The Meaning of ‘Family’ in a Multicultural Context

This research provides information about disabled people’s experiences of home and family in Aotearoa New Zealand. It provides insight into how disabled people are impacted by culture, disability, health and well-being in family and home contexts. 

How society is structured impacts disabled people's human rights. Social structures such as ableism, disablism, eugenics, and colonialism all impacted participant's rights and experiences of home and family. Disabled people wanted to create families of their choosing and to receive support to parent in a way that matched their culture, values and aspirations. The findings can inform policy and practice related to disability funding and support for home and family.

A group of disabled and disability researchers from the Donald Beasley Institute worked on this research. Some of the researchers identify as disabled, and others have worked with disabled people in research for many years. They come from a range of cultures, ages, gender identities, intersectionalities and backgrounds.