Nature Of Disability Research Articles

Health status and disability in persons with spinal cord injuries in South Africa and Kenya

Background: There is a lack of understanding regarding the nature of disabilities and functioning limitations associated with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in developing economies given limited healthcare resources.Aim: Our purpose was to assess and compare SCI-related disability among individuals with SCI in South Africa and Kenya to inform rehabilitation service planning.Settings: Two hundred individuals from South Africa and 90 from Kenya with SCI took part in this cross-sectional survey study, examining the comprehensive functioning of individuals with long-term SCI.Methods: This study utilised the International SCI (InSCI) Community Survey questionnaire. Subsections of the questionnaire were used to investigate the differences in the period-prevalence of secondary medical conditions, activity limitations and participation restrictions in persons with SCI.Results: In both countries, sexual dysfunction (55% – 57%), pain (48% – 49%), spasticity (41% – 42%) and bladder dysfunction (27% – 60%) emerged as the predominant secondary medical complications, with sexual dysfunction and pain showing overlap. There was no notable superiority in terms of treatment rates for secondary medical conditions between countries; however, exceptions were found. Both countries experienced similar overlaps in prevalent activity limitations and participation restrictions, including standing unsupported, using the toilet, bladder and bowel impairments, using public transport and reaching destinations. However, the Kenyan cohort showed significantly higher prevalence rates compared to the South African cohort for challenges related to carrying out daily routines, getting to destinations and using public transportation, while maintaining intimate relationships was more prevalent in South Africa.Conclusion: This study provides insight into the similarities and differences in both the nature and prevalence of disability in two developing economies. It appears that universal functioning patterns after SCI exist in the two countries, and a further need emerged to examine these functioning problems on other major life areas.Contribution: While some functioning problems could be addressed through healthcare and rehabilitation alone, others will require improved coordination and a whole-of-government approach, namely issues related to participation, community integration and inclusion.

Accessible autonomous transportation and services: voice of the consumer – understanding end-user priorities

Purpose This study aimed to explore the requirements for accessible Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and AV services from a consumer perspective, focusing on people with disabilities (PwDs) and older adults. Methods Two national surveys were conducted, capturing current transportation trends and AV priorities. Participants (n = 922) with disabilities and older adults were included in the analysis. Results Transportation choices exhibited significant divergence based on the underlying causes of disabilities, showcasing distinct inclinations and impediments within each category. AV services, encompassing family conveyance and package delivery, proved integral, but their specific desirability fluctuated in accordance with the nature of disabilities. Notably, medical appointments emerged as the foremost AV utilisation requirement, particularly pronounced among individuals with hearing impairments. Preferences for orchestrating AV rides and the preferred vehicle types displayed disparities linked to the various disability classifications. The employment of mobile applications, websites, and text messages were preferred mediums for arranging rides. Features such as automated route guidance and collision prevention garnered unanimous precedence among AV attributes. Key priorities, spanning wheelchair accessibility, user profiles, and seamless communication with AVs, were universally emphasised across all participant clusters. The study indicated a moderate comfort level with AV deployment, implying the potential for favourable reception within the population of PwDs and older adults. Conclusion The study highlights the significance of considering diverse needs in accessible AV development of vehicle and infrastructure and policies.

Ableism differs by disability, gender and social context: Evidence from vignette experiments.

Existing research on prejudice and discrimination towards disabled people (i.e. 'ableism') has conceptualized it as a general attitude, obscuring the role of social context in its manifestation. We aimed to investigate whether and how ableism manifests differently depending on the nature of the disability, the disabled person's gender and the social context of the interaction. A nationally representative sample of 2000 adults read a series of vignettes about issues faced by disabled people (e.g. employment, relationships). Vignettes varied by presence and type of disability and the disabled person's gender. Judgements about how a disabled person was treated showed clear evidence of ableism towards some conditions (e.g. autism) but not others (e.g. a spine disorder). Judgements about the actions of a disabled person were more nuanced. A disability-gender intersectionality effect was observed for judgements about romantic relationships, with physically disabled women penalized compared to men but no gender difference was observed for intellectual disability. No intersectionality or ableism was observed on a vignette about refusing poorly paid work. We find clear evidence that ableism manifests differently depending on the nature of the individual's disability, their gender and the social context, questioning previous conceptualizations of ableism as a general attitude.

