A snap-shot of organisational provisions for Maori children and youth with special needs

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a survey to gather information about the scope, prevalence and effectiveness of programmes and services for Maori children and youth with special needs. Analysis of relevant organisational documentation including a postal survey completed by 78
people from 56 different special educational, Maori, support and disability organisations, and 25 follow-up interviews, revealed that a wide range of services and programmes were being offered by organisations throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand. Out of the organisations surveyed fifty-eight percent were providing programmes and services especially developed or adapted for Maori, and forty-one percent had a person with particular responsibility for or expertise in this area. Common components of effective programmes and services were: the incorporation of cultural content; the involvement of parents, whanau, the Maori community, Maori organisations and Maori workers; and ready accessibility. Respondents described 56 different effective strategies and 39 challenges to providing for Maori children and youth with special needs. The five major barriers identified were: insufficient funding; lack of culturally appropriate resources and people with cultural and professional expertise; a shortage of culturally appropriate, relevant training; Pakeha-centric attitudes towards special needs provisions; and high-stress levels of Maori staff working in the special needs domain.