Strategizing, implementing, and supporting people with disabilities can be difficult for any family or staff. Moreover, navigating medical resources and identifying community support can be stressful if the family is not informed. People with disabilities face many challenges due to their mental and physical limitations and lack of entitlements. There are also external factors such as time management and budget cuts from healthcare organizations. For these reasons, families and staff need to receive concentrated planning individually but, more importantly, on a cultural basis.
Person-centered planning strengthens the focus on individual needs and provides awareness to the circle of support. In this process, the person has preferences, goals, and aspirations that must be converted into an attainable plan for optimum achievement. The plan's purpose is also to build bridges and eliminate obstacles that society would present. The exact process also facilitates a connection with the community by infusing the plan with cultural preferences. In today's society, cultured-centered planning is as essential as person-centered planning because many people with disabilities tend to be raised or reside in diverse communities. Culturally, these people will likely immerse themselves in the community and identify places to gain social acceptance.
Cultured-centered planning enhances sensitivity and awareness of a person's ethnic background for direct support and clinical professionals to provide better care. Many components of an individual's culture affect normalcy, such as language, food, beverages, neighborhoods, inclusion opportunities, and overall comfort. Measured outcomes and competency also help professionals understand cultural preferences and differences. Working with people with disabilities and their families also requires objectivity for staff to examine cultural labels. Although it is not typical for families and health professionals to share the same ideas, a compromise must be made.
Devaluing a person's culture can have a traumatic effect on their lives, leading to challenging behaviors or a lack of participation in activities. Different cultures have different responses and require specific planning. For those reasons, the method in which a circle of support discusses valued outcomes, performance measures, and common maladaptive or adaptive behaviors must consider cultural implications in all facets. The greatest expectations cannot become a reality without dialogue followed by critiques and then collaboration. Without cultural-centered planning, competency will not be measurable and realistic.