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Formal and informal support services available to parents of in-school children with disabilities in Ghana

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  • Vanderpuye, Irene
  • Okai, Martha-Pearl
  • Miezah, Daniel
  • Opoku, Maxwell Peprah
  • Mensah, Gyimah Ebenezer

Abstract

Parenting children with disabilities has been found to involve stressful and challenging experiences. However, studies are yet to delve deeply into the support services available in society for parents and their children with disabilities, especially in the African context. The social model of disability was used as this study’s lens to understand the accessibility of formal and informal support services to children with disabilities and their families in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used for the data collection from 16 parents whose children were enrolled in special and inclusive schools in Ghana. The data collected were analysed thematically. The results showed that both formal and informal support services were inaccessible to parents. In particular, certain barriers, including stereotypes, labels and religious interpretations of disability, had adverse impacts on informal support services to parents and their children with disabilities. The study recommends the establishment of counsellor services and educational programmes for parents following the child’s disability diagnosis.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanderpuye, Irene & Okai, Martha-Pearl & Miezah, Daniel & Opoku, Maxwell Peprah & Mensah, Gyimah Ebenezer, 2025. "Formal and informal support services available to parents of in-school children with disabilities in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925000106
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joshua Amo-Adjei & Ruth Essuman & Anastasiia Nurzhynska & Antoine Deliege & Geeta Sharma & Iddi Iddrisu & Charity Nikoi, 2023. "Experiences of parents and stakeholders in caring for, and supporting children with special needs in Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Abdul-Aziz Seidu & Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli & Kristin McBain-Rigg & Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli & Theophilus I. Emeto, 2021. "Level of Inclusiveness of People with Disabilities in Ghanaian Health Policies and Reports: A Scoping Review," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Adu-Gyamfi, Jones, 2013. "Can children and young people be empowered in participatory initiatives?: Perspectives from young people's participation in policy formulation and implementation in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1766-1772.
    4. Kofi Opoku, Emmanuel & Peprah Opoku, Maxwell & Frimpomaa, Lilian & Nketsia, William & Kwadwo Wisdom, Mprah & Akoto, Yaw & Safi, Mohammed, 2023. "Understanding adults with communication disorders in Ghana: Accessing rehabilitation and support systems," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
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    6. Laufey Löve & Rannveig Traustadóttir & Gerard Quinn & James Rice, 2017. "The Inclusion of the Lived Experience of Disability in Policymaking," Laws, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-16, December.
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