Funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research (CCBMDR), in collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) of the Illinois Human Services Department and Asian-serving agencies, proposes to launch a 18-month capacity-building outreach project. This new initiative attempts to develop and test a strategy for increasing vocational rehabilitation agencies’ capacity to reach out to Asian American with disabilities, to ensure they will receive services from DRS in the city of Chicago.http://disabilityempowerment.org/Asianproject.html
Our goal is to save your civil rights and to stop the oppressors of the rights of people with unique abilities.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
The prejudice towards Asians with disabilities
I read with interest Andrew Buncombe's article regarding the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in Bangladesh (6 January). I am a British-born Asian and have been insulin-dependent for most of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how prejudiced Asian people are towards any condition which they feel should be swept under the carpet, and not discussed lest it may impinge on the prospect, in the case of women, of child-bearing.http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-the-prejudice-towards-asians-with-disabilities-1301584.html
AAPCHO is dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that improves the health status and access of AA&NHOPIs within the United States, its territories, and freely associated states, primarily through our member CHCs.
AAPCHO is a national association of community health organizations serving Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders
AAPCHO is a national association of 29 community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Americans, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Join us as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary with the Cultivating Traditions of Wellness 2012: Advancing Community Leadership Conference and Gala on March 19-20, 2012 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, in Washington D.C. For more information, go to our event website at: www.ctow.aapcho.org.http://www.aapcho.org/
The Asian People's Disability Alliance (APDA)
APDA's aim is to provide a full range of the highest level of services to disabled people, their families and their carers, based on their specific personal, cultural and community needs.It works in the UK and Internationally. Set up in 1988, it is led and managed by Asian People with disabilities. APDA also has Special Consultative Status with the UN's Economic and Social Council.
APDA's aim is to provide a full range of the highest level of services to disabled people, their families and their carers, based on their specific personal, cultural and community needs.It works in the UK and Internationally. Set up in 1988, it is led and managed by Asian People with disabilities. APDA also has Special Consultative Status with the UN's Economic and Social Council.http://www.apda.org.uk/
How is work limitation associated with race and ethnicity?
The NHIS collects information on race and ethnicity. In the working-age population 18 to 69, Native Americans report the highest percentage of limitation in work due to chronic conditions -- 17.3% or 262,000 people. Blacks (non-Hispanics) also have a high rate of limitation -- 14.4% or 2.7 million people. Asian Americans reported the lowest levels of limitation -- 5.7% or 311,000 persons. While white non-Hispanics reported work limitations of 11.6% or 14,261,000 people, white Hispanics reported 9.6% or 996,000 people and black Hispanics reported 15.7% or 60,000. These varying rates may be related to cultural and geographical as well as demographic distinctions.http://www.infouse.com/disabilitydata/workdisability/3_5.php
Addressing Disparities for Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabi
Asian Pacific Islander (APIs) Americans generally enjoy a higher employment rate, household
and family income levels than other ethnic minorities. But when disabilities is considered, APIs
with disabilities have a much lower employment rate (27.4%) than African Americans with
disabilities (31.7%) or Hispanics with disabilities (38.2%). Overcoming this disparity is difficult.
APIs with disabilities constitute a hard-to-reach population because of cultural stigma and
language barriers. Such barriers lead to sequestering of disabled API family members at home,
and reluctance to seek rehabilitation serviceshttp://www.apidisabilities.org/docs/NIHabstract-HTA.pdf
Growing up Asian American with a Disability
Disability is still a taboo topic within many parts of Asian cultures. People with disabilities are often seen as outcasts of society and worthless citizens. In many modern-day Asian countries, the disabled are still regarded as incapable of becoming educated, functioning members of society. Therefore, they are often forgotten and fall beneath the cracks. This old school of superstitious thought teaches that disability is some sort of punishment, and promotes the idea that being different is always a horrible thing.http://www.colorado.edu/journals/standards/V7N1/FIRSTPERSON/tsao.html
Friday, 24 February 2012
Rehabilitation inequity
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Data comparing disabled black and white Americans from one state revealed that a disproportionate number of blacks received inadequate services or were not accepted for service after applying. Among applicants accepted, more black cases were closed without rehabilitation, and among those with successful placements, blacks were more likely to receive lower income. (JPS)http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ525637&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ525637
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Thursday, 23 February 2012
Views of young Blacks with disabilities
This study is based on interviews with 44 young people of Asian, African and Caribbean origin, with a range of disabilities. It looks at how they manage the ‘change’ to adulthood and what independence and independent living mean to them. Between ambition and achievement outlines the young people’s views of different issues that influenced their understanding and experiences of independence and independent living.
The areas addressed include:
- definitions of independence; how race, culture and religion affect the understanding of disability and independence;
- how experiences of education and work influence independence;
- dealings with social care agencies; and an insight into the ambitions and expectations the young people have for the future.
