The experience of First Nations people with disabilities and their families in receiving services and supports in First Nations communities in Manitoba : honouring the stories

• Main Author: Shackel, Donald W.
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/8049

First Nations people with disabilities and their families living in First Nations communities are caught in a complex web of government based jurisdictional and departmental wrangling and offloading, directly impacting the lives of many First Nations families and the types of services and supports they receive at the community level. Families and caregivers are disempowered and persons with disabilities have been denied access to supports to enable their full participation and involvement in their communities. Using a story telling approach, the purpose of this qualitative research was to collect stories of the experiences of First Nations people with disabilities and their families. In addition, using a social model of disability and a rights based analysis, this project asked families to reflect upon what services and supports do exist within their communities and then to share about the consequences of the existing conditions for both children and families. Project participants reported that three undesirable options exist for persons with disabilities and their families. These options include; staying in the community, living away from the community and extended supports or involuntarily placing your child in the care of a child welfare agency hoping that services will be provided by the mandated agency of care. In this project, participants also provided recommendations for local, provincial and federal governments for a continuum of community based services and supports in First Nations communities which would make the lives of persons with disabilities and their families more livable.