ROMA MOTHERS’ VIEWS ON THE CONCEPT OF DISABILITY: AN INTERCULTURAL APPROACH

Authors

  • Sotiria Papaisidorou MA in Special (Inclusive) Education
  • Evanthia Tsaliki Visiting Research Associate, International Centre for Intercultural Studies, UCL Institute of Education, University of London, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v0i0.1690

Keywords:

minority, inequality, Roma women, disability, intercultural approach, inclusive education

Abstract

The present research sought to explore Roma mothers’ views on the concept of disability and through the trends which emerged it investigated the extent to which they have been influenced by the dominant culture on disability. The research focused on the study of the views of Roma mothers living in a specific region in Greece. One of the characteristics of the minority group in which these Roma mothers belong is their permanent installation in this region for many years. The research was undertaken through the qualitative approach and more specifically with the use of semi-structured interviews with Roma mothers. The main findings of the survey suggest that the influence of the dominant culture on disability upon these mothers is remarkable. Disability is recognized by those as something different from the majority in terms of respect and understanding. However, as the research revealed, they cannot interpret this differentiation, in relation to the education that every mother of the sample has received. At the same time, disability constitutes undoubtedly a link between their race and the dominant group[1], thus the dominant culture. Finally, the combination of Roma minority and disability in the context of intercultural education is projected as a key issue of social inclusion.


[1] For the purposes of this study, the term ‘dominant group’ does not imply the group which exercises power, but the majority and under this sense it is used throughout the whole text.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Sotiria Papaisidorou, MA in Special (Inclusive) Education

    Ms. Sotiria Papaisidorou studied Sciences of Preschool Education and of Educational Design in the University of the Aegean, Greece and continued training on the field of special education attending the Specialization Program (duration of 500 hours), entitled ‘Special Education: Learning Difficulties - Dyslexia, dyscalculia, disorders of Conduct - Hyperactivity, Mental disorders, Autism, Parental Guidance’, organized by the Research Center on Psychophysiology and Education of the University of Athens. She furthered her studies by obtaining a Master’s degree in Special (Inclusive) Education by the European University of Cyprus (2016). She has worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Program: ‘Education of Roma Children’, implemented by the Intercultural Education Centre of the Department of Pedagogy based on the Philosophical School of Athens. Her involvement in this programme contributed both to the choice of the Roma minority as a research sample for her research study within the framework of her master thesis and raising awareness in minority issues, and the development of personal interest in intercultural education and training.

  • Evanthia Tsaliki, Visiting Research Associate, International Centre for Intercultural Studies, UCL Institute of Education, University of London, UK

    Dr Evanthia Tsaliki has got a fifteen-year teaching experience in primary school. She acts as a visiting research associate based on the International Centre of Intercultural education in UCL Institute of Education, University Colleges London. She has made presentations in national and international conferences as well as publications in national and international journal. She has acted as a trainer of newly qualified teachers and her role as a reviewer in national and international conferences as well as in international journal, such as the International Journal of Multicultural Education and ‘Educate’ journal is in due course.

References

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Published

2018-05-29

Issue

Vol 4, No 8 (2018)

Section

Articles

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