Disabilities In Europe Research Articles

THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. THE ROLE OF DIGITAL SKILLS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The present study is the result of an empirical research about the role of digital skills, accommodation and technological assistance for the employment of people with disabilities, This research was conducted by the "Alături de Voi" (ADV) Romania Foundation to identify and analyze the challenges faced by people with disabilities on the labour market in Romania as part of a project carried out by the European Disability Forum (EDF), an organization that works at the European level to promote the rights of people with disabilities. More than half of people with disabilities in Europe do not have a job, even though many of them are willing to work. People with disabilities who wish to work are not aware of all the facilities provided by the European and national legislative framework. Sociological research takes as its starting point the right of people with disabilities to work, irrespective of their location, to equal opportunities in the labour market, to decent working conditions, including through the use of modern technologies. The following methods were used to conduct this sociological research: (1) desk research, which involved reviewing national strategies, programs, and public policies related to the education, training, and employment of people with disabilities; (2) secondary data analysis based on statistics provided by Eurostat and National Institute of Statistics regarding the conditions of the persons with disabilities on the labour market; (3) applying a total of 27 questionnaires to companies/organizations to collect information on the education and training level of people with disabilities in digital skills, programs and initiatives related to lifelong learning opportunities, human resources policies of organizations in Romania regarding the employment of people with disabilities, and best practice models in the application of technology to facilitate the work of individuals with special needs. This sociological study does not represent the official position of EDF, nor of ADV.

Barriers to cultural participation by people with disabilities in Europe: a study across 28 countries

This article discusses the findings of a new qualitative study conducted in 28 European countries, examining barriers to cultural participation as perceived by representatives of organisations of people with disabilities. The study explores barriers operating in all art-forms as well as in cultural heritage, and it encompasses participation of people with a broad range of disability types both as audiences and as creators of culture. The article evidences that a range of interlinked barriers are commonly perceived by people with disabilities in five areas – lack of effective laws and policies; inadequate services and/or funding; negative attitudes; lack of accessibility; and lack of involvement of persons with disabilities in cultural organisations. The article argues for more systematic approaches to enforcement of laws and policies, for greater knowledge about disability to be embedded within cultural organisations and policymaking, and for employment of people with disabilities at all levels within cultural sectors.

Progress on deinstitutionalisation and the development of community living for persons with disabilities in Europe: Are we nearly there?

Following the publication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability, the rights and situation of people with disabilities have once again become a focus of national, European and international policy and advocacy. Mansell et al., (2007) identified that there were over 1million people with disabilities in Europe living in institutions of over 30 places in size and almost 1.4 million in some form of residential care. This paper reports findings from a review of national and international sources of data on living situation for 27 European countries as of 2019. Although there had been some changes, especially for children and especially in countries where EU structural funds had been used, there were still 1.4 million people living in residential care, with many still for more than 30 people. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities were those who were most likely to still be in residential services. We consider some of the potential reasons for these findings and discuss what might be needed to really advance deinstitutionalisation. Point of interest People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else to live in the community. This paper looks at where people with disabilities live and how this has changed over time. We found that many people with disabilities still live in institutions and that the number had not changed much since 2007. There have been more changes for children than adults. Fewer children now live in institutions. People with intellectual disabilities are most likely to still live in institutions and least likely to be living and participating in the community. Many countries in Europe still do not have good information about where people with disabilities live and whether they have choice and control or are active citizens. There was more change in countries which had received money from the European Union. However, in many countries, there were no plans for how to help more people to live in the community.

The right to participate in cultural life of persons with disabilities in Europe: Where is the paradigm shift?

