Special Needs Services in Saudi Arabia - Literature review Example

RUNNING HEAD: SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES IN SAUDI ARABIA Special Needs Services in Saudi Arabia Name Institution Date Introduction According to Sterba (2001), socialism represents an expansive array of both ideologies and political movements aimed at establishing a socio-economic structure where property and wealth distribution are subjected to communal control. This is with a view of enhancing economic and social free will, equal opportunity and cooperation. Socialism has often been considered as closer to the Islamic tenets as compared to capitalism, and probably offers Saudi Arabia as a nation the opportunity of achieving high rates in terms of real economic development within a reasonably short period. The underlying idea behind this system is that an economic community becomes an organic body where every cell develops and contributes among individuals of the political and the economic power that the system (socialism) would encounter. This particular paper therefore intends to expound on Saudi Arabia’s system of socialism and taking into consideration the aspects of clanships and social services. According to Kechichian (2001), the idealistic and the Marxist ideas of socialism focus more or less equally on all the economic activity angles –production and distribution.Inthe kingdom of Saudi Arabia, socialism is tailored to generate socially through the socially-owned production means and also to ensure equitable distribution of both commodities and services. The Contemporary socialism, as Cordesman (2003) highlights, appears to be dictated by the Saudi Arabian constitution largely in terms of public (national) ownership as opposed to social ownership, and also increased economic growth. Socialism in Saudi Arabia significantly highlights varied socialist- communist impact, primarily of the highly distinct varieties of European origin as well as other origins. Some interpreters have cited the independent nature of Saudi Arabia’s socialism, arguing that it is inappropriate to view socialism in Saudi Arabia as either based on theocratic ideology or materialistic ideology. To them, it is an ideology entailing a controlled democracy, spiritual culture, and planned economy deriving its very sources from religious heritage as well as civilization (Cordesman, 2003). As suggested by Wynbrandt (2004), it is therefore meant to respond to the requirements of the Saudi Arabians while gradually merging the entire state into a single class. This is important as the nation has a social division where the major division exists between the local citizens and the foreign workers. The Working class in the nation is mostly made up of the temporary immigrants. The temporary immigrants also fill up the middle-class positions on top of a few upper-class positions. The current socialism in Saudi Arabia, with a particular affinity to the African socialism, remains a misnomer. The nationalization of the production means and income equality is not the main focus, specifically if the socio-economic policies are examined. Great variations in amassed wealth and income is existent, with the main categories being the super-affluent, the very affluent , and the affluent alongside a big middle-income group and individuals with inadequate incomes. Only a little poverty in the Arab nation exists. A strong egalitarian ideology is traditional in Saudi Arabia, where the citizens’ social patterns and verbal patterns of relation stress not only siblinghood but also equality, as opposed to status differentiation. Consequently, heightened government activities along with economic developments that are centrally planned, have dominated the Arab socialism. The extent of luxury, however, varies greatly. The lifestyle variations are rising as the wealthy elites intermingle rarely with the middle-class individuals. The practices, the common attitudes, and the beliefs are all shared throughout the economic divides, with the same economic divides also being bridged by both kinship ties and ties of religion. As highlighted by Abd Allāh Ṣāʼigh (1978), the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed a form of welfare state that is in all probability generous in terms of what it offers in various fields such as medical care, education, low income housing and other government services and financial backing. The role of the government in development consists of many components, just like anywhere else in the world. These include economic legislation (financial and business-related policy, fiscal and economic) and components originating from the oil revenues and their revenue multiplier. Clanship in Saudi Arab The clan culture in Saudi Arabia entails the characteristics of inclusion, shared values, individuality and goals targeting the scope of the structure and hierarchy. Additionally, as Wynbrandt (2004) highlights, flexibility and team spirit are highly esteemed. According to Bedu (2010), the tradition of clanships and tribal traditions have thus a significant place of importance in Saudi Arabia as a nation. Clan culture is therefore viewed more as an extended family. The tribes in the nation have a disparity; some are quite small, having only a few numbers of clans whereas other tribes are extremely large, enjoying significant power and status. The clans originate from close family ties and all the clan members perceive themselves as tied by the same blood, even though superiority of individuals and clans exist. In the clanship, some resources and especially natural resources are sometimes considered a tribal property. Among the Bedouin society, for instance, water and pasture remain a tribal property, where the tribes are composed of several kindred clans. As Alaikum (2008) highlights, the culture of clanship is argued to be successful only in a secure environment, where similar services are provided continually and constantly. Assuming the responsibility for service provision to the society has traditionally elicited an honour contest among the various tribes in Saudi Arabia. Social service provision has thus been part of the Saudi Arabian culture as well as the Islam-organized and the structured aspects relating to giving. In this case, giving had a significant place of importance and was viewed in terms of an individual responsibility in the society. The culture that is presently the nation of Saudi Arabia has seen the emergence of more institutionalized forms of the ‘giving management’ as known to this area. The links that unite people and institutions run deep that it might