Developing the Islamic model of economic empowerment for inclusivity among caregivers of children with disabilities

Abstract

Caregivers of children with disabilities (CWDs) in Malaysia face significant financial challenges, including the high costs of specialized healthcare, medical treatment, special education, and daycare. While government initiatives, such as zakat assistance and social welfare programs, provide short-term relief, many caregivers continue to struggle due to the absence of a structured, long-term financial planning model tailored to their specific needs. To address this gap, this concept paper proposes the Islamic Model of Economic Empowerment for Inclusivity (IMEEI) to enhance the financial resilience of CWD caregivers by leveraging Islamic financial instruments, specifically zakat, waqf, and Shariah-compliant investments. The proposed model aligns with global and national agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequality), Malaysia’s MADANI Economy vision, and the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. To empirically validate the IMEEI framework, a quantitative cross-sectional research design is outlined. Qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (caregivers, welfare officers, and religious authorities) will first inform the development of a structured survey instrument. Subsequently, survey data will be collected from a sample of 500 caregivers across Malaysia using systematic sampling and analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The expected outcome of this study is a validated financial framework that equips policymakers, Islamic financial institutions, and welfare organizations with structured mechanisms to promote long-term economic inclusion and sustainable empowerment for CWD caregivers in Malaysia.