CAFS groups in context - disabilities PDF

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CAFS groups in context - disabilities...

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issues of concern: identifying the needs of specific groups in the community ●

needs specific to marginalised groups: ○ safety and security: ■ refers to physiological need to feel protected, safe from threat ■ covers physical, emotional and financial aspects of wellbeing ○ health: ■ holistic concept; related to a person’s perception of wellbeing ■ five dimensions: physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual ○ education ■ the individual’s need to engage in the action/process of acquiring new knowledge/skills ○ sense of identity ■ the individual’s sense of one's own identity/psychological selfhood ■ influenced by roles in work, family, sport or social life ○ employment ■ needs that are met via the exertion of energy towards the goal of earning a pay, profit, commission or payment ○ adequate standard of living ■ sometimes referred to as the primary needs; required by all people ■ relates to physiological needs being met (food, clothing, shelter, etc.)

category a: people with disabilities

definitions People with a disability include those whose participation in everyday activities, employment or schooling is restricted due to some form of disability, impairment or injury. ●

The Australian Parliamentary Library states that a disability is: "a condition that in some way hampers or hinders a person in terms of their ability to carry out day to day activities."

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The United Nations Convention on the rights of Person with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006, Article 1) states that: "Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others."

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The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 defines disability as: ○ total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions ○ total or partial loss of a part of the body ○ the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness ○ the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body ○ a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction ○ a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment, or that results in disturbed behavior; and includes a disability that: ○ presently exists ○ previously existed but no longer exists ○ may exist in the future ○ is imputed to a person (meaning it is thought or implied that the person has disability but does not).

exploring people with disabilities within the community prevalence within the community ● demographics ○ as of 2018, 4.4 million Australians are living with a disability or disabilities (17.7% of pop.); including: ■ 19% of men ■ 18% women ■ 43% over 55s ■ 2.2 million Australians of working age (15-64) ○ ↑ age = ↑ incidence ○ people with disability are twice as likely to be in the bottom 20% of gross household incomes ● types of disability ○ 83.9% of those with disabilities have a physical disability ○ 11.3% of those with disabilities have a mental/behavioural disability ○ 4.8% of those with disabilities have an intellectual/developmental disability ○ To be deemed a disability, the impairment/condition must impact daily activities, communication and/or mobility, and has lasted/is likely to last 6 months or more. individual diversity amongst people with disabilities ● The concept of diversity means understanding that each person is unique and recognising individual differences. To acknowledge humanitarian diversity and address and explore diverse needs. ○ people with disabilities: ■ can come from any race, gender, culture, education or socioeconomic group ■ can have one or multiple disabilities ■ may be born with disability or acquire one ○ disabilities: ■ can be permanent or temporary ■ range from mild to severe ○ some people with disabilities: ■ complete a university education, ■ are employed, ■ are in relationships, and/or ■ have children ○ some are actively involved in disability rights terminology used to describe people with disabilities ● considered a unique entity because members of this group require some kind of assistance or support in one or more aspects of their life. ○ might not affect how they interact with other people or stop them from participating in social activities, but they will require some form of assistance/support from family, friends or medical specialists, depending on their specific needs ● over the years, attitudes towards people with disabilities have improved ○ people now aware of/recognise needs and community participation in social events and activities ● a range of terminology can be used to describe the community ○ such terminology can be positive or offensive; People with Disability Australia (2014) states that language shapes worldviews and influence community attitudes positively and negatively

issues of concern for people with disabilities satisfaction of needs safety and security ● people with disabilities may be vulnerable because of their disability ○ may be abused by ignorant or insensitive people ○ exploited financially or harmed physically by relatives or nursing home staff ○ may be lonely and have fewer opportunities to interact socially health ●