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is associated with a paradigm shift in how disability is approached, as it views persons with disabilities as holders of rights and as active members of society. It aims to ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in communal life, and, in Article 30, addresses participation in culture. This research article focuses on the implementation of Article 30, investigating whether there is evidence of the paradigm shift underpinning the CRPD in how cultural participation is approached by States Parties. Focusing on Europe and on the basis of a systematic qualitative document analysis of States’ reports to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and recommendations made by the Committee in response to them, this article shows that the medical model of disability still underpins cultural participation. Signs of a paradigm shift are, however, evident in the way States address accessibility and identities of some groups. Physical access to buildings and heritage is a prominent issue, and awareness of the need to facilitate access to cultural content is emerging. This article concludes that full realisation of the paradigm shift in the cultural domain, while being essential to achieve full inclusion of persons with disabilities, is yet to come.

Dying with disability: a disability and palliative care intersectoral partnership framework

People with intellectual disabilities have poor end-of-life experiences compared with other community members. Few strategies are in place to ensure they receive end-of-life care tailored to their specific needs. More is known about “what” constitutes quality end-of-life care for people with intellectual disabilities, and the barriers to achieving these outcomes, than “how” to overcome these barriers. The expertise of both the palliative care and disability sectors are needed, at national, state, regional, and local levels, to address the causes that result in poor end-of-life experiences for people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and carers. This study developed an intersectoral disability and palliative care policy and practice partnership framework using a modified Delphi approach to integrate the key findings of two studies that provided guidance on what good end-of-life care looks like for people with intellectual disabilities: the Disability Healthy End of Life Program service model with the European Association of Palliative Care Consensus Norms for Palliative Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities in Europe. The intersectoral framework developed from this study is solution-focused and addresses the challenges of achieving quality practice.

Https://azbuki.bg/uncategorized/urok-za-otraslova-profesionalna-podgotovka-po-sgradostroitelstvo-pokrivni-linii/

In the article are outlined the results of a project aimed to describe the use of robot assistants in the light of improving the quality of life in the context of an aging population and increased percentage of people with disabilities in Europe. This shifts the focus to uniting and integrating the efforts of different sciences in search for adequate operating measures and stressing on what people with specific difficulties can, but not on what they cannot do, and maintenance of the autonomy of seniors living alone. The preferences regarding the assistant robot’s control, appearance, functions, and voice, people with disabilities and seniors living alone have, are described. Two groups of users’ preferences are identified - universal and specific, which is a valuable guidance for optimal consideration of the general and subjective characteristics and needs.

Mind This Gap, Too: Political Orientations of People with Disabilities in Europe

People with disabilities constitute one of the largest minority groups in Europe, and yet our knowledge about how they relate to the political system remains limited. In addition to facing practical barriers such as inaccessible campaign material and polling stations, they often have fewer resources that facilitate and promote confidence and engagement in politics. Moreover, experiences of discrimination and low numbers of politicians with disabilities can generate feelings of disempowerment. Using European Social Survey data from 30 countries from 2002 to 2015, this study shows that people with disabilities have lower levels of internal and external efficacy, political trust and interest, and electoral participation. The disparities in internal efficacy and political interest disappear when accounting for education, income, employment, and social contact. Meanwhile, significant gaps in external efficacy, political trust, and turnout remain to be explained. Perceptions of discrimination strengthen the internal efficacy and political interest of citizens with disabilities but further decrease their external efficacy, political trust, and turnout. The study sheds light on a frequently overlooked dimension of political inequality, provides insights on several contributing factors, and highlights where further research is needed.

Special edition: mental health and intellectual disabilities in Europe

Special edition: mental health and intellectual disabilities in Europe

World Arthritis Day 2018 ‐ Perspectives on Rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases

World Arthritis Day 2018 ‐ Perspectives on Rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases

APA Presents First Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award to Global MH Rights Organization

