Download Culture, Migration, Disability, Conflict and Cognitive Dissonance

Disability, Cultural
Diversity in the
Glorious New Age of
the NDIS
Professor Emeritus Edmond Chiu A.M.
University of Melbourne
What is Disability?
• An evolving concept resulting from the interaction
between persons with impairments and the attitudinal
and socio-environmental factors that may impede
their full and effective participation in society on an
equal footing with others. Disability is always in a
social (cultural) context .
• The term “disability” is an umbrella concept that
encompasses impairments, activity restrictions, and
participation restrictions.
United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 2006.
WHO and the World Bank. World Report on Disability 2011.
Culture
• Anthropological – pattern of life within a
community; organised systems of ideas,
knowledge, and beliefs that allow a group to
structure its experiences and choose among
alternatives.
• Biologically - culture has its psychobiological
correlates in the organisation of the mind-brain
with consequent formation of neural networks
that “enculturate” each individual with language,
religion, behaviour and ethical value systems.
Ethnicity
While Culture refers to the behaviour and
value systems, ETHNICITY refer to a group of
people that shares a common culture.
CALD vs NESB
• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity is an all
inclusive term for ALL Australians (English
speaking ‘Anglos’ included).
• Non English Speaking Background refer more
specifically and accurately to those whose first
language is not English and who may not be
adequately fluent in English. They have
secondarily associated differing cultural and
social backgrounds.
History of Recent Migration into
Australia
Pre-WWII
Mostly from UK, a few from Europe.
White Australia Policy excluded non- white
immigration.
Immediate Pre-WWII
Early “refugees” escaping the impending
conflicts in Europe and Nazi
persecution.
More likely to be physically robust but may
be psychologically compromised.
Immediate Post-WWII
Displaced Persons (D.P. or “refos”) who
have survived the War, seeking political and
economic stability and safely. Mostly were
young, “fit”, well motivated and resilient
survivors.
Immediately Post WWII
Some with minor (often hidden) physical
disabilities but all with psychological scars
from WWII.
They worked hard and suffered in silence
to make a better life for their families.
Abolition of the White Australia Policy
More from Asia. Non-discriminatory
(Followed by Family Re-union, bringing
elderly parents.)
Skilled migrants assessed on “points”
Post Vietnam war
In addition to the Vietnamese, other refugees
(Asylum Seekers). To be followed by their other
family members.
Family Reunion –
Arrive in Australia in later life to join their
families in Australia.
Less able to adapt to Australian ways.
Less able to learn English if not already
fluent.
“Deaf, blind and dumb.” More likely to be isolated.
Disabled likely to be excluded, but developed
disability after arrival.
(Note possible change of policy to “Net Benefits”)
Skilled Migrants –
Linguistically fluent.
Well educated and financially established.
Well connected.
knowledgeable and “knows way around
the system”.
Financially and socially independent, but
may be compromised by recent onset
disability.
A Migrant’s Journey through disability
Migration
(culture, history,
expectations,
+/- disability)
Settlement
demands
Successful - lauded
Partly successful –??
Non success - Shame,
guilt, fear, exclusion
Disability after migration
If pre-existing –
External fears – deportation, exclusion from benefits.
If recent onsetInternal – shame
loss of face
what did I do wrong?
Letting the family down
Destroy expectation of better future
Victimhood
Projection – others fault
entitlement as a “defence”
Meaning of disability
How would I APPEAR and relate to –
My nuclear family
My extended family
My ethnic community
The general community
Government /Agencies
ie. What does this mean to me and to them?
Cognitive Dissonance
When our previously established and well held
beliefs, perceptions and behaviours are at
odds (inconsistent) with new and conflicting
beliefs; it creates a sense of unease,
discomfort and internal emotional discord .
The Cognitive Dissonance
The fundamental conflicts leading to C.D
-Own Expectations vs. Reality
-Society’s expectations of successful citizens
-Family expectation of a better life.
-Acceptance of the meaning of disability.
(Organ and social values)
What of your own Cognitive
Dissonance?
• Acknowledge the conflict between your own
history, professional training, value systems
(prejudices) and that of your clients.
• Note any bureaucratic inflexibility which
enhances everyone’s conflicts and CD.
• As you represent the “authority” and the host
country’s power, your “helping” role may be
in conflict with this perception.
The New Age of the NDIS
The National Disability INSURANCE Scheme –
- What is it, really?
- What does it MEAN to the NESB person?
- How does this translate into their lives?
- How acceptable, as a concept and in
practice?
- How “accessible” and available?
- Are the “services” culturally appropriate?
Some Practical Issues for the NESB
population
• Access – “the process whereby a person’s request
for support from Disability Care Australia is
considered”.
• Issues of language, understanding, form filling,
geography.
• Managing and negotiating the bureaucratic maze.
• Psycho-social and cultural impacts of the
“participant” status.
Other conceptual issues –
clarifications needed
• Age exclusion at 65.
• Residency qualifications.
• Disability requirements – Impairment,
permanence, functional capacity
• “support needs better provided/met by other
service systems”.
The Invisible NESB persons with
disability
• How relevant is the Barwon “trial” to the NESB
persons with disability?
• Where is the consideration of the NESB persons
with disability in –
- NDIS documents
- June 2013 Conference in which there was
discussion on the Indigenous, children,
Remote and rural people, women and girls.
But no mention of the NESB persons.
Demography of the Barwon Region
Language Spoken - Other than English
Language
Geelong
South Barwon
West Barwon
Italian
Croatian
Greek
German
Macedonian
Mandarin
Dutch
Serbian
2880
2314
1051
1001
1149
-------------
508
----194
246
----370
---------
76
42
---41
------41
30
Australian Census 2011. Top responses recorded
Not withstanding the introduction of the NDIS
with all its media hype and high expectation,
those working in the front line of care should
continue to work with the NESB persons with
disability with an empathetic and practical
approach, recognising that there are certain
cognitive dissonances requiring attention.
Suggested Strategies for the front-line
• Listen to and understand each migrant’s personal
and culture specific story and expectations.
• Explore the conflictual beliefs , expectations and
the related emotions resulting from their
disability.
• Modulate the values/impacts of these “conflicts”.
• Optimise and support the belief(s) and actions
that would lead to a positive outcome.
• There is no “right” answers. Only what is most
useful at a particular stage of each journey. This
does change over time.
RESILIENCE
• Always remind yourself that the NESB person,
whether fully able or impaired, is tougher and more
resilient than you think.
• They have survived all these years before arrival and
life in Australia. Acknowledge, enhance and utilise
this resilience for their better physical and mental
health!
• Such a resilience can be examplers to others and
future generations to benefit Australia.
• Ensure the much hyped NDIS does not inadvertantly
create a new victimhood as an unintended
consequence.