First Nations people with disabilities, an analysis of service delivery in Manitoba

Abstract

Equal access and participation issues are at the forefront of the current disability advocacy movement. People with disabilities in the international community are demanding a change in attitude and policies which affect their inherent right as citizens to full participation in society. The inequalities in access to services experienced by Aboriginal persons with disabilities in Canada are magnified by the unique socioeconomic, political, environmental and cultural barriers. The existing infrastructure has often resulted in an ineffective, unaccountable and occasionally inappropriate web of service delivery for Aboriginal persons with special needs. This document reviews the current structure of service delivery to First Nations people with disabilities, particularly those living in remote areas of Manitoba. A description and critical examination of rehabilitation services, home care services, housing issues, community access, and mobility devices emphasizes the disparities in access to services faced by First Nations people with disabilities. Qualitative data obtained through ethnographic case studies provides a First Nation consumer perspective of current services. Key informant interviews with health care planners and providers offer inside perspectives of the system itself. Summary recommendations are provided. It is crucial that health care providers grasp the complexities surrounding Aboriginal health care if services are to be delivered in a cross-culturally sensitive fashion. Recognition of these issues is equally important for those involved in current negotiations surrounding Aboriginal self-government and health transfer agreements. A more coordinated and sensitive model of service delivery to Manitoba's First Nations people with disabilities is essential if the equalization of opportunities is to be realized.