Affiliations: National Center for the Study of Postsecondary
Educational Supports and National Technical Assistance Center for Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities at Center on Disability
Studies/UCE, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA. Tel.: +1 808
956 9199; Fax: +1 808 956 5713; E-mail: stodden@hawaii.edu
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Robert Stodden, University of
Hawai'i at Manoa, 1776 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. Tel.: +1 808
956 9199; Fax: +1 808 956 5713; E-mail: stodden@hawaii.edu
Abstract: This review examines the impact of culturally and linguistically
diverse (CLD) persons of disability status upon the work of researchers,
rehabilitation service providers, and postsecondary education instructors and
support personnel. The increasingly disproportionate distribution of CLD
persons with disabilities, and the inequitable treatment CLD people experience
in receiving services, continues to challenge the disability research field,
vocational rehabilitation system, and postsecondary institutions. Disability
researchers, practitioners, instructors, and support personnel have not
adequately understood the unique issues related to disability in CLD
communities and, as a result, have failed in their relationship with CLD
persons with disabilities. This review examines the barriers to this
relationship which fall into three categories: (a) lack of cultural sensitivity
and knowledge regarding CLD persons with disabilities; (b) failure to account
for environmental determinants of disability, including natural, social,
cultural, and built environments; and (c) inadequacy of current research
methodology and approaches by service systems and postsecondary education as
applied to CLD populations with disabilities. Recommendations to better relate
to the needs of persons with disability in CLD communities are provided.
Keywords: cultural competence, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) persons with
disabilities, literature review, postsecondary outcomes, researcher sensitivity
