The Exclusion of Families of Children with Disabilities: A Case - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Exclusion of Families

• f Children with Disabilities:

A Case Example

Diane Richler Chair, International Disability Alliance

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Convention on the Rights

• f Persons with Disabilities

(CRPD)

“persons with disabilities and their family members should receive the necessary protection and assistance to enable families to contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities”

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

The Situation Today

• 1 billion people have a disability
• Children with disabilities are invisible
• Their families are invisible:

– In policy – In programs – In literature

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Challenges for Families

• f Children with Disabilities
• Negative attitudes and prejudice
• Families considered dysfunctional
• Extra costs of disability ignored
• Lack of supports and services
• Additional ongoing needs of children with

intellectual disabilities

• Family break‐up

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Challenges for Children with Disabilities with their Families

• Abuse
• Overprotection

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Family‐Centred Policies for Children with Disabilities

• The family and not the professional is the

constant in the child’s life;

• The family is in the best position to determine

the needs of the child;

• The child is best helped by also helping the

family;

• Families should be supported to exercise choice

and control about the supports and services for themselves and their child.

(Dempsey and Keen 2008)

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Family‐Centred Policies That Overcome Exclusion

• Cash transfers
• Short breaks for parents
• Supports for working parents
• Capacity building of parents and their
• rganizations
• Tax relief

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Role of Organizations of Families of Children with Disabilities

Empowerment Model

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Role of Organizations of Families of Children with Disabilities

Empowerment Model

Or

Service Model

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned

Role of Organizations of Families of Children with Disabilities

Empowerment Model

Or

Service Model

Or

Partnership Model

Good Practices in Family Policy‐Making: Family Policy Development, Monitoring and Implementation and Lessons Learned