Restrictive practices on refugees in Australia with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours: a family’s story
| Pages | 222-232 |
| Published date | 04 July 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-02-2016-0004 |
| Date | 04 July 2016 |
| Author | Julie King,Niki Edwards,Ignacio Correa-Velez,Rosalyn Darracott,Maureen Fordyce |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Restrictive practices on refugees in
Australia with intellectual disability and
challenging behaviours: a family’s story
Julie King, Niki Edwards, Ignacio Correa-Velez, Rosalyn Darracott and Maureen Fordyce
Julie King, Niki Edwards,
Ignacio Correa-Velez and
Rosalyn Darracott are all based
at the School of Public Health
and Social Work, Queensland
University of Technology,
Brisbane, Australia.
Maureen Fordyce is based at
the AMPARO Advocacy Inc.,
Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of a refugee family navigating complex
disability and restrictive practice service systems. Living with disability, or caring for someone with disability
can compound the disadvantage and marginalisation already experienced by refugees. The nexus between
disability and refugee status, particularly intellectual disability and restrictive practices, has received little
scholarly attention and almost nothing is known of people’s experiences in this situation.
Design/methodology/approach –Thematic analysis of a case study is used to illustrate the experiences of
a refugee family in this situation. The case study presented was part of a larger ethnographic study exploring
the experiences of people of refugee background living with disability.
Findings –There were numerous barriers to accessing appropriate services. The family experienced high
levels of stress simultaneously navigating the resettlement process and the disability service system. They
were poorly informed and disempowered regarding the care of their loved one and the use of restrictive
practices. Experiences in the country of origin, employment responsibilities, and unfamiliarity with the service
system were key factors in this family’s difficulty in safeguarding the rights of their family member
with disability.
Originality/value –This case study examines the complexity experienced when disability intersects with
refugee background. Areas for additional research and significant gaps in service provision are identified. The
case study clearly demonstrates the importance of understanding people’s pre- and post-settlement
experiences to inform policy and service provision.
Keywords Intellectual disability, Refugees, Family, Barriers, Trauma, Restrictive practices
Paper type Case study
Introduction
It is estimated that 7-10 per cent of refugees (Mirza, 2012) have some form of disability.
In 2014 there were 19.5 million refugees worldwide (United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, 2014). Whilst the exact percentage who live with disability in Australia is unknown,
it is thought to be high; as has been demonstrated in studies undertaken in other countries of
resettlement such as the USA (Huang et al., 2011; Yang et al., 2012). The diversity amongst
people from refugee backgrounds makes it challenging to identify common experiences of
disability, although research has identified they may be exposed to stigma, discrimination,
and marginalisation in their country of origin (Albrecht et al.,2009).Similarly,peoplewith
intellectual disability in Australia and their family members often experience exclusion,
marginalisation, stigma, and prejudice (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009). Soldatic et al.
(2015, p. 509) argue that it is well established that people of non-English speaking
background experience institutionalised racism from disability service providers. Concomitant
Received 15 February 2016
Revised 1 July 2016
Accepted 28 July 2016
The authors would like to thank
Amparo Advocacy Inc. for their
assistance with this research
project.
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VOL. 10 NO. 4 2016, pp.222-232, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 DOI 10.1108/AMHID-02-2016-0004
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