By including the actual voices of young black disabled people themselves, this report provides first-hand information for those wishing to understand more fully the complexities that this group faces. It also looks at making community support more effective and provides suggestions for better practice. SUMMARY
Independence is generally seen as a positive step for young people, leading to them becoming self-reliant and less dependent on others. Yet this may not be the same for young disabled people. This study is based on interviews with 44 young disabled people of Asian, African and Caribbean origin. It looks at their experience of independence and the influences on them leading active independent lives.
- The young black disabled people interviewed defined independence as having choice and control in their lives. However, family and cultural expectations sometimes determined how this choice was expressed.
- By being independent the young people felt they influenced what other people thought of them and what they could achieve as black disabled people.
- Whilst there was an association between independent living and living on your own, the young people felt how you lived your life and making decisions was as important as where you lived.
- The majority had negative experiences of primary and secondary education and how it had prepared them for adult life. Many young people felt that this was due to professionals' expectations of them being low because of their race, culture and disability.
- Many felt their education concentrated on physical rather than academic needs, so they did not achieve much. Those who did go on to further education had more positive experiences.
- The majority of these young black disabled people had specific goals they wanted to achieve and were actively working towards them. Some felt their growing sense of independence was a determining factor in achieving these goals.
- Few young people had contact with social care agencies, most relied on their family for care and support.
- Loneliness was an issue for most of these young people, particularly for those who were living alone.
Race Matters: Disparities in African-American Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, has become one of the most
commonly diagnosed childhood behavioral disorders. African American children,
specifically, have been found to be less likely to be treated for ADHD even after
receiving a diagnosis when compared to their Caucasian counterparts.
In contrast to the plethora of research on ADHD in Caucasian children, there is
limited information about ADHD among African American children. To further explore
this inadequacy, Samuel et al. (1998) interviewed 19 African American children with
DSM-III-R ADHD and 24 African American children without ADHD. Interviewers
conducted a psychiatric assessment of the participants using the Schedule for Affective
Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children—Epidemiologic Version (5), as
well as material based on the DSM-III-R. Compared with children who did not have
ADHD, African American children with ADHD had higher levels of psychiatric
disorders other than ADHD (e.g. disruptive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders,
substance disorders). The findings of this study were compared with an earlier study of
Caucasian children with ADHD. The comorbidity of ADHD with other disruptive
behavior disorders has been associated with poor prognosis, delinquency, and substance
abuse in Caucasian children. These preliminary findings suggest that the currently
accepted definition of ADHD identifies a disorder with similar—but not identical—
psychiatric correlates to those previously identified in Caucasians (Samuel et al., 1998).
The results of this study should be interpreted with caution, as the number of participants
was relatively small and it was difficult to detect group differences. We can infer that as
compared to Caucasian children, the comorbidity of ADHD in African American children
may have an association with poor prognosis and insufficient treatment. Several other
epidemiological studies have shown that African American children with ADHD and/or
psychiatric disorders remain untreated.
Black disabled people remain an isolated and oppressed
As a consequence of so many negative factors Black disabled people remain an isolated and oppressed minority, under-represented in all areas of society - even those where one would assume that they would find natural allies, such as in the disability movement. However, as the wider disability movement becomes more progressive, black disabled people have not yet become an integral and important part of that movement.
So where do black disabled people fit in? Issues around race and racism quickly engender support and understanding of within black communities but there is no understanding of disability issues. Within the disabled community, there is solidarity and common ground on the disability front, but little comprehension of the impact on one's life of the effects of racial discrimination.
Finding little or no support from any quarter, the realisation is slowly dawning for black disabled people that they must create positive images for themselves and write their own agendas. They cannot rely on black people to do it for them. They cannot rely on disabled people to do it for them. Until such time as others stop 'crippling' the lives of black disabled people with judgements and characteristics which are well beyond the control of the individual, society will continue to squander and waste a valuable and unique resource.
Images, Myths, Stereotypes
Images, Myths, Stereotypes
There are very few positive and public images of white disabled people and even less of black disabled people. Everywhere, the image is given and the myth perpetuated that disabled people are poor, pathetic, helpless victims of charity handouts; of subnormal intellect and substandard education who need to be treated in 'special' ways. Add to this the often feared and complex issue of race and racism then what we have in the black disabled person is a virtual non-entity. An individual stripped of any real identity; an individual unable to find total acceptance within the black community because of their disability; isolated from the white disabled community because of their race; and rejected and oppressed by a wider community because of a combination of the two.
