“Making disability information accessible to individuals from Black & Minority Ethnic groups”
A review of current findings and thinking
June 2008
SID (Social Information on Disability)
as part of an
EHRC (Equality & Human Rights Commission) funded project
Executive Summary
This research forms the preliminary work undertaken as part of an EHRC funded project looking at the dual disadvantage in accessing disability information often experienced by disabled people from BME (Black & Minority Ethnic) communities in Surrey.
The demographic figures used are based on the 2001 Census. Whilst we recognise that these statistics have a limited value now, especially in view of population migration and the increase of immigrants to the UK, we have used them to estimate the current South East population and that of the county of Surrey. We have also used the ONS (Office for National Statistics) Resident Population Estimates by Ethnic Group, All Persons 2005 to assess the trends throughout Surrey, the South East and the UK.
Outcomes Sought
Eleven specific groups (including their carers) have been researched to identify the current issues faced in accessing the appropriate information they need in order to make choices about the way they live their lives. From these eleven, five focus groups have been identified with whom we plan to complete the second phase of our work to meet the aims of the project – to improve access to information in Surrey for the disabled BME population.
Research Findings
The groups researched are as follows:-
- Rural communities
- Travellers & gypsies – (Surrey has the 4th highest population in the UK)
- Older people
- Disabled children & their families
- Carers
- Deaf people
- People with a visual impairment
- People with a learning disability & their carers
- Children & adults with autism
- People with mental health difficulties
- Refugees & asylum seekers
- Health issues for BME communities
With all of the above, recent published research papers have been identified and examined. They highlight the many and varied historical and cultural barriers faced by both the providers of support and the intended recipients. In addition we have noted the limitations and often unsuitable use of prescribed language and communication methodologies. These factors have been and will continue to be an important guide in determining the choice of communications SID makes to the groups chosen to complete this project.
In some groups, it was found that BME people experience the problem of racism in addition to the problems faced by disabled people. In others, the extent of unmet need was far greater among minority ethnic groups compared with white families. Misunderstandings also occur because of misinterpretation of dialect, lack of knowledge relating to religion and culture and the assumption of inter – family dependency.
With all groups there was a clear need to differentiate and tailor the approach to developing information & support because their needs are so specialised. Due to the one year timeframe within which this project must be completed and the desired outcomes, the following five groups have therefore been identified as those with whom we anticipate being able to take the project forward and achieve our aims (see Appendix 2).
The five focus groups:-
Visual Impairment – Refugees & Asylum Seekers – Older people re benefit take up (Muslims in Woking & Chinese in Epsom) – Travellers & Gypsies
Conclusions
During the review of all of the above mentioned published research, we have found a wealth of information on the potential barriers to accessing both information and services but little “best practice”.
To enable SID to develop new, practical and user friendly resources, we will collate
examples of existing information routes and methods used across the
UK. We will also run workshops with client groups in partnership with
their supporting organisations to identify key information needs, specific
barriers to accessing services, preferred formats and channels. We then
plan to launch a specialist information database and produce new literature
designed to meet the above needs that may be accessed by both supporting
organisations and disabled BME individuals.
A database will also be set up with training for ten key BME organisations together with leaflets and posters publicising the newly developed resources with links to and from the appropriate websites. SID’s strategy will include the ongoing maintenance of the database and resources.
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For further information contact Karen Thurston via our contact page.