The paper presents the first phase of the research in the system of foster care and adoptions of children with disabilities or children with special needs in Slovenia: the perspective of social workers (the planned next phases of the research are: research with participation of individuals and families who are foster carers, individuals and families who adopted children with disabilities, and youth and adults with the experience of foster care and adoption). The research, conducted in Social Work Centers in Slovenia disclosed, what are the elements of foster care practice and professional work with foster families, biological families and children with special needs (and whether these are different from approaches and methods applied in work with children who are not labeled 'special needs children'. In the context of disability ethics the author was especially interested in the values and beliefs of professional workers in this field, their understandings and conceptualizations of work in this field (including identifying the gaps and introducing innovations), their possible effort to implement additional services and support, education and guidance, their aims and motivations in working towards permanents placements (adoptions or returns to the biological family), etc. In the paper, the topic of foster care and special needs children is discussed also with the help of international research, insights and relevant literature (by Australian, Canadian, American and English authors).
COBISS.SI-ID: 4247909
The article discusses the features of growing up with disability, the crises and overcoming of these crises, the role of significant others, the educational transitions, and the experience with institutions and experts. It is based on the analysis of the results of qualitative research of students with disabilities. A biographical approach has been used. These are the narratives about how a vital life experience can strengthen the individual, provided that they have a supportive living environment and empathic responses of the institutional environment that is supported by appropriate systemic solutions. Judging from the statements of students, the reason for their successful biographies is that they have been accepted by their familiesand have received the proper level of incentives and requirements. That has strengthened them in the way that they were also able to cope with identity crises, the crises of the transitions to adulthood, and with occasional negative reactions of the institutions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4246885
The Roma are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Slovenia. A lot of researchers point to a link between ill health, ethnic minority origin and poverty. Roma, throughout Europe, are often faced with poor health, which is not merely a consequence of aging, but also of social situation and situations of complex inequalities. They face lower life expectancy, diseases and infections resulting from poor housing and economic conditions, frequent pregnancies and miscarriages, chronic respiratory diseases of Roma children. In the first part the need for cultural sensitivity in social work is discussed. The second part presents ethnographical data gathered by anthropological approach exploring the Roma perspective of their interpretation of the "disabled" and "ill-health" body. The following topics are pointed out: terminology, the hierarchy between the various disabilities, cultural explanations why disability occurs (the cause of disability) and also the anticipated roles of an indivudal, family and Roma community in relation to the disability.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4245861
Human reproduction is increasingly dependent on medical technology, financial transactions, genetics and decisions among many choices which have to be taken prior of the child’s conception. Comparative analysis of these processes shows the increased number of medical reproductive interventions as well as an increased number of adults who are either biologically or socially involved in the birth of a child and a growing number of personal choices which are made and some new ethical dilemmas. Reproductive technologies and choices strongly influence people with disabilities.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1536250052
This paper discusses the citizenship practices of the victims of the erasure and interprets these practices as emancipation processes: the erased used grassroots and legal means to attempt to obtain the right to dignity, the right to stay and the right to compensation for their ‘lost years’. The effects of the struggle went beyond matters of mere utility: by publicly defining themselves as ‘the erased’ and acting upon injustice, they challenged the boundaries of citizenship in terms of membership and content.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4110181