The importance of social capital in the community to meet the needs of a family with a disabled child

Abstract

The birth, education and care of a disabled child can negatively affect not only the life and functioning of individual members but also the family as a whole. An important role in assisting and supporting families with disabled children can be played by the community and its social capital, including both formal and informal social networks and the sources of support, the relationships that families have built up. The aim of the research was to find out how the parents of a child with disabilities reflect the importance of the community for their family, with an emphasis on meeting the child's needs. A qualitative research strategy has been used to achieve the goal. The method of data collection was a semi-structured interview. The research file was made up of parents of children with disabilities. The results highlight the importance of an informal social network for the family, which includes a wider family, organizations operating in the third sector to help children with disabilities and their families. One of the most significant obstacles perceived by parents is the poor spatial availability of the organization, which is particularly evident in the rural environment, and also poor awareness of the possibilities of helping and supporting the family. From formal resources, parents particularly perceived the importance of doctors and medical staff.