Dissertation Title: Disability reform in Albania: innovations and challenges of implementing the biopsychosocial model of disability assessment
Authors: Julia Musta
- Institution: University of Tirana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Labor and Social Policy
- Field of study: Social work
- Publication date: 24.07.2026
- The dissertation is published in Albanian.
© Copyright: Julia Musta
Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT.
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Abstract: The growing attention on the rights of persons with disabilities over the past decades has dictated the need for the transformation of disability assessment models worldwide, including Albania. In the context of harmonizing legislation and policies with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the need to address issues of effectiveness and efficiency in the social protection program, Albania officially launched the implementation of the biopsychosocial model of disability assessment around the end of 2019. The radical reform of the assessment model justified the need to conduct this study that aims to analyze the implementation of the biopsychosocial model of assessment in Albania by exploring the innovations and challenges faced by KSHVAK professionals, persons with disabilities and key persons. The study's conclusions were based on a qualitative methodology that combined semi-structured interviews with 25 professionals, 20 PWDs and 5 key people with a critical analysis of the legal, institutional and strategic framework related to the implementation of the biopsychosocial model. The study's findings suggest that the biopsychosocial model of disability assessment marks a radical shift from a model that assesses diagnosis to a model that assesses functioning. This model, through the establishment of multidisciplinary teams with doctors and social workers, has made disability assessment holistic and has fundamentally reconceptualized the model of support for PWDs by combining payments with integrated services, which are provided in accordance with the individual needs of each PWD. However, the fulfillment of the ambitious vision for increasing the participation of PWDs in society is limited by the insufficiency and limited access to services, especially in rural areas, as well as the commitment of public structures of integrated services. On the other hand, payments fail to effectively cover the multiple needs of children and adults with disabilities. The challenges suggest the need to enrich the basket of services at the national level, engage and coordinate between structures, and reassess the extent of support for children and adults with disabilities, in order to guarantee a dignified standard of living and integration into society.
Keywords: PWD, biopsychosocial, disabled, integrated services
Abstract: The increasing focus on the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in recent decades has led to the need to transform disability assessment models worldwide, including in Albania. Within the framework of harmonizing legislation and policies with the principles of the UN Convention on the PwDs, as well as addressing issues of effectiveness and efficiency in the social protection program, Albania initiated the implementation of the biopsychosocial model towards the end of 2019. The fundamental reform of the assessment model justified the need to undertake this study, which aims to analyze the implementation of the biopsychosocial assessment model in Albania by exploring the innovations and challenges encountered by multidisciplinary team professionals, PwDs, and key informants. The study's findings are based on a qualitative methodology combining semi-structured interviews with 25 professionals, 20 PwDs, and 5 key informants, alongside a critical analysis of the legal, institutional, and strategic framework related to the implementation of the biopsychosocial model. The findings suggest that the biopsychosocial model of disability assessment marks a fundamental shift from a diagnosis-based model to a functioning-based model. Through the establishment of multidisciplinary teams composed of doctors and social workers, this model has made disability assessment more holistic and has fundamentally reconceptualized the support model for PwDs by linking cash benefits with integrated services provided in accordance with the individual needs of each individual. However the fulfillment of the ambitious vision to increase the participation of PwDs in society is constrained by the insufficient availability and limited accessibility of services, particularly in rural areas, as well as the limited engagement of public institutions responsible for integrated service provision. On the other hand, financial benefits will not effectively cover the needs of children and adults with disabilities. These challenges highlight the need to expand the service package at the national level, ensure effective engagement and coordination among institutions, and reassess the level of support for children and adults with disabilities in order to guarantee a dignified standard of living and full social inclusion.
Keywords: PwDs, biopsychosocial, disability, integrated services