Table 5 Grey literature reports

Owen, L., M. Gordon, et al. (2002). Listen to us - supporting families with children with disabilities: identifying service responses that impact on the risk of family breakdown. The Family Resilience Project; Melbourne, Vic, Disability Services Division, Department of Human Services.

1 focus group with Aboriginal families

V

Examination of services to support families with children with disabilities/Vic

Support groups reported useful by parents; essential elements include accessibility, and common interest based on either location, Aboriginal or ethnic community bonds, or on the disabling condition of the child; living in rural/ remote areas, being members of Aboriginal communities, or of culturally and linguistically diverse communities, being on low incomes or being socially isolated, can have implications for what and how support is provided

Best practice elements - Proactive Prevention and Early Intervention; empowerment; continuity, comprehensiveness; flexibility, strengths-based, partnership, expert, culturally sensitive, promotion and protection of rights, family and child- Focused and responsive, long-term, seamless and integrated, accountability.

Couzos, S., T. Lea, et al. (2003). NACCHO ear trial and school attendance project. Deakin, ACT, Deakin, ACT: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, 2003.

Aboriginal community- controlled multi-center double-blind randomized controlled clinical ear trial (N = 147)

II

Impact of CSOM and treatment on school attendance of Aboriginal children/WA and QLD

High level of significant hearing disability among Indigenous Australian students; associated with learning disability, school absenteeism.

Schools should more effectively engage with health sector.

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (2004). The health of Aboriginal children and young people: summary booklet. West Perth, WA, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

Survey (N = 5,289)

IV

Investigation of health of Indigenous children to inform preventative strategies promoting healthy development and well-being/WA

27% of children were limited in one or more sensory functions (vision, hearing or speech) or experienced pain.

Highlights the need for action across and beyond health sector to address the complex and inter-related factors that contribute to the increased risk of health problems amongst Aboriginal children.

Aboriginal Disability Network New South Wales. (2007). Telling it like it is: a report on community consultations with Aboriginal people with disability and their associates throughout NSW, 2004–2005. Sydney, Sydney: Aboriginal Disability Network New South Wales, 2007.

Community consultations

V

Report of community consultations throughout NSW during 2004/2005 with Aboriginal people with disability and their associates (not child- specific)/NSW

Under-representation of Aboriginal people with disability social, health, community, and disability services, related to policy and structural failures. Concerned over undiagnosed unassisted cases leading to school expulsion. High use of out-of-home care environment due to lack of awareness of support, culturally inappropriate support, fear of asking for help, lack of resources, postponing help-seeking until crisis, family and community problems.

Government and non-government service providers need to develop relationships with Aboriginal communities that are based on trust and equitable partnerships; Recognition of need for more resources to be able to meet the needs of Aboriginal owned and operated services; A focus upon early intervention programs; Prevalence studies needed Aboriginal communities nationwide

Snodgrass F., G. Groves, et al. (2007). Aboriginal students with disabilities: otitis media and conductive hearing loss. Adelaide, Adelaide: Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with Disabilities, 2007.

case study, interviews with government, non- government, health professionals

V

Study on Aboriginal children (and families) with or at risk of developing otitis media and conductive hearing loss/SA

Perceived lack of referrals for Aboriginal children to early intervention programs; lack of relevant resources for Aboriginal families targeting ear health; ESL and access considerations; staff turnover affects relationships; Aboriginal health organizations limited in time and resources to provide community education; inconsistent information provision; difficulty accessing Aboriginal families with children under the age of 3; skilled workforce required (audiometry, teaching); school resistance to sound amplification systems.

Increase awareness and understanding amongst Aboriginal families of causes, consequences, treatments of ear/hearing health; improve preschool and school based education of hearing health and Aboriginal children's needs; service agreements between health services, including Aboriginal health teams and community groups, and education sectors

Calma T. Preventing Crime and Promoting Rights for Indigenous Young People with Cognitive Disabilities and Mental Health Issues, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, March 2008

community consultations; case studies

V

Investigation of early intervention and diversionary practices aimed at preventing offending behavior in Indigenous young people with a cognitive disability and/or a mental health problem/Australia-wide

Young people with cognitive disabilities or mental health issues fall through the cracks of community social services and end up in custody; clear evidence linking low educational achievement to involvement in criminal justice system. Cultural bias in testing; inaccurate identification of Indigenous children as having cognitive disabilities; early identification and early intervention opportunities missed.

Correct assessment and diagnosis of a cognitive disability; early intervention programs targeting multiple risks; holistic and participative approach to solution development and implementation; early intervention research needed to tailor these programs to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples.