Mapping Disability Stories in Bhutan

This website features data from an ESRC Global Challenges Research Fund project titled, "Understanding, Developing, and Supporting Meaningful Work for Youth with Disabilities in Bhutan" (2018–2021), funded by the UK Government. It features the work of researchers from Royal Thimphu College, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Minnesota. The Primary Investigator for this project is Dr. Matthew Schuelka (University of Minnesota). Data collection and management was facilitated by Dr. Kezang Sherab (Royal University of Bhutan); and Sonam Tshewang Ura, Vanlallawmkimi 'Kimi Hnamte', Tshering Wangchuk, Dago Palden, Dip Raj Pradhan, Jamyang Pelmo, and Leslie Backus (Royal Thimphu College).

While all of the participants featured here are disabled in a variety of ways, this is not the sole focus of their story. By choice, we have made the specifics of their disability 'label'/'diagnosis' purposefully vague. While disability certainly constructs the participants' identity and sense-of-self in greater Bhutanese society, this is only one aspect of a complex story. We hope that this will allow the viewer to focus on the participants' lives as a whole.

All images, videos, and data of the participants are given with their explicit consent. Personal locations such as homes are not accurate for the sake of the participant's privacy.

Click on the links to open the full map stories of each participant.