May 6 - 8, 2002
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Providing Culturally Competent Disability Services
to Persons Born in other Countries May 6 - 8, 2002 |
Disability in China and Taiwan: Similarities and differences with implications for vocational rehabilitation counselors
Schaller, J.; Yang, N. K.
University of Texas at Austin
Department of Special Education
Austin, Texas 78712 USA
jschaller@mail.utexas.edu
Abstract
Professionals may treat Chinese cultural groups as a whole entity, and not consider influences of systems differences in China and Taiwan. Similarities or differences in services for individuals with disabilities in China and Taiwan have implications for vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors. For example, each country has special education for children and young adults with disabilities. China, in general, has placed higher status on people with disabilities since the Cultural Revolution than Taiwan has, although Taiwan has more services than China. However, adult services for people with disabilities are lacking in each country. For example, the first sheltered workshop for individuals with autism opened in Kaoshiung, the second largest city in Taiwan, in 2000. Accessibility issues in each country will be discussed. In addition, there are current issues between the two countries that are relevant for vocational rehabilitation practitioners. Finally, suggestions for practitioners will be provided, based on these issues.