be assumed as stronger in relation to the ties existing between the people and the nation. A significant part of the individual, charitable organizations and the institutional giving mostly is channelled towards donations and support of the basic needs to the poor and the disabled in the community. The effects of such actions are especially profound in enhancing the livelihood of the disabled through social services such as education, employment, healthcare and eradication of poverty. This is despite the fact that there is no consistent and reliable research carried out on disability cases owing to the fact that Saudi Arabia has not fully embraced the culture of research. In a wider view therefore, the theories of economy, social policy, society, social problems, and social services remain interrelated. Of prime consideration among these is the healthcare service for the disabled. Area-specific data Population of the disabled by region and type Number of persons with disability Physical disability Visual Impairment Hearing Impairment Intellectual Disability Psychiatric disability Overlapping Urban 41.30% 39.60% 48.20% 36.90% 38.70% 31.30% 37.70% Rural 58.70% 60.40% 51.80% 63.10% 61.30% 68.70% 62.30% Source: The Economic Bureau. (2000). Profile on Welfare and Disability in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The social service system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always made an effort to ensure that all its citizens have a decent living standard. The government’s commitment to the well-being of every citizen forms the foundation of the nation’s social stability and complies with the Islamic principles. The Kingdom offers a variety of programs related to the social welfare of the disabled. According to the Labour and Workman Law (Article 51), a disabled person can be described as any individual whose ability to execute and sustain a suitable job to an expected level has weakened due to physical or psychological infirmity (The Economic Bureau, 2000). The Ministry of Health runs the healthcare program, and engages in the operation of 62% of hospitals while also indulging in the control of 53% of clinics and other health centres in the nation. The rest are privately operated although their staff training and operation is subject to control and support by the health ministry. There are some government agencies; however, that have individual hospitals. They include the Public Security Administration, the Ministries of Education and Defence, and the National Guard. Another unique program ensures provision of the relief aid, social security pensions, and benefits to people with disabilities. The nation also continuously ensures that all the assistance offered meets and is relevant to the needs of the disabled population by basically raising the stipends offered monthly, depending mainly on a person’s need and his or her status. The programs are as well mindful of a person’s sensibilities, thus making it possible to ensure that home and institutional care are a reality to the disabled individuals. In terms of accommodation, the government of Saudi Arabia has played a fundamental role in terms of the provision of adequate and better shelters for the disabled. The rapidly growing population of the youth has also been generally considered in the same question. This government has thus been radical in financing and construction of shelters for the disabled and low-income earners. Therefore, through the various initiatives favouring the disabled such as the spirit of giving, better policies, laws, measures, and proper administration, the government and the society are deemed as having clear understanding of the special needs nationally (The Economic Bureau, 2000). Closely viewed, the services offered by the Saudi Arabian government and other charitable organizations appear abundant and of great quality. On the other hand, it could be argued that the provided institutionalized services reflect the aspects of social segregation rather than social integration involving individuals with disabilities (Mobaraki & Söderfeldt, 2010). Although public awareness seems to be unclear, the main attitude of the public towards the disabled is that of social compassion and sympathy that consequently seem to hinder their acceptance within the major part of the society. Awareness campaigns focusing on feelings as well as hindrances facing the disabled may be significant in laying the foundation for transformation from the institutionalization to the community based services going by the global trends (The Economic Bureau, 2000). The Economic Bureau (2000) indicate that even though the nation is largely a rich state, cases of disabilities are widely experienced and are a challenge to the society and the government to ensure special care is given to the individuals with special needs. The impact to the nation is immense that the government has resorted to various methods of reducing the disability cases, including the reduction of accidents. On the other hand, critics of this view perceive the government and the society at large as having failed in terms of the equitable distribution of these services to the disabled of all classes. They argue that the disabled with sound economic backgrounds tend to enjoy better health facilities and other social services compared to their counterparts from poor economic backgrounds (The Economic Bureau, 2000). Besides, gender disparity has also been clearly highlighted whereby most social service providers are men while most of the people with social service needs are women. This indicates that women are at the bottom level of the society and are unfairly treated, thus highly succumbing to physical and psychological impairments. The human rights bodies also cite some weaknesses in the understanding of gender issues among the disabled in Saudi Arabia as women and men have separate social health care centers, clinics and hospitals (Coleridge, 2000). Some short accounts of people with disability I.A young man of 25 who has Down syndrome, who speaks reasonably well and can understand what is being said to her but cannot read or write Male people with such disabilities suffer from significant incapacitations among other health problems. These people therefore require specialized services and acceptance by their community, according to Cassidy & Alanson (2001). Besides, they need employment, security, and education as their counterparts. The Saudi Arabian government and other non-profit bodies ensure such people gain access to the social care system. The healthcare facilities for the disabled male are separate