Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative (MELDI)
Family Matters Working Together
The Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative (MELDI) developed the Family Matters Working Together multimedia training project to empower minority ethnic families of disabled children in Scotland.
The multimedia pack supports bilingual key workers working in partnership with minority ethnic families of disabled children including those who are identified as having 'special educational needs' or requiring additional support. However, there is no reason why families cannot access the materials directly, without support, if they so wish.
What is its purpose?
The pack provides guidance and resources which key workers can use to support and empower minority ethnic families so that they:
- can understand and accept their child's disabilities and special educational needs
- are aware of their entitlement to specialised and culturally appropriate support services
- can decide what is best for their child's education and personal development
- can take the necessary steps to ensure that their child's needs are met.
Empowering Families
The Bilingual Key Workers Guide and the Charter for families are available online.
All families face many challenges when their children are in school and, as they become young adults. However minority ethnic families also face additional barriers because of institutional racial discrimination.
This means that, in addition to thinking about the support that their child requires because of a disability or special educational needs, they also have to think about the important contribution of family culture, home-language and religion and the possibility that their child may experience racial harassment or bullying in school.
These differences that arise from 'disability' and 'ethnic' origin are important for the welfare of the children and their families.
However, they are often unrecognised or ignored by professionals and services. As a consequence, minority ethnic families of disabled children often miss out on services that are provided by statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative (MELDI)
Meldi ceased business on the 31st March 2004. Negotiations are ongoing with a number of different organisations to ensure that the valuable service provided to Black and minority ethnic families with disabled children can continue.
Once we have more information about the future of Meldi services we will post it here. Please visit again to get an update. Thank you for your interest.