Disabilities Face Research Articles

Needs, motivations, constraints and benefits of people with disabilities participating in tourism activities: the view of formal caregivers

ABSTRACT Although access to leisure is a right for all, people with disabilities (PwD) face great constraints in exercising this right. Using a qualitative approach, this study examines the view of a group of Portuguese social organizations (PSO) that support PwD concerning the needs, motivations and constraints that they face when participating in tourism activities, as well as the benefits obtained through the participation in these activities. The results highlight that PwD are strongly motivated to participate in tourism activities, but they face a great number of constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural). Moreover, according to the view of PSO, PwD feel the benefits obtained from their participation in tourism activities intensely, which contributes to enhancing their well-being. The paper ends with strategies that should be implemented in tourism destinations to overcome the travel constraints faced by PwD to increase their participation in tourism activities.

Family factors to predict adolescents' emotional health by decision tree model: A comparison between normally developed group and chronic-condition group.

The increasing trend of adolescents' emotional symptoms has become a global public health problem. Especially, adolescents with chronic diseases or disabilities face more risks of emotional problems. Ample evidence showed family environment associates with adolescents' emotional health. However, the categories of family-related factors that most strongly influence adolescents' emotional health remained unclear. Additionally, it was not known that whether family environment influences emotional health differently between normally developed adolescents and those with chronic condition(s). Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) database provides mass data about adolescents' self-reported health and social environmental backgrounds, which offers opportunities to apply data-driven approaches to determine critical family environmental factors that influence adolescents' health. Thus, based on the national HBSC data in the Czech Republic collected from 2017 to 2018, the current study adopted a data-driven method, classification-regression-decision-tree analysis, to investigate the impacts of family environmental factors, including demographic factors and psycho-social factors on adolescents' emotional health. The results suggested that family psycho-social functions played a significant role in maintaining adolescents' emotional health. Both normally developed adolescents and chronic-condition(s) adolescents benefited from communication with parents, family support, and parental monitoring. Besides, for adolescents with chronic condition(s), school-related parental support was also meaningful for decreasing emotional problems. In conclusion, the findings suggest the necessity of interventions to strengthen family-school communication and cooperation to improve chronic-disease adolescents' mental health. The interventions aiming to improve parent-adolescent communication, parental monitoring, and family support are essential for all adolescents.

Service models for providing sex education to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities face barriers to accessing sex education, including a lack of professional ownership over providing sex education. Limited information exists regarding educator training background, funding structure, and who they serve. We interviewed 58 sex educators of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We integrated thematic analysis and composite narratives to identify service models and the benefits and challenges associated with them. We identified seven service delivery models: clinic-based board-certified behavior analysis; mental health therapists; small businesses; public health not-for-profits; disability programs; high school-based educators; and university-based educators; and three themes that addressed the strengths and challenges of these service models: Instructional Implications of the Short-term, Drop-in Approach; Getting on the Same Page; and Questioning Who Should Teach Sex Education. Understanding these typologies and their strengths and challenges provide insights into how we can build capacity for sex education services.

Predictors of access to healthcare services within 1month after stroke in a developing country: A longitudinal prospective study.

Globally, people with disabilities face difficulties accessing care, resulting in worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. However, information regarding access to healthcare services for stroke survivors in developing countries is scarce. To identify predictors of access to healthcare services within 1month of hospital discharge in a developing country (Brazil). For six months, individuals from a stroke unit, aged ≥20years, after their first stroke and without previous disability, were included and evaluated at hospital discharge for socio-demographic (sex, age, education, and socio-economic level) and clinical-functional (severity of stroke and level of disability) characteristics. The number and type of referrals to healthcare services provided by hospital staff were also recorded. One month after hospital discharge, data regarding access to healthcare services obtained by the subjects were collected. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the number of referrals and access to healthcare services obtained by the subjects. To identify the predictors of access, a binary logistic regression was used (α=5%). A total of 78 individuals were evaluated one month after hospital discharge, all with at least one referral. The total access to healthcare services within 1month of stroke was significantly lower than the total number of referrals (p<0.001). Sex (odds ratios (OR)=18.92; p=0.01) and educational level (OR=1.48; p=0.04) were significant predictors of access. Being female and having low education levels were predictors of access to healthcare services within 1month of stroke in a developing country. In addition, the access was below expectations, compromising the integrality of care and national and international recommendations, which is a concern given the need for early care to obtain better results in health and functional outcomes.