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Association NewsFull AccessAPA Presents First Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award to Global MH Rights OrganizationLinda M. RichmondLinda M. RichmondSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:25 May 2018https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2018.6a1AbstractAPA’s 2018 Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award was presented to Janos Fiala-Butora, the executive director of the Validity Foundation, at APA’s 2018 Annual Meeting last month. Pictured after the presentation are (from left) APA Medical Director and CEO Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., Fiala-Butora, and incoming APA President Altha Stewart, M.D. Oscar and AssociatesFounded in 2002, Validity works by filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals with mental illness and mental disabilities in Europe and Africa with the goal of setting legal precedents that will help all people with mental disabilities attain inclusion, education, and equality.“Mental health law was not a field taught in Central Europe, where I am from,” said Fiala-Butora. Psychiatry services in Central Europe are not underdeveloped, he said, but historically they have been heavily influenced by Communism. There, unfortunately, psychiatry has been abused by political leaders and the state as a means of separating dissidents from society, he said.The organization tackles the denial of education for children with mental disabilities, who in many countries are either placed in separate education systems or ignored as “ineducable.” Through another of its campaigns, Validity is working to halt the mass institutionalization of people with mental disabilities who are kept in inhumane conditions, often chained or strapped to beds, with almost no medical oversight, Fiala-Butora said. In Uganda, for instance, the country has 14 million citizens and a mental health care budget of only $200,000. When needed, Validity has taken cases of human rights violations to international courts.“We are very grateful that APA has recognized our work, lifting the morale of our staff by acknowledging that what we do has value, so that we can continue on this path,” he said. In 2017 APA renamed its Human Rights Award for Pierce in honor of his legacy of innovative research; advocacy against disparities, stigma, and discrimination; and pioneering work in global mental health. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Prevalence of psychological distress among parents of children with intellectual disabilities in Malawi

BackgroundChildren with intellectual disabilities are common and are increasing in number as more children survive globally. In stark contrast to the 1–3% prevalence of intellectual disability in children globally (reported by WHO), studies from Malawi provide alarmingly high rates (26%). We know that the prevalence of psychological distress is as high as 50% in parents of children with intellectual disabilities in Europe and the US. No such studies have yet been conducted in Africa. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors for psychological distress among parents of intellectually disabled children in Malawi.MethodsThis quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in January and February 2015. One hundred and seventy mothers and fathers of children with intellectual disabilities as diagnosed by psychiatric clinical officers were randomly sampled from two selected child disability clinics. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) was used “as measure for psychological distress and questions on socio-demographic variables were administered to all consenting participants.” Data was coded, cleaned and analyzed using STATA.Results70/170 (41.2%) of parents of children with intellectual disabilities reported psychological distress. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that area of residence (P < 0.05), low socio-economic status (P < 0.05), knowledge of the disability of one’s child (P < 0.05), low confidence in managing the disabled child (P < 0.05), increased perceived burden of care (P = 0.05), and having no sources for psychological support (P < 0.05) significantly predicted psychological distress among the parents for children with disabilities.ConclusionThere is huge burden of psychological distress among parents of intellectually disabled children in Malawi. Psychosocial interventions are urgently needed to support parents of children with intellectual disability in Malawi.

Human Rights of Asylum Seekers with Psychosocial Disabilities in Europe.

Background:The migrants crossing the Mediterranean towards Europe have dramatically been increased in 2015 as the number of incidents and deathsObjective:This editorial summarizes the results of our work and highlights some critical aspects that hinder the care to asylum seekers with stress disorders.Method:Screening for mental disorders was performed in all migrants joint three camps in Sardinia (January-September 2015) using K6, Short Screening Scale for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and with an interview. Positives were evaluated by psychiatrists and if they needed, have been treated and evaluated at the start of treatment and three months later.Results:22.1% of the sample, (22.6% female, 38.5±12.9 years) were positive for at least one screener; 8.7%, (24% female) had a diagnosis of depressive or bipolar DSM5 disorders and 7.6%, (25% female) of PTSD. After three months of treatment: 51 treated people (26.8%) had left the camps. 53.1% of those remaining declared had relatives in northern Europe that they wanted to reach. Only 8.3% showed a significant clinical improvement.Conclusion:Clinical improvement was dramatically poor in people who stay in the camps. Dissatisfaction and feeling they could not join relatives may have had a negative impact. In PTSD, with the experience of torture and seeing family members killed, staying with surviving relatives in stable conditions would be an important part of treatment. From this point of view the UE Dublin Regulation seems not to be in agreement with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities

Exceptions and Exclusions: The Right to Informed Consent for Medical Treatment of People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Europe.

