Exploring the experiences of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their families: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience multiple barriers, stigmas and discrimination within and outside their families; yet less is understood about their lived experiences. This systematic review explored the experiences of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their families. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies and a qualitative meta-synthesis. We searched six databases including Ovid Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Healthstar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Forty-two articles met our inclusion criteria involving 17 countries and regions over a 22-year period. The findings were synthesized into four themes: (1) individual- and family-level ableism (i.e., stigma, fears, concerns, stress and anxieties, physical abuse, bullying, reduced engagement in community activities); (2) institutional-level ableism (i.e., barriers to accessing and navigating supports, ableist attitudes among service providers, unavailable services); (3) societal-level ableism (i.e., cultural and religious stigma, social rejection, discrimination, environmental and policy barriers); and (4) coping strategies (i.e., self-care activities, supports from family, friends and people with similar conditions, religious beliefs). Our results highlight the ableist experiences that Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers often encounter and the strong need for further supports to address ableism using culturally responsive strategies. Asian children and youth with disabilities encounter multiple forms of ableism at the individual, family and institutional levels.It is important for healthcare providers to customize resources that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the cultural and language backgrounds of the clients they serve.Clinicians and service providers should engage in culturally sensitive training and education to understand the barriers faced by the clients they serve.Clinicians and service providers should continue to advocate for marginalized and equity-deserving groups. Asian children and youth with disabilities encounter multiple forms of ableism at the individual, family and institutional levels. It is important for healthcare providers to customize resources that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the cultural and language backgrounds of the clients they serve. Clinicians and service providers should engage in culturally sensitive training and education to understand the barriers faced by the clients they serve. Clinicians and service providers should continue to advocate for marginalized and equity-deserving groups.</p

Overview of accessible practices, policies and interventions.

Overview of accessible practices, policies and interventions.</p

Types and factors affecting and impact of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers: a systematic review of quantitative studies

Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience multiple barriers and discrimination in education, healthcare, and social settings, which influence their well-being, especially the transition to adulthood. This review aims to explore the types, factors affecting and impact of ableism on Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers. We conducted a systematic review and a narrative synthesis whereby we searched the literature from six international databases, including Healthstar, Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science. Twenty-nine studies were included in the review, and three themes were identified that related to ableism: (1) types and rates of ableism (i.e., stigma, bullying and victimization, and discrimination and inequalities); (2) factors affecting ableism (i.e. sociodemographic factors, familial factors, and societal factors); and (3) impacts of ableism (i.e. mental health, family impacts, and societal impacts). Our review highlights that ableism has various types and can be influenced by multiple factors, influencing social and health outcomes of Asian families with children and youth with disabilities. This review also emphasizes the importance of increasing the public’s awareness regarding disabilities to reduce ableism among Asian families with children with disabilities. Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience bullying and victimization, therefore it is necessary to develop educational materials to raise awareness of disabilities.Healthcare providers should consider developing more educational programs for caregivers to reduce self-stigma and affiliate stigma and promote mental health.  Healthcare service providers should consider creating and implementing more inclusive programs to reduce health disparities and the influence of socio-demographic factors.  Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience bullying and victimization, therefore it is necessary to develop educational materials to raise awareness of disabilities. Healthcare providers should consider developing more educational programs for caregivers to reduce self-stigma and affiliate stigma and promote mental health.   Healthcare service providers should consider creating and implementing more inclusive programs to reduce health disparities and the influence of socio-demographic factors. </p

PRISMA-ScR.

BackgroundAccessible housing is imperative to enabling independent living for many people with disabilities; yet, research consistently shows how people with disabilities often lack appropriate accessible housing and are more likely to experience unaffordable, insecure, and/or poor quality housing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand promising practices, policies and interventions regarding accessible independent housing for people with disabilities.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review that involved searching seven international literature databases that identified 4831 studies, 60 of which met our inclusion criteria.ResultsThe reviewed studies involved 18 countries over a 20-year period. Our review highlighted the following key trends: (1) removing barriers to obtaining accessible housing (e.g., advocacy, builders enhancing housing supply, subsidies and financial incentives); (2) policies influencing accessible housing; (3) interventions to enhance accessible housing (i.e., home modifications, smart homes, mobile applications and other experimental devices); and (4) the impact of accessible independent housing on health and wellbeing.ConclusionsOur findings emphasize the importance of accessible housing for people with disabilities and the urgent need to advance accessible housing options.</div

Search strategy.

BackgroundAccessible housing is imperative to enabling independent living for many people with disabilities; yet, research consistently shows how people with disabilities often lack appropriate accessible housing and are more likely to experience unaffordable, insecure, and/or poor quality housing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand promising practices, policies and interventions regarding accessible independent housing for people with disabilities.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review that involved searching seven international literature databases that identified 4831 studies, 60 of which met our inclusion criteria.ResultsThe reviewed studies involved 18 countries over a 20-year period. Our review highlighted the following key trends: (1) removing barriers to obtaining accessible housing (e.g., advocacy, builders enhancing housing supply, subsidies and financial incentives); (2) policies influencing accessible housing; (3) interventions to enhance accessible housing (i.e., home modifications, smart homes, mobile applications and other experimental devices); and (4) the impact of accessible independent housing on health and wellbeing.ConclusionsOur findings emphasize the importance of accessible housing for people with disabilities and the urgent need to advance accessible housing options.</div

PRISMA flow chart describing the search process and study selection.

PRISMA flow chart describing the search process and study selection.</p