| Author: | Mok, Ka-wai |
| Title: | The role and function of parent resource centre for people with developmental disabilities : the parent perspective |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2003 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Developmentally disabled -- Services for -- China -- Hong Kong Parents of children with disabilities -- Services for -- China -- HongKong |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Pages: | viii, 106 leaves ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Parents of children with developmental disabilities have difficulties in seeking resources and support for handling the variety of challenges they face in providing care for their children with developmental disabilities. Parents' needs have been a concern over the past two decades as they are the key care givers and have the potential to help their children to have a positive experience of growing up. In Hong Kong, the first Parent Resource Centre (PRC) was set up in 1990. Families of persons with disability are the service target of the PRC. Parents are encouraged to participate as they are perceived to be able to play a significant role at the level of planning, providing services and management. Parents can achieve self-help and develop their potential through participating in a PRC. Hence, this study intends to explore the perspective of parents of children with developmental disabilities towards the role and function of a parent resource centre and how these relate to the parents' views on their roles played in the PRC.It aims to offer parents' insights into the future development of PRCs. A convenience sample was selected from three subvented PRCs. All 13 participants, who participated in an in-depth interview, were female.Data analysis mainly concentrated on parents' views on expectations towards the PRC, parents' networking, parents' view on their roles in PRCs.This intends to provide information for enhancing the services and setting the position of the PRC in providing relevant rehabilitation services accordingly to meet parents' needs. This study revealed that parents' expectations of the PRC's role and function depended on their needs at different stages of their child's development. As only a few male parents participated in PRCs, the needs of them were a matter of concern and need to be further explored. Through participation, parents found they were in better position as they could meet new friends in a similar situation.Parents gained information, support and enhanced their capacities in caring for their children with developmental disabilities. The study also found that most of the participants were not willing to play a significant role in the PRC since they could not give more time to contribute towards the centre as they already had stress in caring for their children with developmental disability. As the PRC is a family-centered service, it needs to be concerned about the families of children with developmental disabilities' different needs at different stages. Besides, the PRC is recommended to better liaise with other settings in the community in order to supplement its service. Although the main service users are usually the mothers, other family members should also be encouraged to participate in the PRC so that the PRC's service can reach all the family members as targeted. In order to provide a comprehensive service and meeting the family needs, it is suggested that PRCs should be set up in all districts and be flexible in the opening hours. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b1714744x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.14 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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