This article examines the relevant international law relating to informed consent to treatment for individuals with psychosocial disabilities and reflects on the protection offered in this respect by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. The article argues that while the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is beginning to influence case law of the European Court of Human Rights, only 'weak' protection has been afforded to people with psychosocial disabilities by the ECHR and the Court in relation to informed consent for medical treatment.

Developing research priorities for palliative care of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe: a consultation process using nominal group technique.

BackgroundEmpirical knowledge around palliative care provision and needs of people with intellectual disabilities is extremely limited, as is the availability of research resources, including expertise and funding. This paper describes a consultation process that sought to develop an agenda for research priorities for palliative care of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe.MethodsA two-day workshop was convened, attended by 16 academics and clinicians in the field of palliative care and intellectual disability from six European countries. The first day consisted of round-table presentations and discussions about the current state of the art, research challenges and knowledge gaps. The second day was focused on developing consensus research priorities with 12 of the workshop participants using nominal group technique, a structured method which involved generating a list of research priorities and ranking them in order of importance.ResultsA total of 40 research priorities were proposed and collapsed into eleven research themes. The four most important research themes were: investigating issues around end of life decision making; mapping the scale and scope of the issue; investigating the quality of palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities, including the challenges in achieving best practice; and developing outcome measures and instruments for palliative care of people with intellectual disabilities.ConclusionsThe proposal of four major priority areas and a range of minor themes for future research in intellectual disability, death, dying and palliative care will help researchers to focus limited resources and research expertise on areas where it is most needed and support the building of collaborations. The next steps are to cross-validate these research priorities with people with intellectual disabilities, carers, clinicians, researchers and other stakeholders across Europe; to validate them with local and national policy makers to determine how they could best be incorporated in policy and programmes; and to translate them into actual research studies by setting up European collaborations for specific studies that require such collaboration, develop research proposals and attract research funding.

Defining consensus norms for palliative care of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe, using Delphi methods: A White Paper from the European Association of Palliative Care

Background: People with intellectual disabilities often present with unique challenges that make it more difficult to meet their palliative care needs. Aim: To define consensus norms for palliative care of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. Design: Delphi study in four rounds: (1) a taskforce of 12 experts from seven European countries drafted the norms, based on available empirical knowledge and regional/national guidelines; (2) using an online survey, 34 experts from 18 European countries evaluated the draft norms, provided feedback and distributed the survey within their professional networks. Criteria for consensus were clearly defined; (3) modifications and recommendations were made by the taskforce; and (4) the European Association for Palliative Care reviewed and approved the final version. Setting and participants: Taskforce members: identified through international networking strategies. Expert panel: a purposive sample identified through taskforce members’ networks. Results: A total of 80 experts from 15 European countries evaluated 52 items within the following 13 norms: equity of access, communication, recognising the need for palliative care, assessment of total needs, symptom management, end-of-life decision making, involving those who matter, collaboration, support for family/carers, preparing for death, bereavement support, education/training and developing/managing services. None of the items scored less than 86% agreement, making a further round unnecessary. In light of respondents’ comments, several items were modified and one item was deleted. Conclusion: This White Paper presents the first guidance for clinical practice, policy and research related to palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities based on evidence and European consensus, setting a benchmark for changes in policy and practice.

Strengthening Participation Rights of Children and Young People with Disabilities in Europe

This paper deals with an important question: Why children and young people with disabilities are almost absent from the debate about children rights, specially, children participation rights? Figures show that children with disabilities represent, in our society, a minority within another minority, that of “children and young people”. In order to answer this question, adults should change how to communicate with them and how to reach a major knowledge regarding new means of communication, above all, when new technology is involved. New technologies could facilitate the accessibility to information but also the communication of information and opinions itself. In this way the concept of “reasonable accommodation” should be expanded beyond the employment and occupation areas embracing others domains.