Adapting to sport and country: Immigrant athletes with disabilities

The benefits of disability sport are numerous and widespread; however, current research on motivations and lived experiences of athletes with disabilities has almost exclusively focused on white males. No studies have focused on the immigrant experience despite the fact that approximately 14% of the United States population are immigrants. Immigrants and people with disabilities face similar barriers, and at the intersection is an unexplored niche group of immigrants with disabilities with unique perspectives yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to understand the impacts, motivations, and lived experiences of immigrants who participate in disability sports in the United States. Fifteen immigrants with disabilities were interviewed. They originated from 11 countries and have participated in disability sport competitively. Results indicate increased opportunities and accessibility in the United States compared to their home countries, and that participation in disability sport increased athletes’ confidence. Additionally, most participants noted that despite their sociocultural diversity, their shared identity as athletes with disabilities overshadowed any real or perceived prejudices related to race or origin. Finally, in sport participation, intrinsic motivations included physical and mental health, self-reliance, independence, and athletic competition.

어댑티브 클로딩 디자인을 위한 의생활 실태 분석

Clothing behavior is essential factor in the process of building one’s self-esteem and protecting one’s body. However, people with disabilities face few options when choosing appropriate clothing for their social lives in Korea. The purpose of this research is to explore clothing behavior for wheelchair users with functional, psychological, and aesthetical aspects and to analyze design factors for adaptive clothing design based on these aspects. To explore wheelchair users’ challenges and experiences in clothing behavior, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with five care-givers at the center for independent living for disabled people in South Korea upon IRB approval. The interview data was interwoven with indirect observation data from the top five ranked YouTube videos created by wheelchair users who are able to work and socialize. The multiple layered data was analyzed based on the three levels of coding scheme used in grounded theory analysis. As a result, five themes were emerged from the data. First, wheelchair users face problems because of diverse physical features and environmental barriers. Second, There is a lack of clothing that meets the psychological and aesthetical needs of wheelchair users to choose in their social lives. Third, there are material-related problems such as inappropriate fabric that is susceptible to contamination and prone to becoming threadbare. Fourth, wheelchair users face limitations in dressing and undressing with a diverse range of reasons. Fifth, wheelchair users do not have enough clothing options to find a comfortable fit, especially regarding patterns, details, and fabric. These factors have co-relationship for wheelchair users to improve their self-esteem and meet their aesthetical needs beyond functionality. The results showed that adaptive clothing design for wheelchair users should be considered these factors holistically in the future.

Comparative Analysis of Usability and Accessibility of Kiosks for People with Disabilities

Owing to technological advancements, kiosks have become more prevalent in public places. When using such kiosks, elderly persons and people with disabilities face problems related to accessibility and usability, such as difficulties in kiosk operations such as menu selection and in accessing the kiosk space. Previous studies have usually included accessibility as a subset of usability. However, in this study, we aim to redefine the relationship between these two concepts with a focus on newly emerging kiosk devices. First, we performed a literature review to thoroughly analyze these concepts. Then, we conducted a focus group interview (FGI) targeting people with visual, hearing, and physical impairments to learn about the difficulties that these people face when using kiosks. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of accessibility and usability related to kiosks and designed a diagram that illustrated the relationship between them. While accessibility and usability shared similarities regarding consistency and user control, they differed deeply regarding their subcategory items; many opinions on accessibility were related to essential functions, whereas many on usability were related to psychological factors such as additional functions or personal preferences. These results can be useful when creating laws and guidelines regarding the accessibility and usability of kiosks or when developing kiosk functions.

Ableism, racism, and the quality of life of Black, Indigenous, people of colour with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Research indicates Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC) with intellectual and developmental disabilities face disparities in quality of life outcomes. This study's aim was to examine how ableism and racism impacted the quality of life of BIPOC with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Using a multilevel linear regression, we analysed secondary quality of life outcome data from Personal Outcome Measures® interviews with 1393 BIPOC with intellectual and developmental disabilities and implicit ableism and racism data from the 128 regions of the United States in which they lived (discrimination data came from 7.4 million people). When BIPOC with intellectual and developmental disabilities lived in regions of the United States which were more ableist and racist, they had a lower quality of life, regardless of their demographics. Ableism and racism are a direct threat to BIPOC with intellectual and developmental disabilities' health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

Digital coping strategies of young people living with cognitive disabilities: using emotion-focused and problem-focused coping in digital relationships

