the rights of disabled people to engage their skills and potentials for dignified living like their non-disabled counterparts.