Rehabilitation problems of people with motor disabilities at Babylon center for rehabilitation of the disabled

Abstract Background: The provision of physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation becomes an important process for people with disabilities. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the degree of rehabilitation problems from caregiver’s perspective at Babylon Center for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from the period from March 7th to May 4th, 2023. The study sample, consisted of 117 caregivers, is selected according to non-probability sampling approach. The validity of the questionnaire was verified by experts and its reliability was verified through a pilot study. Data were collected through the self-report techniques and analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The results indicate that the average age of the respondents was 42.15 ± SD = 4.39) years; they were mostly male respondents (79.5%), the Diploma graduated (57.3%), and less than 5 years experienced (59.8%). The degree of rehabilitation problems of people with motor disabilities was high in physical and psychological, and average in social problems. There is a negative correlation between rehabilitation problems and different genders, educational levels, and years of experience for caregivers. Conclusions: The study concludes that rehabilitation problems in terms of physical and psychological problems are very significant and are influenced by the professional characteristics of caregivers such as gender, educational level, and experience. It is recommended that the importance of educating and training various rehabilitation care providers about the nature of disability and ways to deal with it, especially for the physically disabled is highly recommended.

Denying a Unified Concept of Disability.

This paper argues that there are reasons to believe that there is no single concept or category which demarcates all individuals who have a disability from those individuals who do not. The paper begins by describing that I call 'a Unified Concept View of Disability' and the role that such a view plays in debates about the nature of disability. After considering reasons to think that our concept of disability is not unified in the way that the Unified Concept View assumes, I outline what a non-unified approach to disability might look like. The paper concludes by considering implications of rejecting the Unified Concept View of disability.

A brief history of special education policy on the inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia

AbstractBackgroundThe demand for educational and social inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities continues to grow throughout the world. Factors contributing to the increasing demand include family advocacy efforts, shifting views about the nature of disability, and increased international recognition of the rights of children with disabilities. In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia began investing in educational services and supports for students with disabilities in both segregated and mainstream education settings.MethodsPolicies for children with intellectual disabilities were identified and analysed using the disability policy analysis model recommended by Turnbull & Stowe (2014). Then in two subsequent rounds of analysis, two other researchers reviewed, confirmed, and verified the conclusions.FindingsSaudi Arabia's recent policy provisions for children with disabilities have included an emphasis on inclusion in general education schools. However, as with many countries, these policies have not yet been systematically implemented. Many students with more complex learning and behavioural needs continue to be excluded from general education classrooms.ConclusionRecommendations to support the implementation of inclusive educational services for students with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia are provided.

Influence Caregivers’ Education Level on Access to Rehabilitation Therapy for Children with Disabilities In Mingora City, Pakistan

Access of rehabilitation services for children with disabilities remains a problem in Mingora City Pakistan. In addition, the level of education of caregivers impact access to rehabilitation services. However, many caregivers are not aware of the rehabilitation services as others cannot read and write. The study adopted cross-sectional study, from May to September 2020 in Mingora Paksitan. Stratified random sampling based on the regions in Mingora was used to select 108 children with disabilities. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data.  Caregivers were asked to fill questionnaires on behalf of the children with disabilities and data analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentages and mean were utilized and results [resented using tables and figures. The study concludes that caregivers’ education level influence access to rehabilitation therapy for children with disabilities. Most caregivers had attained secondary level of education and primary education. Level of education may imply the level of awareness and understanding about nature of disabilities and access to rehabilitation therapy among children. Most caregivers had attained secondary level of education and primary education. Level of education may imply the level of awareness and understanding about nature of disabilities and access to rehabilitation therapy among children. Rehabilitation centers may need to come up with training programmes for caregivers with disable children. These rehabilitation centers may be financed by the government and other organizations to be conducting periodic training and awareness on disability and rehabilitation therapy. Keywords: Education, Rehabilitation Therapy, Children with Disabilities, Mingora City