Eurocentric Service Provision
Eurocentric Service Provision
Yet another reason often cited by black disabled people for their oppression is that of the eurocentricity of service provision. However, managed and defused, race and racism is still at the core of British society. Consequently, service provision for disabled people, is usually carried out by eurocentric criteria with an anti-racist perspective as opposed to a multi-cultural perspective.
Multiple Discrimination
Multiple Discrimination
Of the numerous reasons why black disabled people are so very oppressed, the one which is most frequently emphasised and highlighted is precisely this factor of double or multiple discrimination. Most disabled people experience some form of discrimination almost every day of their lives usually as a result of attitudinal, architectural and communication barriers. However, the problems common to all disabled people, are for black disabled people, compounded by the general problem of direct racial discrimination in crucial areas such as employment, housing and education.
Oppression
Such grinding oppression of black people has given rise to the situation wherein they have collectively internalised all of the negative images and stereotypes of race and disability that others hold. In turn, they have come to blame themselves for the bad experiences they suffer because of their race and their disabilities. There is little appreciation of the fact that the problems faced by black disabled people do not stem from any intrinsic or inherent physical or mental limitations on their part. The fact of the matter is that, to a very great extent, it is the attitudes of able-bodied people from within their own ethnic communities, from the wider community and even from within the predominantly white disabled community, which restricts and dis-enables them.
The history of this multi-faceted segregation and exclusion of black disabled people makes it all the more difficult for them to even begin the process of integration.
Minority within a minority
Historically, disabled people in general, and black disabled people1 in particular, have been subjected to systematic and purposeful unequal treatment, victimisation and discrimination, and been relegated to a position of political powerlessness and disenfranchisement within society2. Thus, despite the fact that there are approximately 6.2 million disabled people in Britain, they have not, by and large, been a very vociferous or homogeneous group (though there are signs that this has begun to change). Society's oppression of disabled people has consequently created an insular and discreet minority, seemingly powerless to bring about the changes which will empower them. Black disabled people are a minority within that minority, to the point where they are virtually invisible and occupy an inferior status to that of even their white disabled counterparts, who are themselves second-class citizens.
Disability, Culture, and Health Disparities
By Jean Johnson, Martha Guinan, Steven E. Brown, and Valerie Shearer
The federal Healthy People 2010 initiative calls for the elimination of long-standing disparities in health status that exist among segments of the population, including disparities that occur by race or ethnicity (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Health disparities in relation to persons with disabilities have been amply documented, as have disparities by gender, race or ethnicity, education or income, geographic location, or sexual orientation. However, only limited research has examined the cumulative effect of multiple risk factors for disparities. What happens, for example, when disability intersects with culture? Some studies, while providing qualitative research on quality of life concerns for persons with disabilities, fail to address the effect of cultural differences within the research design. Even a landmark forum by three large federal agencies, seeking to bring visibility to the issues of health and well-being for people with disabilities, failed to address the importance of culture in contributing to health and well-being (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003).http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/181/over4.html
The National Black Disability Coalition
“The National Black Disability Coalition (NBDC) is a response to the need for Blacks with Disabilities in America to organize around issues of mutual concern and use our collective strength to address disability issues with an emphasis on people who live in poverty.”
Their goals are to:
To promote UNITY among Black people with disabilities, their families and communities
To advance EQUITY within the disability movement and communities
To foster OPPORTUNITY for Black people with disabilities
The NBDC believes that Black people with disabilities must unite to obtain and secure the rights and privileges of full participation in their communities. Using strategies from the civil rights movement, NBDC seeks to achieve collective power and inclusion for Black people with disabilities within their families, faith organizations and the greater disability community.
Reverend Calvin Peterson is the Chair for the National Black Disability Coalition. He has been a spiritual and a social activist for people with disabilities living in poverty throughout his professional career. Rev. Peterson is a licensed and ordained minister in the AME church and a lectual at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta Georgia.
In 1970 Rev. Peterson founded Disabled in Action, a nonprofit organization that addresses issues of disparities of people with disabilities living in poverty. Rev. Peterson was the first Black person with a disability appointed to the Atlanta Disabled Task Force and the first Black person with a disability to run for the Public Service Commission in Georgia. He was also appointed to the Georgia Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
List of Famous African-Americans with a Mental Health Disorder
Rapper DMX is Bipolar and suffers greatly as a result.
Mike Tyson has severe depression and a severe sense of worthlessness with other major insecurities. He was also a victim of bullying as a child.
Eunice Kathleen Waymon (Nina Simone) was an exceptional vocalist who had Bipolar Disorder.
Ricky Williams has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated but he also lives with Social Anxiety Disorder.
Lionel Aldridge played tight end for the Green Bay Packers while living with Schizophrenia.
Macy Gray is a pop and soul singer living with Bipolar Disorder.
Beyoncé Knowles is a hip hop singer who suffers with Major Depression.
