Showcase (DDEL) -- Spotlight on Parents of Children With Disabilities From an Array of Cultural Backgrounds

Elizabeth Cramer
Moderator
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Miami, FL 
United States
 
Fri, 4/5: 1:00 PM  - 3:00 PM 
Multi-Presentation Session 
Friday, April 5, 2013 
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 
Room: Room 006B 

Abstract

This session will highlight research on the challenges of being a parent of a child with a disability across a variety of cultural backgrounds including Hispanic, African American, Asian American, and Haitian American. Parent perspectives from each group will be portrayed and solutions discussed across cultural groups. 

Primary Topic Area

Cultural and/or Linguistic Diversity

Secondary Topic Area

Parent/Family/School Partnerships

Presentations

African American Mothers of Children With Disabilities and the Research That Ignores Them

Abstract

The cultural traditions and beliefs, access to resources, and other family rooted parameters have a great influence how the family member with a moderate to severe disability is identified and served. In instances where research addresses such factors, the bulk of the work concentrates on the experiences of families from middle to upper class social strata, European descent, and represent the nuclear family unit. Therefore, this session aims to add to the body of research by examining the narratives of African American parents with children identified with a moderate to severe disability. 

Session Leader

Michael Owens, College of Charleston Goose Creek, SC 
United States

Co-Presenter

Charissa Owens, College of Charleston Charleston, SC 
United States

Asian-American Parents' Perspectives About Parent-Professional Relationships in Special Education

Abstract

This session focuses on how Asian-American parents who have children with disabilities perceive their relationships with professionals. Presenters, including an Asian-American counselor, discuss complaints about special education service delivery, unique views based on cultural/religious backgrounds, and lack of attention on Asian Americans. 

Session Leader

Eun Ji, University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 
United States

Co-Presenter

Dae Eun Shin, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Austin, TX 
United States

Factors Influencing the Participation of Latinos in Their Children’s Special Education Process

Abstract

The presenters will share findings from a study examining the factors that influence the participation of first-generation immigrant Latino parents in the special education process of their children with disabilities. Implications for practitioners and recommendations for facilitating participation will be discussed. 

Session Leader

Maria Ruiz, University of New Orleans Gretna, LA 
United States

Co-Presenter

Linda Flynn-Wilson, University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA 
United States

Societal and Emotional Challenges of Hispanic Immigrant Mothers of Children With Disabilities

Abstract

This study explores some of the societal and emotional challenges faced by monolingual immigrant Hispanic mothers in their roles as primary caregivers of a child with disabilities within a voluntary minority and an orthogonal cultural identification theoretical framework. This session will familiarize participants with the complexities of parenting a child with disabilities while being an immigrant so that these can be addressed when services are provided to immigrant families. Implications for service providers are discussed. 

Session Leader

Ximena Suarez-Sousa, Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN 
United States