Disability, ethnicity and childhood: a critical review of research

Whilst there is an increasing body of literature on the perspectives of car ers of disabled children, there is little research giving the disabled chil d's perspective from either majority or minority populations. Indeed, the v oices of black and Asian children in disability research have been almost s ilent. This literature review collates and analyses existing knowledge abou t the perceptions held by disabled and non-disabled children, and young peo ple from black and Asian families concerning issues of disability and impai rment. The Disability Movement has long proclaimed its belief in the full p articipation and self-representation of all disabled people. However, despi te this laudable objective, the Disability Movement in Britain has mirrored society in general and for the most part been led by white, middle-class, heterosexual, articulate males. This review discusses the simultaneous oppr ession faced by black and Asian disabled children, and concludes that their experience is unique and different from that of white disabled children. A ccordingly, it emphasises the need for further research about the subjectiv e experience of black and Asian disabled children in order to meet their pa rticular needs.