A1 Journal article (refereed)
Lost in translation : implementing personal assistance in an East Asian context (2023)

Chou, Y.-C., Chen, B.-W., & Kröger, T. (2023). Lost in translation : implementing personal assistance in an East Asian context. Disability and Society, 38(4), 587-609. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1930517

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Chou, Yueh-Ching; Chen, Bo-Wei; Kröger, Teppo

Journal or series: Disability and Society

ISSN: 0968-7599

eISSN: 1360-0508

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 16/07/2021

Volume: 38

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 587-609

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1930517

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78474

Abstract

Since 2012, Taiwanese citizens with disabilities have been entitled to personal assistance from local authorities. To explore current features of personal assistance and barriers to its implementation, and distinguish it from homecare services, 33 disabled people and 12 staff members representing 10 local authorities in Taiwan were interviewed. Findings indicate that disabled people prefer personal assistance to homecare and perceive that relationships with their families have improved since the availability of personal assistance. However, many users’ needs are unmet due to insufficient hours of service and costly co-payments. Results also show that development of personal assistance has been hindered not only by limited resource allocations but also by a lack of awareness of the concepts of independent living and personal assistance among staff. In the context of East Asian culture, independent living is misinterpreted as self-reliance, leading to the resurrection of the medical model of disability.

Keywords: disabled people; people with intellectual disabilities; services for the disabled; status of disabled people; disability policy; personal assistance; resources; autonomy (cognition); becoming independent (psychology)

Free keywords: independent living; personal assistance; home care; medical model; East Asia; Taiwan

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2