A Case Study on the Utilization of Community Resources by Parents of Children with Disabilities: Focusing on the Northern Part of Seoul

Abstract

This study the presents survey results of a families living with children with disabilities in northern Seoul (Nowon-gu and Dobong-gu) that provides various educational services. This study investigates the current usage and needs of community resources for children with disabilities by the families in the inclusive and segregated care as well as education centers to provide information for the effective implementation of the current system. A total of 109 surveys were distributed and 62 (57%) were returned. 44 families in the 14 inclusive care and education centers as well as 18 families in the 2 segregated care and education centers participated in this study. They were asked to report on access to community resources that include compulsory education, family support, medical treatment, counseling services, commuting support, ways to gain necessary information, current use, and further needs for community resources for their children. Research results indicated that families in two different types of child care centers needed differentiated community services. Parents who use a segregated child care center demanded physical accessibility and increased numbers of highly qualified teachers; however, parents who use the inclusive child care center require the unified information system for the community resources. Survey findings are discussed related to differences between the two types of child care centers. Implications for sharing comprehensive information through child care teachers and directors of child care centers and future research are also discussed.