Introduction
Individuals who suffer from disabilities are plagued with different problems within society as they are rarely supported and accepted as a result of the expectations and norms of a culture. Disability is taken as a sign of weakness, and differently-abled individuals are shunned, yet with some assistance, they have proven to be self-reliant, thus leading an everyday life. The attitudes that individuals hold regarding persons with disabilities are shaped by an individual’s family structure, which varies as they are all from differing cultural backgrounds. Comprehending how the diversity of family systems relates to cultural norms offers insights into how people with disabilities are treated and looked at in the community (Babik et al., 2021). This review will detail the influences that family structures have on the support and acceptance that individuals with disability receive by highlighting the benefits of creating a culture that fosters inclusivity and sensitivity, which enables the development of an equitable community.
Historical and contemporary paradigms and perceptions of disability as a diverse population
From time immemorial, individuals with disabilities have been segregated and discriminated against by society. A medical model was utilized, emphasizing an individual’s deficits when they have disabilities. This model indicated that the sources of an individual’s disabilities were the limitations and the impairments they kept. It ignores the role played by society, their attitudes, and obstacles that encourage overlooking the potential that people with disabilities have (Leahy & Ferri, 2022). Therefore, individuals who have disabilities are expected to fit into the norms of society as opposed to society modifying and evolving to make room for their various needs. The emergence of the social model of disability has restructured the views and opinions that were held traditionally regarding disability. This model focuses its attention on the environment and attitudes that foster a disabling surrounding for people with disabilities instead of focusing on the individuals themselves. This argument purports that disability is not a characteristic of an individual. Instead, it is a perception society holds due to the biases and prejudices they possess. Through showcasing the role played by exclusion and societal systems, the importance of developing an inclusive environment and fighting the inequalities that are propagated aids in fostering acceptance and support as advocated by the social model. By doing this, individuals with disabilities can fully participate, be provided with the necessary resources, and be accorded equal opportunities to any other person. Families are influenced, and they are influenced due to the existence of disabilities, which shows the reciprocal nature of families and disabilities (Bahador et al., 2023). The values, ways of life, and beliefs are interconnected with the disabilities in multiple manners, which affects how they comprehend and perceive disabilities and how it is supported within the family unit. The diverse nature of the family structure, for instance, nuclear, blended, or single-parent families, also affects how disability is accepted and received, as some may struggle to come to terms with it while others may readily embrace it.
To highlight the role of cultural diversity, a study was conducted in Australia aimed at responding to cultural diversity by enhancing access and the quality of social services. It investigated how the disability service organization in Australia conducted a program that was developed to enhance cultural responsiveness with families and Australian Chinese people with disability indicated that coproduction was necessary as it led to the improvement of services and Australian Chinese service users were equally satisfied (Fang et al., 2021). Coproduction can be incorporated to identify and respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities, thus creating a suitable and favorable environment for them. In addition, the biases and stereotypes that are held by society are seemingly deconstructed.
The evolution of family-centered educational policy relative to services for individuals with disabilities
The services that individuals with disabilities receive have been shaped by the changes witnessed in the family-centered education policy. This ensures that family members are present and involved whenever decisions are made, which allows the service providers and families to work together. Consequently, this has led to better outcomes. For instance, social integration is enhanced as families are involved in community activities, and they help foster peer relationships, which makes individuals with disabilities feel heard and accepted in society. Educational policies are designed and modified to satisfy the needs of individuals with disabilities, thus fostering an environment that is inclusive and supports all persons (Mi et al., 2017). This shows that diversity is valued in the school environment and individual qualities are recognized, which shows measures taken towards accommodating and catering to the needs of individuals with disabilities. In addition, policies that are centered around family place importance on the objectives and goals of individuals with disabilities together with their families, which fosters an individualized outlook on education. Individualized family programs (IEPs) allow accommodations and interventions tailored for every child and their family. According to Jacobsen (2023), Early intervention programs are essential for families as they provide the support required for children with disabilities and developmental delays. The evolution was brought up by the changes in legislation, standards set, and evidence-based practices. The involvement of families in the education of young children with disabilities started in the 1960s as social and economic factors championed them. The development of parent-to-parent programs ensures that information and support are provided to families of children with disabilities. This is conducted by linking an experienced member of the family who has a child who has a similar disability with one who is new. Philosophical changes have also been witnessed to fulfill the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was designed to enhance the ability of families to meet their children’s needs by acknowledging them as the sole decision-makers. Planning activities around families ensure that they are not just recipients of the services but are active in implementing the process involved in delivering services.
Current social policy for individuals with disabilities and their families
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a social policy that was developed to secure the interests and rights of individuals with disabilities as well as their families. It condemns the discrimination of individuals due to disability and advocates for equality in providing resources and service access (Yell et al., 2017). Under this law, facilities should be modified so that individuals with disabilities can participate in societal activities. This means that any barriers that hinder accessibility should be removed effectively. The service design that has been implemented indicates that there has been a shift that prioritizes individual decisions and their independence, which indicates that they are more person-centered. In addition, they consider the diversity that exists within cultures and the perceptions relating to disabilities. Through this, awareness is promoted, which enhances the ability of people of different cultural backgrounds to accept and understand individuals with disabilities. In marginalized communities, intervention methods such as advocacy may be introduced, ensuring that they access opportunities equally. Non-governmental organizations and other welfare agencies are involved in service coordination to ensure that resources are distributed accordingly. The services provided are implemented by offering individuals with disabilities therapy services, home care, and counseling to obtain the expected outcome. This has led to independence and unity among individuals with disabilities as the policies developed consider and include their needs.
Conclusion
Individuals with disabilities and their families require support and acceptance from the society. The views and perceptions that individuals hold impact individuals with disabilities. Comprehension and acceptance of individuals with disabilities can only be possible when the disparities in culture are addressed. The family structure is essential to foster the well-being of individuals with disabilities by catering to their needs and giving them the support they require. However, maintaining equality by ensuring that services are accessible to all and dissecting the differences in offering services across different populations remains a challenge. This means that the evolution of social policies has to go on to effectively deal with the challenges present so that a permanent solution can be found for individuals with disabilities and their families. `
References
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Bahador, R. S., Farokhzadian, J., Rafiee Sarbijan Nasab, F., & Abbasi, M. (2023). Experiences of family caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities from rural areas in southeastern Iran: A qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05077-0
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