This study explores how attitudes held by the general population, different cultural groups and people within systems and services affect people with disability from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The study found people with disability and family members from CALD communities experienced both positive and negative attitudes. The research presents key findings and recommendations.

Key findings

• People with disability and family members from CALD communities experienced both positive and negative attitudes from members of the public and people working in services they use.
• Some individuals within CALD communities had to speak up for themselves, their families and friends. This had both positive and negative impacts and implications.
• Positive attitudes made people from CALD backgrounds with disability feel welcome, listened to and supported. This happened when they were given information about services, were given time to understand the information provided and were able to ask questions.
• Being from a CALD background and having a disability increased the chances of having a negative experience or interaction.
• Many sectors misunderstood participants’ accents, English language skills or complex communication access needs and made assumptions about their ability to communicate.
• Negative attitudes in health care were very common and increased the chance for wrong diagnosis or treatment.

Recommendations

• Improve communications in professional and personal settings by making information accessible for people from CALD communities.
• Meet their communication access needs, such as using interpreters from the same cultural group.
• Educate professionals to improve attitudes about CALD people with disability in services like health, public transport and the retail sector.
• Improve attitudes towards disability in the general community by providing education about disability from when children are very young.
• Give people with disability the chance to take part in mainstream and cultural community activities.
• Make sure that community leaders treat and support CALD people with disability well.