A qualitative study on the problems and social exclusion of families with disabilities

Disability is considered as a disadvantage situation in all societies. It is known that people with disabilities have lower education success, poor health status and lower economic condition in all societies. The fact that people with disabilities are encountering various barriers to access to services such as education, employment, health, information and transportation, which are accustomed to many individuals, the participation in social life activities which are normal for many families are impossible or limited for disabled families can explain these differences a little. In order to eliminate all these negativities and the elimination of the barriers encountered by the disabled people and their families, the problems of the disabled people and also their families should be tackled and solved. The aim of this study is to identify the problems of disabled people and to evaluate them with sociological dimensions. In addition, the effects of the problems experienced by the families on social exclusion are discussed. Within the scope of the study, an in-depth interview was conducted with the families of the disabled people who attended the courses in the Social Development Center of Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality. Semi-structured interview form and observation techniques were used. As a result of qualitative interviews conducted with 23 family members, the problems experienced by the families with regard to having disabled persons were examined. It was determined that their families experienced psychological, social and economic problems and they were directly or indirectly exposed to social exclusion in certain periods of their lives. The data obtained from the research were interpreted by descriptive analysis. The family; it is seen that they experience psychological problems such as helplessness, loneliness, lack of time, concern for the future, move away from the social environment, participate in social activities sufficiently, and are directly or indirectly exposed to social exclusion. In addition, the health and special education costs of disabled individuals cause families with disabilities to have economic problems. Keywords: Disability, Family, Social Problem, Social Exclusion.