Studies indicate that people living with cognitive disabilities face digital social challenges, i.e. challenges in digital interactions. However, few studies have focused on their coping strategies. To bridge this knowledge gap and facilitate constructive digital experiences with others, this study explores how young people living with cognitive disabilities cope with digital social challenges. The study used interviews, video-diaries and workshops with 25 young individuals (aged 14–27) living with cognitive disabilities. The data analysis revealed three main digital social challenges experienced by the study participants: harassment, exclusion and disturbance. Participants manage digital social challenges using emotion-focused coping: acceptance, avoidance and caution, and problem-focused coping: confrontation, blocking, constructing digital relationships and cooperation. We argue that young people living with cognitive disabilities can cope with digital social challenges if they are able to access problem-solving resources, social resources and social support from peers.

Being a Parent of Children with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multi-Method Study of Health, Social Life, and Occupational Situation

Parents of children with disabilities face challenges in their daily lives, but little is known about their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of parents of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada. Forty parents of children with disabilities from Quebec, Canada (mean [SD] age: 41.2 [6.7]; 93% women) were selected from the Ma Vie et la pandémie (MAVIPAN) study. All 40 parents completed the MAVIPAN online questionnaires including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing short 7-item scale (WEMWBS), Social Provisions Scale-10 item (SPS-10), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). A multi-method analysis was used to summarize questionnaires and thematically explore parents' experiences. Parents reported deterioration in their mental (50.0%) and physical (27.5%) health, with moderate levels of depression, stress, and anxiety, yet moderately positive well-being. Additional experiences included reduction in available supports (71.4%) and feelings of social isolation (51.4%). Our results highlighted reduced mental and physical health, limited and modified access to certain services, and reduction of social supports for some parents of children with disabilities. Health professionals, policymakers, and governments should be mindful of these challenges experienced by parents of children with disabilities.

Digital technology design activities—A means for promoting the digital inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities

AbstractBackgroundInformation and communication technology has become an important aspect of everyday life, including community living and social participation. However, people with intellectual disabilities face several societal inequalities, including digital exclusion. Even if people with intellectual disabilities still do not have the same access as others, this group is increasingly involved in digital technology design activities. Although digital technology design activities can lead to several user gains, little is known about how such activities affect digital inclusion. Therefore, we explore whether and how participation in digital technology design activities can support the digital inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities.MethodsWe interviewed seven young adults with intellectual disabilities about their participation in ten digital technology design sessions. We also collected reflective notes from eight support workers who participated in the same design activities. The interviews were analysed thematically.FindingsThematic analysis generated four themes describing how participation in technology design activities can support the digital inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities: improving digital skills and knowledge, displaying skills and competence, increased interest in technology use, and influencing and adapting technology.ConclusionsParticipation in digital technology design activities with support workers can provide new opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities and can help overcome several digital activity barriers. Designers and researchers should increasingly, and actively involve people with intellectual disability in digital technology design activities as it can support and promote digital inclusion.

Types and Sources of Social Support Accessible to University Students with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

University students with disabilities face an increased risk of experiencing negative implications in educational, psychological, and social spheres during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at assessing various dimensions of social support and its sources during the COVID-19 pandemic that availed university students with disabilities. This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 53 university students with disabilities. We administered the Social Support Scale (SSC) to assess five dimensions: informational, emotional, esteem, social integration and tangible support, and access to social support from four sources: family, friends, teachers, and colleagues. Multiple regression analysis showed that university students with disabilities mainly relied upon their friends for informational support (β = 0.64; p < 0.001), emotional support (β = 0.52; p < 0.001), and social integration support (β = 0.57; p < 0.001). Family members (β = 0.406; p < 0.01) and colleagues (β = 0.36; p < 0.01) provided esteem support to students with disabilities. Support from teachers demonstrated an association with informational support (β = 0.24; p < 0.05). The findings from the current study suggest that students with disabilities primarily sought informational, emotional, and social integration support from their peers. Although teachers were the primary source of informational support, emotional and esteem support were not found to be significantly associated with them. These findings necessitate exploring the underlying factors and how to enhance them during unusual circumstances such as online distance education and social distancing.

