Roles and Functions of Families in Caring for Children with Multiple Disabilities and the Government Support
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Abstract
This research focused on 1) the roles and functions of families in caring for children with multiple disabilities and 2) government support for such families. The first sample group was 15 families whose children had both physical and intellectual disabilities aged up to 19 years old. The children cannot help themselves and used to receive services from both public or private educational institutions and communities located in Bangkok and Chonburi provinces. The second sample group was five experts in disability issues policy or service providers for the disabled. Both sample groups were chosen by purposive sampling. A semi-structured interview form and group discussions were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The results of the study showed that the roles and functions of families in the past and present are divided into three areas: 1) caring for family members, 2) promoting the development of children with disabilities according to their ages and 3) management of family crises. Government support for families include five issues: 1) the rights of children with disabilities, 2) guidelines for the development of children with disabilities, 3) creating a career and earning money, 4) integration network, and 5) family expectations.
The results of the study are proposed to guide agencies working with the disabled. By the implementation of this finding, these agencies will be able to adopt a disability policy. Apart from fostering a family network of children with disabilities, they are expected to help each other in various dimensions and empower the disabled to have a better quality of life.
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