May 6 - 8, 2002
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Providing Culturally Competent Disability Services
to Persons Born in other Countries May 6 - 8, 2002 |
Specific provisions for people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds in Australia
Parmenter, T
Centre for Developmental Disability Studies
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia
trevorp@med.usyd.edu.au
Abstract
Specific disability services to people from culturally diverse backgrounds in Australia will be examined, especially the Commonwealth State Disability Agreement, the framework for employment, community living, advocacy and respite programs for people with disabilities, the majority of whom have an intellectual or related developmental disability. Drawing upon government reports and independent research, the barriers to disability services for this population will be highlighted, including attitudes toward s disability within specific cultural groups and the general population, the cultural inappropriateness of some services, and difficulties in accessing information owing to language barriers and a lack of meaningful consultation amongst policymakers, prov iders, consumers and their families. Good practice models will be presented. What national strategies need to be implemented to assist in breaking down barriers to access will be discussed. How relevant the growing self-determination and self-empowerment movements in the general disability population are to those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds will be explored.