EPA-0365 – Mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities in Europe

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) make up to 3% of the general population. The prevalence of mental illness is higher among people with ID due to social and medical factors. The prevalence of Schizophrenia is 3%. Healthcare systems in Europe differ in how they meet the mental health needs of European citizens with ID. In services there are either specialists in ID or generalists to support people. In some systems, there is no identifiable healthcare model to meeting the specialist mental health needs of people with ID. To describe mental healthcare systems in five states in Europe and the drivers of change. A description of mental health systems for people with ID in Europe. The mental healthcare models are diverse across Europe. There are specialist community and in-patient services in the UK and Ireland. In Romania mental healthcare in ID is often in institutional settings. In Croatia, there is an emerging provision of mental healthcare in ID in the community. In Hungary there is progress in providing community care in ID. The mental health systems for people with ID in Europe employ a range of models. In general, there is a move from institution-based care to the adoption of community-based models. Healthcare systems are at different stages in their path to community provision. Healthcare policy and human rights legislation will shape healthcare models in mental health and ID that also rely on political will and advocacy on the needs of people with ID.

EPA-0333 – Psychotherapy in people with intellectual disabilities

The use of psychotherapeutic strategies in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is at different stages in various countries in Europe. The UK and Ireland use special modified psychotherapeutic programmes for people with ID but there appears not to be many resources in psychotherapy in other European countries. The presentation considers the different psychotherapeutic approaches published in the scientific literature within the last ten years. To ascertain the use of psychotherapy in people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. ‘Psychotherapy‘, ‘intellectual‘, ‘developemental‘, and ‘disabilities’ were chosen as keywords in searching the databases. Abstracts of publications were grouped in to psychotherapy models, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Psychotherapy, Analytic Psychotherapy. Sub-groups included other models, for example group psychotherapy. The formats of publications were defined as case report, structured assessment, analysis of therapeutic methods The database research revealed nearly 300 publications on psychotherapy in people with ID over a ten-year period. It supports the assertion of the use of psychotherapy in ID. Most publications reported on work undertaken in the United Kingdom. The presentation gives more detailed information about the relationship between cognitive behavioural and analytic-oriented strategies, intervention type and study characteristics. There is currently a good evidence base on the use of psychotherapeutic methods in working with people with ID. Much of it is in the English language literature. There is potential for the development of models to be applied in ID. The use of psychotherapeutic approaches in ID needs to be encouraged across healthcare systems in Europe.

Urine screening for patients with developmental disabilities detected a patient with creatine transporter deficiency due to a novel missense mutation in SLC6A8

Creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is an example of X-linked intellectual disability syndromes, caused by mutations in SLC6A8 on Xq28. Although this is the second most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disabilities in Europe or America after Fragile X syndrome, information on the morbidity of this disease is limited in Japan. Using the HPLC screening method we have established recently, we examined samples of urine of 105 patients (73 males and 32 females) with developmental disabilities at our medical center. And we have found a family with three ID boys with a novel missense mutation in SLC6A8. This is the second report of a Japanese family case of CTD. A systematic diagnostic system of this syndrome should be established in Japan to enable us to estimate its frequency and treatment.

Job Satisfaction and Domains of Job Satisfaction for Older Workers with Disabilities in Europe

This paper analyzes the levels of job satisfaction reported by older workers (aged 50–64) with and without disability by using an aggregating approach in which job satisfaction is seen as a combination of various job satisfaction domains (physical effort, time pressure, level of freedom, capability to develop new skills, support in the workplace, recognition of the work, salary, promotion prospect and job security). Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, we estimate a two-layer model based on the interrelation between the different domains of job satisfaction and wherein the individual’s overall job satisfaction depends on each of these domains. The results show that the levels of satisfaction with the recognition of the work, support in difficult situations and physical effort have a significant effect on the overall job satisfaction reported by limited disabled workers. For this group, the trade-offs between the domains recognition with work and support and satisfaction with salary are especially high. These findings can help organizations, managers and policy makers to design or modify current jobs to make them more attractive in terms of satisfaction for limited disabled older workers.