Use of Cross-Line Method in Helping to Master Basic Multiplication Skills for Students With Learning Disabilities

Mathematics is an essential subject for students with learning disabilities in order to meet their special educational needs. This subject emphasizes numerical skills and skills in operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This allows them to manage their money and time and know how to do the measurement so that they can apply their mathematical skills in various contexts. However, many students with learning disabilities face a variety of difficulties when learning mathematics, particularly when it comes to multiplication operations. Hence, this study aims to investigate the use of the cross-line method in helping pupils with learning disabilities improve their ability to solve multiplication operation questions. This is a qualitative case study designed for five pupils with learning disabilities, aided by a special education teacher. The study was conducted in Chinese vernacular schools located in Kinta Utara, Perak. The study used document analysis and interviews for data collection. Overall, the findings of the study showed that the pupils with learning disabilities faced three basic problems in multiplication. The problems consist of their understanding of the concept of multiplication, memorizing multiplication facts, and using ineffective techniques in solving multiplication operation questions. The Cross-Line method was used to assist students with learning disabilities in improving their basic multiplication skills. In addition, the findings of the study also showed that the use of the Cross-Line method was able to improve the positive behaviors among the pupils while studying multiplication topics in the classroom. The Cross-Line Method was also able to help the pupils with learning disabilities master multiplication skills with ease. In conclusion, the study shows that the use of the Cross-Line method will be able to help pupils with learning disabilities master basic multiplication, and it can be used as an alternative method for mathematics teachers to teach the topic of multiplication operations more effectively to the pupils with learning disabilities

More than just double discrimination: a scoping review of the experiences and impact of ableism and racism in employment

Purpose Research has shed light on the employment barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and by racialized people. The challenges faced by people belonging to both marginalized groups are less well-understood. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine existing research on labour market and workplace experiences of racialized people with disabilities, and to identify how ableism and racism intersect to shape employment experiences and outcomes. Methods Seven international databases were searched, covering the period from 2000 to April 2022. Four reviewers independently conducted the screening, and data extraction and analysis were performed on 44 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Results The findings highlighted rates of workplace ableism and racism (including discrimination allegations and perceived discrimination); types and forms of experiences arising from the intersection of ableism and racism (including unique individual stereotyping and systemic and institutional discrimination); and the role of other demographic variables. The intersection of ableism and racism impacted labour market outcomes, well-being in the workplace, and career/professional advancement. Conclusions Our review highlights the need for greater in-depth research focusing explicitly on the intersection of ableism and racism (and of other forms of discrimination), to better understand and address the barriers that racialized people with disabilities face in employment. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The experiences of racialized people with disabilities have been under explored, and clinicians and rehabilitation specialists should consider incorporating intersectionality into their practices to better understand and serve these populations. Ableism and racism do not operate in isolation, and clinicians and other professionals need to be aware that racialized people with disabilities may face unique challenges and barriers as a result. Service providers should aim to address gaps and inequities in services faced by racialized people with disabilities which may prevent them from finding and/or maintaining meaningful employment.

Oral health problems and dental service utilization in children with hearing impairment: a narrative review

Children with hearing disability face challenges on accessing healthcare services caused by their lack of ability to express their oral health problems and affect their oral health status. This narrative review aims to explore oral health status in hearing impaired children and discuss in detail about dental service utilization in children with hearing impairment. Many studies assessed oral health status of children with hearing impairment. A comprehensive retrieval of the English literature from 2012 to 2022 was done in PubMed, ScienceDirect and ProQuest. Oral health assessments including dental caries, gingival problems and periodontal condition. Healthcare seeking behavior of the parents of hearing-impaired children is reflected by dental service utilization. Hearing impaired children have a high prevalence of caries, high caries activity and poor gingival condition compared to their counterparts. There are unmet dental treatment needs due to their dependence on parents or caregiver on decision making. Proper oral health educational method for hearing impaired children and their parents or caregiver is needed to improve oral health status and dental service utilization.

Exploring the Perspectives of Adults Aging With Long-Term Physical Disabilities on Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study.