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people with disabilities have varying levels of health: ○ some experience further deterioration in their condition as part of the ageing process ○ wheelchair users may experience pressure sores, weight gain and cardiac problems due to their limited activity ○ others may suffer from mental health issues, such as depression ○ Paralympians are fitter, stronger and more active than members of the general population regardless of level of health, health care needs to be affordable and accessible ○ every person with a disability requires regular health check-up and may also require a variety of specialist physicians ■ many have HealthCare Cards to assist them to meet these needs ○ problems may arise when the person with a disability cannot communicate (i.e. in cases of stroke, autism or acquired brain injury) ■ may require a supportive advocate to communicate their needs to a health professional. If health needs are not met, quality of life and lifespan are adversely affected.

education ● education is vital for a number of reasons ○ socially, it facilitates interactions with others and the development of relationships ○ if not prioritised, economic status and overall development may not be optimal ● early intervention is a strategy that seeks to optimise development ○ many require early intervention through programs designed to enhance physical, intellectual and living skills ● schools may offer life skills and transitioning to work programs ● education about the nature of the disability is also required, for both the carer and person with the disability ○ carers need to be aware of both the prognosis and strategies needed to help them be as independent as possible sense of identity ● closely linked to self-esteem ● comes from involvement in work, family life and activities ● a person who has acquired a disability may experience great difficulties in establishing a renewed sense of identity employment ● can help individuals to meet their needs of an adequate standard of living and a sense of identity ● many find it difficult to find permanent work due to the nature of their disability, their level of education and the attitudes of employers ○ specialised training and ongoing support may be needed

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specific employment structures exist which are run by support groups, such as House with No steps, whose motto is "Making the most of our abilities" ■ jobs available in various areas; including landscaping, cleaning, administration and farming

adequate standard of living ● SES may be affected due to a lower workforce participation rates ○ may affect food choices ○ Some types of disabilities affect choices in food selection and preparation ■ i.e. some may require specially processed foods if they cannot digest or swallow safely ■ others may not be able to shop or prepare foods independently ● clothing may need to be modified to give more independence ○ i.e. zips and buttons may be replaced with Velcro ● housing needs to be affordable, close to services and suit specific needs ○ may live either with family members or independently in the community ○ depending on the type of disability, group housing may be available through the Department of Housing ○ modifications to the home may be needed priority needs ● health and safety/security are generally considered high priority needs ○ health ■ ill health (either physiological or psychological) impacts on one’s sense of self, levels of motivation and the ability to complete routine activities ■ long term or continued ill health affects employment, hence impacting on economic well-being and relationships ○ safety/security ■ people with disabilities are more vulnerable exploited/subject to abuse ● exploitation/abuse detrimental on the health and wellbeing of individuals ■ safety/security also means that the home environment suits the specific needs of the individual ● individual may be able to achieve independence, thus sense of identity and ↑ wellbeing

access to services ●

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people with disabilities require access to a variety of services that maintain and increase their independence ○ throughout their lifetime, individuals will find it necessary to access services to assist them to meet their specific needs and to support their wellbeing ■ such services include educational intervention, employment support, home care, transport, suitable accommodation and technology the uniqueness and diversity of groups within the community can influence which services are required to meet the specific needs of the group or individuals within the group types of services

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factors affecting access to services all individuals need to access various resources throughout their lives in order to maintain their wellbeing ○ at times, groups with specific needs might require additional resources or might need to access resources more regularly than those who do not have specific needs factors affecting access to resources can include any circumstance or issue that prevents/limits a person or group from accessing services or other resources that they might need ○ such resources might be available to them, but for various reasons they might find it difficult or impossible to access them. not everyone has equal access to services ○ more services are available in urban areas ○ technology has improved access and allow people with disabilities to access information more readily factors affecting access to resources acronym: ■ characteristics of individuals ■ aspects of the service ■ resources

