Table 1 - Middle Eastern, South Asian and African cultures

CALD Disability Awareness Resource

eCALD Supplementary Resources

	Middle Eastern and Muslim South Asian cultures (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates, other Arab countries, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan)	South Asian cultures (India, Sri Lanka and other non-Muslim cultures)	Horn of Africa cultures (Sudan, Somali, Ethiopia, Eritrea)	Other cultures
Attitudes in general towards disability	Islamic beliefs have strong influence, with general acceptance of disability within a theological framework. More stigma in smaller communities than larger cities. Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia actively developing support structures. Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia, Bahrain passed laws to protect people with disability. Other cultural beliefs held in conjunction. Disability stigmatised in Afghanistan.	Stigma and marginalisation in smaller and rural communities in countries of origin. Strong stigma for Sri Lankans and Indians. Attitude change for many migrants. Some still conceal disability from extended family in country of origin. Some are more comfortable to take disabled to wider community in NZ, but avoid own community events because of negative attitude.	Strong stigma and discrimination throughout Africa. Muslim communities a combination of religious tolerance and African traditional perceptions. Changing attitudes in cities due to education. Culture influences stronger for some non-Muslims. 'Disability' not a general term; used more for mobility impairments.	In Turkey mothers given blame, also common with Khurds. Families of husband often attribute the blame. Culture influences stronger for some non-Muslims. Evolution of attitude in Kuwait. Some mothers do not see child as limited by condition. (Not reflective of all Kuwaiti attitude). Culture influences stronger for some non-Muslims. Generally in Africa negatively viewed and defined by impairment: 'flawed', 'faulty', 'ceremonial'.
Attitude to different types of disability	Mental health and intellectual impairments more stigmatised. Physical impairments receive more sympathy and support from community in Iraq and Afghanistan. Better acceptance if disability caused by trauma than if congenital. There is a high incidence of disability in Iraq and Afghanistan due to prolonged periods of war. Veterans often seen as heroes and treated better than others with disability.	Mental health, intellectual impairments and epilepsy not recognised as disability and strongly stigmatised. More acceptance if disability caused by trauma than if congenital.	Mental health strongly stigmatised. In Somalia intellectual and speech impairments (conditions 'above the neck') are stigmatised. Conditions due to war trauma are more accepted than congenital. Physical disabilities more stigmatised for nomadic peoples for practical reasons.	Other parts of Africa, view depends on 'flaw'; umbilical cord around neck the child is celebrated; albino or dwarfism very negatively considered; malformed limbs, hare lip etc. child considered 'faulty.' Blindness stigmatised in Uganda.
Beliefs about causes	Punishment Test Gift or Chosen Parents Curse (evil eye or jinn) Catching a disability Blame Biomedical	Punishment Test Gift or Chosen Parents Catching a disability Blame Biomedical Astrology Karma Balance/humours	Punishment Test Gift or Chosen Parents Curse (evil eye or jinn) Catching a disability Hereditary Food (liver, Somalia) Evil spirits (Zar in Somalia) Ancestral spirits Various superstitions about action by mother during pregnancy	Some Kuwaiti mothers saw disability as divine intervention. Other parts of Africa: Evil spirits Actions of mother during pregnancy Some impairments seen as illness Some see mental illness or epilepsy as sign to be traditional healer or seer (central and southern Africa)
Role of family	Family most fundamental social unit. Mother or other female usually caretaker of member with disability. No respite care in Afghanistan or Iraq, family has responsibility, and neighbours and community.	Family most fundamental social unit. Extended family vital for support in India as very few resources. Females more involved in caregiving.	Family most fundamental social unit. Family unit paramount for most Somalis. Disability generally seen as responsibility of family.	Family most fundamental social unit in Kuwait. Also in most African cultures.
Expectations for the person with a disability	Blind people may become musicians, poets and religious leaders. In Afghanistan little prospects as no resources. Often procure living as beggars, particularly if no family. In Pakistan, stigma and view of disability as financial burden reduce prospects. Potential of those with disability not generally recognised.	In rural communities, low expectations. Improving for those in larger cities and with access to education. Higher expectations for males than females, particularly in cultures where dowry is required.	Poor prospects for most. Many people remain concealed. For many revenue source is begging. Education improving perception in larger cities though slow.	Poor prospects for disability in most parts of Africa, with many people relying on begging for income.
Expectations for other members of the family	Female family members expected to assist in caretaking. Prospects for marriageable children and for jobs perceived as jeopardised by some.	Female family members expected to assist in caretaking. Prospects for marriageable children and for jobs perceived as jeopardised by some.	Family members' prospects also jeopardised if disability in the family.	In African families stigma generally not seen to affect prospects of other members. All female members (including children) usually involved in caregiving.
Perceptions of Western medicine	Familiarity with and acceptance of Western medicine in most parts. Afghanis and rural Pakistanis almost no access to services so unfamiliar with NZ health system and disability support. Iraqis and Afghanis sometimes wary of government institutions because of bad experience with government back home.	Acceptance by those with urban backgrounds. Rural people less exposure and so often no familiarity; reliance on traditional healing and treatments.	Familiarity and more acceptance by those with urban backgrounds. Traditional medicine commonly used in conjunction. Somalis often more reticent to access healthcare due to unfamiliarity with it.	Central and Southern Africa accept Western intervention, though traditional remedies often used in conjunction.
Availability of rehabilitative services and support	Wealthier countries leading in providing services. In some others services offered by charities. Limited healthcare available in Afghanistan because of wars. Even fewer services dedicated to disability in spite of high numbers of war and landmine injuries. Limited healthcare in Pakistan. Few special schools in urban Pakistan, very little support in rural areas. Children mostly included in mainstream education without specialised support.	Almost no services in rural communities in India, more in large cities, but very little are governmental.	Medical facilities in general are variable with some services available in the capitals and large cities but otherwise extremely limited. Facilities for rehabilitation and disability support even more scarce, particularly in rural communities in spite of the number of war and landmine injuries. Many people may not have had access to medical care and not be familiar with a formal health system or with rehabilitation and disability support.	Country dependent. Kuwait accepting, and participate in rehabilitation.

Note:

Decisions on how to group the cultures in this table have been challenged by the integral nature of culture and religion. Some countries (like Pakistan) have the religion of one group (Muslims) but they share the cultural traditions of those with a different religion (Hindus in India) making clear categorisations impossible. Other countries like Sri Lanka, although predominantly Hindu, have a small group of Muslims (10%) but with a visible profile and an active community.

The statements in the tables are generalisations and will not represent all people's views or practices from the respective cultures. The variation in information provided for different cultures on different issues has been determined by available research or reliable information at the time of compiling this document. The statements are intended to provide perspective, relative to other cultures, and there is a caution to applying this in a way that results in stereotyping.

It is essential that all families and clients be assessed individually; the cultural information can be used as a context within which practitioners can understand client's needs and approaches when they present with a disability or impairment.