User-defined outcomes of community care for Asian disabled people

The NHS and Community Care Act (1990) specifically emphasises the health and social care needs of disabled people from minority ethnic communities, urging local authorities to be culturally sensitive to individual needs.

This report examines what a culturally sensitive service looks like from the users' perspective. The report dispels two commonly held myths attributed to the low take up of services among minority ethnic communities: language impeding access and the belief that 'they prefer to look after their own'.

This study found that even those who are fluent in English struggle in accessing services and that 'they prefer to look after their own' is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The study focuses on three main areas: Asian disabled people's views of their quality of life; Asian disabled people's views on services; service providers' views of the service provision to Asian disabled people. The report will be of interest to service providers, practitioners and policy makers in the social care field, as well as researchers and students in social science.

The report makes important recommendations on promoting a culturally sensitive service that is better for all.