Adults aging with long-term physical disabilities (AAwPD) face personal and environmental barriers to living independently, but little is known about their perspectives on and experiences with physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of AAwPD on PA. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with AAwPD were conducted virtually via phone or videoconference. A convenience sample of AAwPD aged 45-65 and living with a physical disability for at least 5years was recruited through aging organizations, disability organizations, and social media in St. Louis, Missouri until thematic saturation was reached (n = 20). Participants were asked semi-structured interview questions about their perspectives and experiences with PA following an interview guide developed by disability, aging, and qualitative research experts. Data were analyzed using text analysis in NVivo 12. Codes were developed into themes by the research team and validated using member checking methods. Four themes emerged from the data: barriers and facilitators to engaging in PA, motivations and beliefs regarding PA, benefits of PA, and PA routines and habits. Participants reported a desire to engage in more PA but described barriers such as pain and fatigue symptoms, secondary health conditions, lack of social support, and fear of falling. Accessibility of facilities and equipment (eg, lack of ramps or equipment not at wheelchair height) and transportation barriers (eg, inconvenient schedules or excessive wait times) were specifically described as major environmental barriers. Most participants' reported PA routines did not meet the quantity or intensity levels recommended by current guidelines. These results may help inform healthcare providers, community programs, and future interventions to improve PA levels for AAwPD, an underserved but growing demographic.

OPERATIONALIZING ORAL HEALTH OUTCOME MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE ORAL HEALTH OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) face significant challenges in preventing oral diseases. They also lack access to high-quality oral health care in professional settings. To understand the effects of oral conditions on their lives and health, it is necessary to assess their oral health outcome measures. For those with mild ID, who possess adequate linguistic and cognitive abilities, accessibility features should be incorporated in the dental patient reported outcome (dPRO) measures. But many other individuals often lack the linguistic and cognitive ability to self-report through dPRO measures. While self-reported measures are preferable, requiring dPROs in this population would result in a high amount of missing data and the inability to assess interventions for improving their dental health. Thus, there is a need to use proxy-reported outcome (ProxRO) measures, observer reported outcome (ObsRO) measures, and clinician reported outcome (ClinRO) measures among those with ID. This is also a common approach taken by other specialties that work closely with those with ID, where the measures for activities of daily living and adaptive behavior measures use reporting by caregivers. ProxRO measures in dentistry that were created for infants and young children provide a structure for appropriate adaptations and the creation of relevant outcome measures. Including input from the intensely multidisciplinary teams that provide supports for those with ID is key to creating high-quality measures and oral health interventions for those with ID.

Freeman Center for intellectual and developmental disabilities: Patient-centered interdisciplinary care

ObjectivesAdults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) face substantial barriers to accessing high-quality, patient-centered care. This paper describes the development and evolution of the Freeman Center, an integrated, interdisciplinary center developed using feedback from adults with IDD and their family members. MethodsWe evaluated the reach of the Freeman Center services and described the patient population. ResultsAs of November, 2022, 1068 patients were seen at the Freeman Center. These patients represent about 5 % of all people with IDD in Hamilton County Ohio, where the Freeman Center is located. On average in 2022, the Freeman Center provided approximately 380 primary care visits, 47 psychiatry visits, and 85 combined primary care and psychiatry service visits per month. ConclusionsPatient demographic characteristics are largely consistent with the general population of Hamilton County, indicating patients are representative of the county the clinic primarily serves. Further work is needed to evaluate patient outcomes at the Freeman Center.

Does disability necessarily lead to poverty?

It is well known that the existence of disability can lead a person (or his family) into poverty. More specifically, disability may cause a person to face inequality in education and employment, thus adversely affecting his income; The increase of disability related expenditure has led to the reduction of living standards and poverty of the disabled and their families. Taking India and China as examples, this paper analyzes how disability leads to inequality and poverty. This paper argues that the limitations of the health of the disabled, the socio-cultural prejudice against disability and the lack of government support policies have all contributed to the unequal treatment faced by the disabled in many aspects. These inequalities, in turn, directly or indirectly lead to a decrease in the income of disabled persons compared with non-disabled persons; On the other hand, compared with non-disabled persons, disabled persons face an increase in the cost of living, which together leads to relative poverty, often absolute poverty.

VIRTUAL WORLD TECHNOLOGIES IN MANAGING CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITY

In technological era, virtual reality or augmented reality still remains less popular within the fi eld of learning disabilities. Research shows that children with learning disabilities face various challenges in their dayto- day lives dealing with these disorders, demanding massive solutions. This paper addresses the pros and cons of virtual reality in learning disabilities across different age groups by combining theories of virtual worlds and learning disorders. Exciting research in virtual reality focuses on fi nding out how psychotherapies have benefi ts in learning and education. Upon review, it becomes evident that research in the virtual world along with learning disabilities has not yet been examined from a cohesive perspective, illustrating a lack of alliance that determines a more global understanding of the technological advantages of disabilities. Thus, this paper aims to provide educators with an overview of explanations of the virtual world and to ensure appropriate development of VR/AR applications and special assistance for learning disabilities.