from those of the disabled female, and are also fully equipped, providing therapies where necessary. The government also addresses the problem of insufficient income of the people by ensuring they are considered through the provision of benefits, social security pensions, and the relief assistance. They also receive employment after vocational training and, to some extent, are given some financial assistance. Such people, apart from being offered access to education supported by the government, also have 2% of the total jobs reserved for them. These jobs are very specific in every organization, and entail the positions to be offered. They are guided by The Labour and Workman Law (1969) II.A young woman of 25 who has Down syndrome, who speaks reasonably well and can understand what is being said to her but cannot read or write. The government of Saudi Arabia ensures that women suffering from the down syndrome are given proper medical attention through better health care facilities tailored mainly for women. Additionally, care is also taken to control such occurrences in the society, while they also receive necessary therapies, according to Gameren-Oosterom et al. (2012). Social inclusion for such a person is a fundamental initiative from the government that ensures promotion of education and other social services for the disabled. Incase she lacks shelter, a social care home offers an alternative. The social care homes primarily supply food and other needs to such a person. There education has also been emphasized on by the government and non-profit bodies. There is also a program meant for the provision of benefits, social security pensions, and the relief aid to the disabled people like her, who are without income (Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 2011). III.A child of 10 with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. The child shows emotion through smiling or crying. The child does not speak or walk and needs all care with eating, drinking and toileting. For a child of 10 with profound intellectual and physical disabilities and who shows emotions through crying or smiling, and does not walk or speak and needs all care with eating or drinking and toileting, the social institute of education accommodates them by providing them with special conditions as offered by the Saudi Arabian social welfare program of the labour ministry and social affairs. Together with Polio-Care Institutes, these institutes offer full educational, health, religious, psychological and cultural and social care guided by the principles of Islam (Al- Hazmi, (2000). This ensures that such a child fits comfortably in the society. Attempts are also made at developing their remaining natural capacities while also rehabilitating them socially and mentally for proper adaptation to the society, attempts including provision of physiotherapy, boarding facilities, and better surgeries. Day Care Centres also offer rehabilitation to special instances of disable children aged 3-12 years for given hours to reduce burden to parents, especially the working parents who provide insufficient care during their official working time (Al- Turaiki, 2000). IV.A man of 35 who has learning disabilities and has never done any paid work. He currently lives with his family and his parents are elderly and becoming increasingly infirm. Faced With these challenges, the person is not working and hence the Ministry of Labour and Social services ensures that such people are also included in employment and given financial support, including pensions and benefits. Besides, the government of Saudi Arabia has ensured that vocational centers for rehabilitating such people have been established. The centers aim at rehabilitating the intellectually and physically challenged individuals from 15-45 years. The rehabilitation is designed to the specific needs of the disabled individuals while also being programmed to develop the unexploited potentials among such people. Other roles include enabling productivity among the disabled so that they can adapt both socially and mentally for effective partnership in the society. Vocational Rehabilitation Centres entail special training sections basic in a wide field like electricity, carpentry, clerical works, book binding and computers. Proper medical care is also provided to such people. At present there are three vocational rehabilitation centers primarily for males located in Taif, Riyadh and Dammam. Conclusion From the analysis, it is clear that socialism arouses various critical issues pertaining to the functioning of the contemporary society. The Saudia Arabia’s case as highlighted by the analysis represents ideologies and political movements whose aims are to establish a socio-economic structure where wealth distribution and service provision are under communal control. The paper also provided an analysis of clanship in Saudi Arabia while highlighting the service distribution in the society with significant emphasis on the disabled. Even though the Saudi Arabian government has indicated tremendous improvements in terms of the welfare of the disabled, it is also clear not much research has been carried to gather sufficient information on disability cases. References Alaikum, A.O. (2008).The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Muslim Culture of Saudi Arabia, Retrieved on April 28 from Abd Allāh Ṣāʼigh, Y. (1978). The Economies of the Arab World: Development Since 1945 Volume 1 of the Economies of Arab World, the Taylor & Francis Al-Shawaf, R & Al-Faleh, W. (2011). Craniofacial characteristics in Saudi Down’s syndrome, King Saud University Journal of Dental Sciences, Vol 2, Pp 17–22 Al- Hazmi, M. (2000). Saudi National Survey of Children with Disability, Prince Salman Centre for Disability Research. Riyadh. Al- Turaiki, M. (2000). National Survey of disability and rehabilitation in Saudi Society, The Joint Centre for Research in Prosthetics Orthotics, Riyadh. Bedu, A. (2010).Saudi Arabia: Clans and Tribal Traditions, Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from Coleridge, P. (2000). Disability and Culture: CBR in Transition, Asia Pacific Disability, Rehabilitation Journal group publication, Bangalore, Pp 21- 38. Cassidy, S. & Allanson, J. (2001). Management of Genetic Syndromes, 1st Edition, New York. Cordesman, A.H. (2003). Saudi Arabia Enters the Twenty-first Century: The Political, Foreign Policy, Economic, and Energy Dimensions, Volume 2, Greenwood Publishing Group. Gameren-Oosterom, V. et al. (2012). Healthy Growth in Children with Down Syndrome. 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