PD-1-02-02
COMMUNITY AWARENESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Stanley F. Wainapel, M.D., M.P.H. (Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Med.)
Vision loss is a much-dreaded physical disability which carries with it a myriad of misconceptions and stigmatizing stereotypes which can greatly reduce an individual's access to employment or social environments. Health professionals share society's stereotypes thinking and may respond inappropriately when presented with visually impaired patients. Common misconceptions will be identified in this presentation in order to avoid their perpetuation. Examples of successful rehabilitation and social/vocational reintegration of blind people are highlighted, including the development of organized disability rights activism by the blind themselves.
PD-1-02-03
MULTICULTURAL ISSUES IN THE REHABILITATION SETTING
Lisa Merritt, MD (The Multicultural Health Institute, Sacramento, California, USA)
An effective rehabilitation team must not only be knowledgeable about musculoskeletal and neurological conditions to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation program, but psychosocial issues such as education, vocational history, living environment must also be taken into account in formulating realistic goals with the patient. Patients, and or team members, from different cultural backgrounds must recognize the importance of addressing multicultural issues as part of the rehabilitation process.
Review of demographcis and use of case study examples in this session will demonstrate the impact of cultural issues, such as verbal and nonverbal language, spiritual belief systems, and traditional healing customs. Suggested components of a culturally relevant history intake will be discussed.
