A Qualitative Study of the Muslims Perspective toward Disability: A Case of Northern Indiana

Overview: This study highlights the lived experiences of Northern Indiana Muslim Americans’ attitudes toward persons with disabilities. However, the literature on Muslims in the U.S. and globally is disparate; exploring the complexities of their faith and beliefs towards disabilities can inform social work educators, research, and practice.Proposal text: Background/Rationale:
Disability is increasingly recognized as a human rights issue locally and globally. Persons with disabilities face attitudinal barriers, including prejudice, stereotypes, and stigma (Kang et al., 2016; Marko, 2019). They have the same rights to non-discrimination, access, equality of opportunity, inclusion, and full participation in society (Chabeda-et al.,2019; Fisher et al., 2020; Ibrahim, I., & Ismail, M, 2018). The study fills this gap in the literature and explains factors contributing to Muslim Americans’ attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Though the literature on Muslims in the U.S. and globally is disparate, exploring the complexities of their beliefs towards disabilities can inform social work education and practice. The Muslim community needs awareness about the stigma, superstition, and stereotypes often faced by persons with disabilities. Furthermore, by developing a cultural understanding of the group’s sociodemographic characteristics (Hamdani et al., 2017; Vuuren & Aldersey, 2020 ), and level of contacts with the persons with disabilities (Al-Abdulwahab & Al-Gain, 2003; Nagata, 2007a, b) as well as acculturation patterns (Amer, 2005; Bagasra, & Mackinem,2019) and their spirituality /religious beliefs (Hodge,2003), social work educators/practitioners can learn how such factors impact Muslims’ attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Furthermore, many Muslim families may not have fully assimilated or acculturated into mainstream American culture and still adhere to their Muslim beliefs, so additional knowledge about mainstream resources to assist families facing disabilities will assist caregivers in ensuring their well-being as well.

Methods:
This qualitative study explores the perceptions of a sample of Muslim Americans toward persons with disabilities. A purposive non-probability sampling technique was used to select participants who self-identified as adults/families (18 years and over) from the local Muslim community and attended the Michiana Islamic Center (MIC). Semi-structured individual in-depth interviews (Nf 5) and three focus groups (Nf15) were conducted. The data was analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis guided by attitudes theory and Ecosystem theory (Wang et al., 2020).

Findings:
The results of thematic data analysis provided evidence of lived experience of the Muslim community in South Bend to support strong relationships between sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, etc. Muslims who adhered to Islamic rules and assimilated to the U.S. culture was general. Positive contacts with persons with disabilities have more favorable attitudes toward disabilities versus those who were not practicing Islam and not fully assimilated with the U.S. mainstream culture.


Conclusion:
The presenter will highlight the importance of understanding stigma towards persons with disabilities when assessing sociodemographic characteristics, social contacts, and acculturation of the Muslim community living in the U.S. and abroad. Given the importance of understanding Muslims’ beliefs, values, and attitudes toward disabilities, social work educators can incorporate more in-depth knowledge on Muslim faith practices, illustrating how to holistically address disabilities to enhance cultural competency skills when working with spiritually diverse communities. Incorporating such content into social work curricula helps address CSWE’s (2015) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, which require social work programs to educate students on engaging diversity and difference in practice (Competency 2).