title: A descriptive study in American Samoa: services for people with disabilities.
abstract: State agency service providers of persons with disabilities were surveyed and interviewed in American Samoa to describe and understand the level of services offered within the federal mandates and cultural context. Responses to the survey indicated that a majority of consumers do not request services or complete the application forms themselves. The interviews revealed an important aspect that was overlooked from the initial stages of the study: Many service providers did not have a conceptual understanding of self-determination as defined within a western context. We believe this cultural and contextual difference influenced how they responded to particular questions and perhaps how they engaged in providing services. This preliminary study opens the door for follow up investigations to determine the interplay of culture and federal regulations coinciding within a Pacific Island population.
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Center on Disability Studies Disabilities, 1776 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. duehara@hawaii.edu
authors.forename: Denise L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.affiliation: American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, USA.
authors.forename: Tafa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tua-Tupuola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018948:American Samoa; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors