Arab Educational Information Network

This study looks into the cultural and social influences on the provision of early intervention (EI) programmes in Jordan, namely the perspective on disability from an Islamic Arabic culture. The aim is to examine the perspectives of Jordanian parents and occupational therapists on the influence of their cultural understanding of disability on the provision and use of EI programmes. A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with seven parents of children with disabilities using EI programmes, and five EI occupational therapists was used. The results provide an insight into the Jordanian cultural perception of disability which includes three themes: 'It is the will of Allah', 'Social stigma', and 'Extended family role'. The resulting themes coincide with the general Islamic Arabic perspective revealed in previous literature, with emphasis on the direct impact of the parents' cultural views on their involvement in their child's intervention. This is an important contribution to the limited literature on the cultural and religious view of parents on EI programmes within Islamic Arabic countries. (As Provided)