Evaluation of disability perception with multicultural perspective: The case of Rhodope province, Greece

This research aims to examine how the disability and the disabled people are perceived in the Rhodopi Province of Greecefrom a multicultural perspective. Theresearch was designed according to the phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group was selected according to the snowball sampling technique and 40 participants were included in the study group, consisting of parents of disabled children, relatives, teachers and religious officials selected from the Muslim Turkish Minority who have lived together with the majority population in Greece for centuries. Different demographic information forms, created according to groups, and semi-structured interview forms were used as data collection tools. The data obtained were analyzed using content analysis. According to the resultsobtained from the analysis, it was determined that the majority and minority participants' opinions about disabled individuals were positive. When looked at the differences between the groups, it is seen that the parents from the and teachers from the minority have a negative perspective, while the relatives from the majority have equal positive and negative perspectives. It has been revealed that majority and minority participants defined disabled individuals in line with the medical model. As for the differences between the groups, it has been observed that while minority parents made definitions which does not fall into either of the categories, the medical model or the social model, minority relatives, minority religious officials and minority teachers made definitions in line with the social model. It has been determined that the majority and minority participants' opinions about the participation of individuals with disabilities in society are in the direction of unconditional participation. Only the parents from the majority were in favor of preconditioned participation. Majority and minority participants stated that individuals with disabilities are perceived as socially excluded within society. On the other hand, priests and the teachers from the majority expressed their opinions in favor of social acceptance. When asked whether the disabled individuals can be educated or healed with treatment, participants on both sides were of the opinionthattheseindividuals can be educated. Regarding the same question, parents from the majority with disabled children and imams are of the opinion that they can be partially educated. The majority and minority participants stated their views on the causes of disability as general classification reasons. However, parents from the minority with disabled children and priests explained the reasons for disability as being related to religious belief. Majority and minority participants reported that their perceptions of disability were not affected by different ethnic groups. However, there are differences between the groups. Participants from the majority agree that they are not affected. Families from the minority with disabled children are of the opinion that they are affected. The opinions of the relatives of the disabled from the minority are equally divided as affectedand not affected. It has been found that minority teachers stated that they have no opinion on this issue. In addition, it has been determined that all participants explained their religion's perspective on disabled individuals based on religious belief and that their religion favors accepting disabled individuals.