Toward a Multidimensional Understanding of Later Life Disability: A Latent Profile Analysis

Disability is difficult to define succinctly. Current literature on disability has primarily focused on physical functional limitations. However, relying on a single dimension or index cannot accurately represent disability as the experience of disability is nuanced and complex. To address these gaps, this study aims to understand the multidimensional nature of disability among retired, community-dwelling older adults. Using a sample of 414 older adults between the ages of 72 and 106 years (M=84.84, SD=4.56), latent profile analysis was employed to identify classes based on five indicators of disability across three domains. The five indicators of disability included difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive impairment, physical impairment, sensory impairment, and participation restrictions. Three classes were found to represent the data best. The most favorable and highly functioning group comprised the highest number of participants (n=242, 59.5%). The next group, class 2 (n=157, 37.9%), was characterized by high physical impairment and ADL-difficulty. The smallest group, class 3 (n=15, 3.6%), had the highest ADL-difficulty and participation restrictions but drastically lower cognitive and sensory impairment. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that class membership was related to sociodemographic characteristics. Finally, class membership predicted several mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms, positive affect, and life satisfaction in the expected direction. If supported by future work, these findings could inform practitioners in developing more specific interventions relevant to older adults based on their disability profiles. Understanding various combinations of disablement has potential implications for services and interventions to be tailored to individuals’ distinct disability-related needs.

Implications of Disability for Functional Trajectory, Service Use, and Expenditures

People with disabilities face a diverse array of health care and support needs. These needs can vary by disability type, degree, and timing of the advent of functional limitations. These differences have implications for needed health care service use and related expenditures. The symposium will open with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored analysis of adult disability-associated health care expenditures, both nationally and by U.S. state, in total, by per adult, by per adult with disability, and by payer, to illustrate the contribution and variation of these expenditures to individual states and the health care system. We will next present a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation effort to identify onset and patterns of reduced functional ability at end of life for older adults with and without dementia as related to other comorbidities. The last paper will present a Commonwealth Foundation study on older adults with functional disabilities and multiple chronic conditions, comparing those with high health care needs versus the subset of those people who are also high cost. Patterns of utilization differed between these two groups, and by state. These findings have implications for the development of care models that might best meet people’s needs. Our discussant will respond to the studies’ findings and discuss the important role that efforts to understand the nature of disability and functional status and the scale and scope of service use and costs have for people with disabilities.

Palliative care for adults with intellectual disability.

Contemporary disability principles and values suggest that adults with intellectual disability should be able to access and participate in any mainstream service rather than having a separate service for them. In the case of healthcare services, achievement of optimal access to and participation in healthcare by adults with intellectual disability requires the presence of both adequate disability supports for the person and reasonable adjustments to generic health systems to enable a person-centred approach to care. Development of an interface between people with lived experience of intellectual disability, disability and health sectors help clarify the required nature of disability supports and types of adjustments to mainstream health services. The article describes a case study of an adult with intellectual disability with a serious illness warranting palliative care, and focusses on the reasonable adjustments to mainstream core palliative care principles for adults with intellectual disability.

Physical Activity Participation and Barriers for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities

ABSTRACT Children and adolescents with disabilities benefit from physical activity. However, this population has lower fitness levels and higher rates of obesity than their peers, suggesting that they are not meeting physical activity guidelines and are experiencing barriers to participation. The purpose of this study was to quantify physical activity participation and barriers experienced by children and adolescents with disabilities in our area. Forty-five parents or caregivers of children aged 2‒18 with physical and/or intellectual disabilities completed a questionnaire regarding physical activity participation in an average week and barriers to participation, prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data were analysed using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Ninety-one percent (41/45) of the children and adolescents with disabilities did not participate in sufficient physical activity to meet physical activity guidelines irrespective of type and severity of the disability (p > 0.05). Physical activity participation decreased with increasing age (r = −0.478, p = 0.001). The most commonly identified barrier was ‘environments and programmes not able to handle nature of disability.’ In our sample, the majority of children and adolescents with disabilities did not meet physical activity guidelines, with access reported as a primary barrier. This may have negative consequences on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents with disabilities. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may have worsened the rates of physical activity participation noted in our study.