characteristics of individuals ● age ○ at both ends of the lifespan, a person with a disability may be dependent upon a carer or support group for assistance in accessing services such as health care or financial support ○ in some instances, individuals may be difficult to assist, due to immobility and factors related to age and size ■ i.e. a carer may need to consider the increased fragility of an elderly person with a disability. ● gender ○ not considered an important factor for these individuals ■ however, disabilities are more likely in males than in females to result from motor vehicle or occupational injury; as a result more compensation and greater rehabilitation may be available for men ■ Women with Disabilities Australia: women with disabilities experience fewer educational opportunities than men, earn less money, and are more likely to be institutionalised and more vulnerable to violence ■ ageing pop. + longevity of women = a large proportion of disabled are elderly women ● level of education ○ need education to effectively manage their disabilities ○ people with an intellectual disability can learn how to use the internet and a mobile phone ○ access to information can enhance communication ○ receive additional assistance at school/Tafe with specialised teachers and classrooms ● culture ○ cultural differences can be an inhibiting factor for someone accessing services ■ may hold culture-specific beliefs/subject to a language barrier ○ Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, through a variety of aged care and other projects, works to improve accessibility of services for those who are culturally/linguistically diverse background living with a disability ● first language spoken ○ closely related to culture ○ may affect familiarity and knowledge of relevant services ○ confidence to seek support is reduced when there are language barriers

to address this area of need, many agencies/support services offer interpreters, along with written fact sheets in a variety of languages type of disability ○ type and degree of disability has most significant effect on access to services ■ may be short or long term, life threatening or just uncomfortable ■ disability is diverse, and so is the range of support services available ○

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aspects of the service ● opening hours ○ depending on the type of disability, traditional opening hours may not always fit in with their schedule ■ reliance upon assistance with morning toileting, dressing, feeding and taking medication may limit "free" time ■ can be further compounded by an inability to access suitable transport at appropriate times, or an inability to move around crowded streets ■ while many health facilities offer a 24- hour helpline, in times of need, people with disabilities may not be able to access or operate the phone ● confidentiality ○ The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 states that people with disabilities have the right to be treated equitably ○ right to access services without having to disclose unnecessary personal information ■ if information is provided, they have right to confidentiality ○ if not adhered to, it may have a further negative impact on the person if they seek work, or attempt to access education, training, friendship and support networks ■ may impact on the person’s sense of identity and self-esteem ● location ○ people with disabilities who live in urban communities have greater access to resources, such as health services, education, support groups and government departments ○ those living in rural or remote locations may have to travel to gain assistance ● staffing ○ staff members need to be well trained in offering support ■ many people with a disability require assistance with paperwork and meeting government requirements ○ must be enough staff so that clients do not need to wait hours for assistance resources ● people who have a disability can be limited by the lack of resources in relation to accessing available services ○ a variety of services and support structures are available; however, personal resources (time, money, energy, knowledge, etc.) affect access to services ● there are resource factors that affect an individual’s/group’s access to services ○ include time, money, energy and knowledge, particularly knowledge of the service and how to access the service to satisfy needs ● resources may be human or non-human ○ generally such resources are interrelated and together assist individuals to achieve goals ○ in the absence of a significant resource, the likelihood of achieving goals is severely restricted

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personal resources of people with disabilities resource

description

time

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individuals and carers must have the time to be transported to the service ○ usually, transporting someone with a disability is relatively time consuming

money

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may need expensive equipment, so money can be a significant factor ○ for example, a beach wheelchair allows a person to access the surf and sand; however, it is much more expensive than a regular wheelchair, which cannot be used at a beach allowances given to people with disabilities and carers, may not be comparable to the income of full-time employment

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energy

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an individual's energy may vary depending on their age and condition may affect a person’s decision to be involved with employment programs/educational courses

knowledge

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some disabilities mean individuals are unable to communicate ○ some people mistake this lack of communication for a lack of knowledge ○ advancements in technology mean that people with disabilities have even more opportunities to acquire knowledge ■ unfortunately, the specialised computers and learning tools required come at a cost ■ difficulty accessing technology may also make it difficult for people to find out about the services available in their area

limitations to accessing resources (depending on the disability)

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may have limited employment opportunities may have limited sporting opportunities may have limited transport options may need to rely on others for assistance may have limited independence

additional resources available to assist access

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disability support pension accessible parking permit legislation and policies in place to prevent discrimination special provisions in a range of areas for people with disability books available in Braille for the visually impaired subtitles available on television for the hearing-impaired...