The support needs of mothers and caregivers of children with disabilities in a rural context: A critical ethnography
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Date
2023
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Disability affects many worldwide. While the person with a disability is known to face many challenges, disability also affects the family, friends, and by extension the greater community. Persons with disabilities are known to face marginalisation, and those living in rural areas, where resources are fewer and support is further, are significantly less supported than those living in urban areas. This indicates that children with disabilities, and by extension their caregivers, may not receive the support that they need to allow for full participation in communities. This study was guided by critical social theory and aimed to explore the support needs of mothers/caregivers of children with disabilities in the rural setting of Middledrift in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore how mothers of children with disabilities in a rural community are supported in their parenting role; to critically analyse the factors that shape the support needs of mothers of children with disabilities in a rural community in South Africa and to develop an action plan with mothers and caregivers of children with disabilities that will aim to promote support and disability inclusion in the community. The qualitative research study was conducted within the transformative research paradigm. The research design utilised was critical ethnography. Four themes emerged from the findings depicting the experiences and support needs of caregivers.
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Keywords
Persons with disabilities (PWD), Rural (setting), Support needs, Caregivers, Child/Children with disabilities