Community service providers’ roles in supporting communication disability rehabilitation in Majority World contexts: An example from Ghana
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Abstract
Purpose: In Majority World countries, where speech-language pathology services are
extremely limited, people with communication disabilities may seek help from a range of
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service providers. This qualitative research aimed to explore the nature of community
services offered to people with communication disabilities who seek help in Accra, Ghana.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals from three
professions: pastors (3), doctors (3), and herbalists (3) exploring services that they may offer
to PWCD seeking help. Interviews were analysed using Thematic Network Analysis.
Result: Six global themes described beliefs about communication disability, types of
intervention, explanations provided to people with communication disabilities, promoting
communication, processes for selecting treatments, and links between service providers.
Interventions encompassed physical, spiritual, psychosocial and environmental approaches,
with the notion of plural beliefs interwoven through a number of themes.
Conclusion: In Ghana, and other Majority World contexts, service providers in sectors not
commonly associated with communication disability rehabilitation may have important roles
to play in supporting people with communication disabilities. Understanding the
contributions of other service providers may assist the growing profession of speech language pathology to collaborate across sectors, to develop specific, culturally responsive
approaches to service development.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
community services, speech-language pathology, developing countries
Citation
Wylie, Karen, Davidson, Bronwyn, Marshall, Julie , Bampoe, Josephine Ohenewa, Amponsah, Clement and McAllister, Lindy (2020) Community service providers’ roles in supporting communi cation disability rehabilitation in Majority World contexts: an example from Ghana. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22 (4). pp. 414-424. ISSN 1754-9507