Bobby Brown has Bipolar Disorder disorder.
Paula Abdul struggled with Bulimia for many, many years.
Naomi Campbell is a world famous model who lives with an Anxiety Disorder.
Terrie Williams is a high profile publicist to the stars who suffered a mental break down and lives with Major Depression.
Thelonious Monk was one of the most brilliant pianists and composers who lived with Schizophrenia.
Joe Budden is a hip hop singer who suffers with Major Depression.
Rapper BizzyBone – Schizoaffective Disorder
Mike Tyson has severe depression and a severe sense of worthlessness with other major insecurities. He was also a victim of bullying as a child.
Eunice Kathleen Waymon (Nina Simone) was an exceptional vocalist who had Bipolar Disorder.
Ricky Williams has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated but he also lives with Social Anxiety Disorder.
Lionel Aldridge played tight end for the Green Bay Packers while living with Schizophrenia.
Macy Gray is a pop and soul singer living with Bipolar Disorder.
Beyoncé Knowles is a hip hop singer who suffers with Major Depression.
Bobby Brown has Bipolar Disorder disorder.
Paula Abdul struggled with Bulimia for many, many years.
Naomi Campbell is a world famous model who lives with an Anxiety Disorder.
Terrie Williams is a high profile publicist to the stars who suffered a mental break down and lives with Major Depression.
Thelonious Monk was one of the most brilliant pianists and composers who lived with Schizophrenia.
Joe Budden is a hip hop singer who suffers with Major Depression.
Rapper BizzyBone – Schizoaffective Disorder
List of Famous African-American’s with Dyslexia List of Famous African-American’s with DyslexiaList of Famous African-American’s with Dyslexia
Danny Glover (also epilepsy)
Magic Johnson
Harry Belafonte
Whoopi Goldberg
Harry Belafonte
Whoopi Goldberg
Black disabled activist Johnnie Lacy
Black disabled activist Johnnie Lacy, in a 1998 interview for UC Berkeley's oral history archive, recounted several decades of experience trying to negotiate her minority identities. As early as 1960, Lacy was exquisitely conscious of the freedom that even those who might oppose race and sex discrimination felt they could exert in oppressing people with disabilities. She recalls the San Francisco State University professor who successfully organized a movement to stop her from studying in his department because he saw no place in his profession for wheelchair-users: ". . . my final and departing shot to him was that if I were just a woman, he could not do this to me; if I were only a person of color, he would not be able to do this to me; and . . . the only reason that—the only way that you [are] able to take this unfair advantage is because I have a disability."
Although the analogy between racist and ableist discrimination is evident in Lacy's protest, she did not see that analogy being widely understood. At the time, and well into the early Seventies, her interaction with her fellow Black activists led her to believe that the Black community shared the larger society's prejudices against the disabled: "I believe that African Americans see disability in the same way that everybody else sees it—[perceiving people with disabilities as] worthless, mindless—without realizing that this is the same attitude held by others toward African Americans. This belief in effect cancels out the black identity they share with a disabled black person, both socially and culturally, because the disability experience is not viewed in the same context as if one were only black, and not disabled. Because of this myopic view, I as a black disabled person could not share in the intellectual dialogue viewed as exclusive to black folk. In other words, I could be one or the other but not both." Although the Black community acknowledged the existence of disability, Lacy felt that it did not recognize the possibility of people with disabilities having a group identity. "I also discovered . . . that many African-Americans consider being black as having a disability, and so they didn't really identify with disability as a disability but just as one other kind of inequity that black people had to deal with.
As an activist in the new movement, working at Berkeley's Center for Independent Living and similar institutions, Lacy found herself on the other side of the divide: instead of feeling frustrated with the Black community's limited understanding of disability culture, she became a kind of ethnographic guide to the largely white disability community, trying to educate its members who had no clue as to how to approach the Black community. Although she quickly taught her white colleagues to avoid openly condescending behavior, she had more difficulty with their ignorance of cultural difference: "It's just that they came from backgrounds where . . . they just didn't have that much exposure to people of color, and they truly did not know how to outreach with these folks. They just felt that if you're disabled, that's the only thing, you know, that's important." She struggled to explain how many minority cultures had different attitudes toward community and family than did the independence-minded white professional class, and how those differences were relevant to the Independent Living Movement. Ultimately the movement's minority outreach resources improved with the recruitment of more activists of color who had received and given training in the "504 group."http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/ds/facultyherald2.shtml
80% in third world
Ø Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live
in developing countries, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Largest Minority
Ø Around 10 per cent of the world’s population, or
650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world’s largest
minority.
Friday, 17 February 2012
The Ugly Truth
Blacks and Asians with disabilities are the largest segment of the world disabled population without any political, economic or social power. We are the ignored class.
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