May 6 - 8, 2002
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Providing Culturally Competent Disability Services
to Persons Born in other Countries May 6 - 8, 2002 |
Working with people with disabilities from ethno racial communities: A Canadian experience
Cornwell, L.
Women's Health in Women's Hands
Community Health Centre
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Linda@whiwh.com
Abstract
This presentation will discuss barriers to integration for ethno-racial people with disabilities and strategies adopted by Women's Health in Women's Hands, (WHIWH), a community health center in Toronto, Canada. WHIWH has developed a uni que model of care, taking into account the impact of the intersections of gender, race, class, ability, sexual orientation, age and immigration status. These factors, combined with the social determinants of health and societal barriers, affect access to services for newcomers with disabilities. To deliver appropriate, culturally competent and accessible services for women with disabilities, WHIWH has worked in collaborative partnerships with Ethno-racial People with Disabilities of Ontario (ERDC O) and other organizations. ERDCO is a community-based organization dedicated to promoting the unique issues of ethnic and racial minority persons with disabilities. Issues of immigration, settlement, violence and access to health and social ser vices will be highlighted. Strategies developed to overcome barriers, research projects and resources developed in Canada, will be shared.