Special needs programs that cater to specific communities
By sylviekitty
@sylviekitty (2083)
United States
February 24, 2007 7:44am CST
First, I suppose I should preface this by saying that I'm from a mixed background, so I have nothing against the community that is mentioned in this discussion. Secondly, I'm merely posing "food for thought" here, so my point is, I hope that this discussion doesn't end up offending anybody.
There is a particular non-profit which helps those in the African-American portion of the "special needs" population. (Most specifically those dealing with Autism). Their website is great, and their cause is great. No arguing that! When you visit the site, you first assume it is for anybody who has special needs, or who might be dealing with a person with special needs. (Indeed, the information on the website in question is generally helpful to ALL people). But upon looking at the statistics for Autism, much of the stats/faqs are presented in terms of what is true just in the African-American community.
There are certain health issues that those in the African-American community more commonly face, such as Sickle Cell Anemia. It would make a great deal of sense to find that an organization for SCA awareness would gear its information towards them. However, when we're talking about something which is becoming prevalent to those of all ethnicities (we're talking AT LEAST 1 in every 150 children here!), do you feel that it is appropriate for organizations re: "special needs", Autism, or any other "mainstream" diseases/disorders/disabilities, to cater specifically to one community? Especially when (with regard to Autism, for example) the information is so hard to come by anyway? There's so much to be learned by people of ALL races- It's information we ALL need.
What do you think? I'm not saying this is "wrong" of them, but let's say you were to visit a website that initially seemed "open" to everybody. You then found that many of the facts did not pertain to you because of your race. Would that turn you off? Or would you not mind, and move on to the next site that did pertain to you?
4 people like this
6 responses
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
24 Feb 07
In my opinion, they should not discriminate with race, but yet maybe that is how they manage how many requests they get. It is great that they are trying to help people, so instead of really putting them down, I would probably just go on, even though I don't think it is the right way of doing things. It is bad enough to have have to find someone to help you when you have a child with a disability, and would be horrible to be turned down due to race. I have a child with CP and his things cost so much, sometimes we have to look for other funding, and I totally hate asking other people to help us.
1 person likes this
@sylviekitty (2083)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Well, to be fair to the site in question, they don't offer any type of financial support or anything like that- they offer facts, phone numbers for assistance, etc. When it comes to offering specific information for who to call next after a diagnosis, for example, I don't believe any of those organizations are "ethnicity specific".
They're not turning anybody away, but much of their information is for those who are (as they put it) "under-served" (something which is not stated on the home page- only elsewhere in their site)- as far as they are concerned, this the African American population.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
25 Feb 07
well if im looking for a particular things such us autism and the like i will turn to another site..coz i dont think i could learn from the first since it does not cater to what i want to know...maybe later i will go back if im satisfied with the other site and try looking for jsut unspecific topic or issues i might be interested in
@rainbow (6761)
•
24 Feb 07
I think the problem is that thay are trying to cover all eventualities which may mean that some parts are not relevant to some people. I'm sure there is still a lot of good information on there and would just skip over the bits that I am lucky not to be affected by, although if I had a friend with those circumstances I may still read some of it.
It is difficult to give everyone the help they need and if something really has become centered on something different than what I wanted I would try to find somewhere more appropiate for my needs.
Good luck, finding the help and support you would like.
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
•
24 Feb 07
I honestly do not see the point of segregating this when it effects everyone no matter what their race.
What happens though is certain funding will only be given if it represents a certain race or need. The same happens in the UK. What this does though is further segregate people instead of achieving what the government and Local Authorities want, "A multi-cultural Society".
However, we still have to fit into our box and stay there if we want money to help us.
I remember when my son brought home a leaflet for helping underachieving students in his school. I thought this was a good idea, but when I read it it was only for children of Afro-Carribean heritage. This I found absurd as white working class, Pakistani, Turkish children are failing at his school as well.
Its all down to politics, stupid councillors and funding that has segregated people in this country more and more. Very rarely do we have a group where everyone goes and socialises about each other. This is the way forward and all this segregated funding should stop.
Good discussion.
1 person likes this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
24 Feb 07
I think that it is great to have a non-profit website that helps in regards to Autism, whether it be for African American or other people as those with any health problems need to help of others. They should not be contributing to only one community at all, and you are right there is so much to be learnt of all different races especially today, as there are so many mix races, and is very important for all concerned.
1 person likes this
@bananamanuk (835)
•
24 Feb 07
You make an interesting point. Yes there are conditions that affect everyone and therefore you may expect to see the advice and support catering for everyone regardless of race. However, I've got absolutely no problem with this kind of a website. if the website is for a publicly funded group/organisation then I think they have a duty to cater for as many people as possible. However, if the group was set up by a family or such like then I think they are free to cater for whomever they like. Just because a condition affects everyone doesn't mean that small groups should n't be able to form and inform people from a particular cross section of the community in this case race.
It is true that just because a condition affects a whole population regardless of race etc, does not mean to say that the condition affects everyone in the same way. Different socio-econonomic backgrounds can make it hard for some groups to obtain the same information as those people from another backdrop. Sometimes people from communities may find it easier to share experiences with one another. That is not to say they should exclude or be excluded from the wider picture, but I have no problem with groups catering for one another providing the goal is the common good of all.
