Though this section is limited it is important to acknowledge the vast amount of work being done in other countries that might enhance our own. The purpose of this resource package is to broaden our understanding of resources available and issues related to diversity here in this country but the acknowledgement that we are a part of a much broader world community is essential, and that we can also be receivers and not just bearers of knowledge and technology.
TITLE: Double discrimination: Issues and services for people with learning difficulties from Black and ethnic minority communities.
AUTHOR: Baxter, C., Poonia, K., Ward, L., & Nadirshaw. Z.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 1990
This is an excellent publication which discusses and challenges the
assumptions made in relation to the development of services for
people with labelled as mentally disabled (in Britain the term is
people with learning disabilities). It discusses and provides
examples of how people with disabilities are looked at as first
having a disability and many of the other factors that make up
their lives such as race, ethnicity, gender and religion are
ignored. It discusses how current principles in the field such as
normalization and social integration have ignored the diversity and
challenging white cultural assumptions that underlie much of the
community care policies and programming. The book is very well
laid out going through the first years, pre-school, school-age and
adulthood as well as issues dealing with aging, and offers a
insight as to how issues of racism, discrimination come into play
for minority groups in Britain. In addition there is a section on
Black and ethnic minority staff and one on working towards
antiracist services. An excellent resource.
TITLE: Disabled people in international development
AUTHOR: Driedger, D. (Ed.).
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 1991
This booklet helps to provide an awareness of persons with
disabilities in the process of development as well as organizations
involved in international development. It provides a number of
articles ranging from attitudinal barriers that exist for people
with disabilities, issues related to women and disability, why some
countries reject Western disability advice, and specific grassroots
community projects that have been developed in communities by and
for people with disabilities. It also raises the issue of
disability as a low-intensity conflict, which is used as a strategy
over time to put greater economic burden on families when on-going
war situations occur. The role of the U.S. government in assisting
this process is discussed. This is a very interesting resource
that broadens the readers awareness to a number of issues related
to disability worldwide.
TITLE: International directory of mental retardation resources (3rd ed.)
AUTHOR: Dybwad, R. F.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 1989
This is an excellent guide for those interested a more global view
of what is happening in the field of disabilities in a number of
countries. Part I offers a decription of international
organizations through the United Nations, international non-
governmental and inter-governmental organizations. Part II
presents a least 73 countries listing governmental agencies and
voluntary agencies responsible for services to people with mental
retardationas well brief descriptions of program areas and other
relevant information. A very valuable resource.
TITLE: Disabled village children: A guide for community health workers, rehabilitation workers, and families
AUTHOR: Werner, D.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 1987
This book is the product of a group of health and rehabilitation
workers who worked with people in farming communities of Western
Mexico forming a village run health program. There work was to
assist families and children with disabilities in meeting their
needs based on what was available within their community settings.
It is a product of practical experience of people working together
and though targeted for village workers offers a wealth of hands on
practical ideas for anyone working to build inclusive communities
for people with disabilities.