A study of approaches within research on problems of access to services for youth and children with functional, cognitive and developmental disabilities from a multicultural perspective

Abstract

This study describes how research approaches the problems of access to services for children and younger people. The aim is to identify approaches to ‘the multicultural question’ in relation to access to service, geographic origins, disciplines and methods. Two main approaches were identified in the review: a culture-based and a rights-based, both equally preoccupied with problems such as the disproportionate representation of minorities. The culture-based approach was influenced by a “strong’ notion of culture and was inclined to target problems of access ‘at the counter’ (service delivery). The rights-based approach was influenced by a notion of culture connected to agency and gave primacy to ‘the gateway’ (recognition of eligibility). The field could benefit from more attention and possibly from further development of a rights-based approach, which implies a notion of culture that entails a connection to agency, a linking to power, participation, and self-representation.