Social and Economic Challenges of Service Providers to Children with Intellectual Disabilities: the Case of Mekane-Eyesus Center for Mentally Challenged Children

No Thumbnail Available

Date

2015-06

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the countries in which a number of service providers as well as children with intellectual disabilities exist. However, the issue of social and economic challenges of service providers to children with intellectual disabilities remains less researched. Therefore, the present study has examined how the service providers to children with intellectual disabilities were influenced economically and socially while giving and receiving special needs services. Qualitative research method was used along with tools, such as interview, FGD, observation and document review to collect the relevant information. Thematic framework was used to analyze the study. It was conducted in Mekane Eyesus Center for Mentally Challenged Children, in the region of Addis Ababa, in the sub-city of Nifas Silk Lafto, wereda2, with a total of nineteen research participants; and purposive sampling technique was used. The research participants were composed of service providers (social workers, teachers, physiotherapists, and who were working in the Center), and key informants who had a direct experience about the center service providers to children with intellectual disabilities. In this study, the Key informant was the center executive director. Finally, the study recommended the need for salary increment, respecting and supporting the work on children with intellectual disability, strengthening social interaction, and coping strategies , should also be enhanced Key words: children with intellectual disabilities, service providers, social and economic challenges.

Description

Keywords

children with intellectual disabilities, Service providers, Social and Eeconomic Challenges

Citation