Polysemic Interpretations: Examining How Women with Visual Impairments Incorporate, Resist, and Subvert Advertising Content

This article takes a feminist disability studies approach to the analysis of the responses of women with visual impairments to representations of blindness, disability, and gender in advertising. Empirical data gathered via semi-structured interviews with women who are visually impaired (N = 5) enhances existing understandings of oppressed audiences’ polysemic interpretations of advertisements. The research findings reveal participants’ subversion of stereotypical approaches to visual impairments, ocularcentrism, and gendered constructions of blindness, which are found in advertisements (N = 3) produced post-2000 in the United Kingdom and United States. Participants highlighted subtle stereotyping in advertisements through exploring the intersecting nature of disability and gender identities. Advertisements were used by participants as prompts for reasserting their affirmative senses of self and as a means of critiquing sociocultural attitudes toward women with visual impairments. Recommendations for future research and practice in relation to advertising polysemy and the representation of disabled women in advertising are provided.

СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ОБУСЛОВЛЕННОСТЬ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИНВАЛИДНОСТИ В ЗАБАЙКАЛЬСКОМ КРАЕ

Significance. Disability remains a pressing problem in the modern society and each country is developing its social and economic policy for persons with disabilities according to the level of its development. The scale and nature of disability have been changing over time and are influenced by demographic, social, and economic factors. Purpose. To assess disability indicators and identify the most significant socioeconomic factors affecting their dynamics. Material and methods. The study was carried out by processing data from the state statistical reports of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for the period 2017-2020, calculating dynamic series indicators, and the Spearman correlation analysis method. Results. Disability indicators in the Trans-Baikal Territory are positive. They are mainly accounted for by malignant neoplasms and diseases of the circulatory system. The study has proved the relationship between the unemployment rate and primary disability among the working population and recurrent disability among the adult working population (direct strong relationship), income and the level of primary and recurrent disability among the working population (inverse strong relationship), dilapidated housing and the level of primary and recurrent adult disability (direct strong relationship), and the share of housing with heating and the level of primary and recurrent disability among the working population (reverse strong relationship). Conclusion. During the period under study, the level of disability decreased. The relationship between socioeconomic factors and disability indicators has been proven.

Disability in Islam: a Sufi perspective

In Islam, the issue of disability and vulnerability has only been addressed at the sociological or theological-legal level. The studies mainly highlighted the societal nature of disability and the legal issues faced by vulnerable groups, with theological issues thus remaining intimately linked to legal issues. Vulnerability is a positive notion present in the Qur’an and hadith, generating legislation for deficient individuals that insist on the duties that fall to the society. The objective of this communication will thus be to examine precisely the possibility based on the spiritual dimension of making a theology of vulnerability in Islam. Sufism in particular appears to be a fundamental reading key and remains a broad field of investigation to be explored in the investigation of the question. Sufism places the vulnerability of human beings at the heart of their spiritual journey since it participates in their ontological condition as servants, the only guarantee of the emergence of God’s power and presence among us. The interest will therefore be to understand to what extent the teachings of Sufism can offer a contribution for disability discourse.

Value creation and destruction in the marketisation of human services

PurposeGovernments are increasingly marketising human services in developed countries, with the aim of giving individuals more choice and control over the support they receive. Marketisation effectively transforms “clients” into “consumers” who are exposed to competitive market conditions and the marketing strategies of service organisations. However, the heterogeneity amongst citizens leaves some segments of populations more vulnerable within marketised systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the marketisation of human services on the value delivered to consumers of disability services. Given that the nature of disabilities can vary greatly, the study also examines the impact of the degree of disability on value creation and destruction for disability service consumers.Design/methodology/approachQualitative, individual-depth interviews were conducted with 35 participants: 17 were consumers of disability services (either because they have a disability or care for someone who does) and 18 were disability service providers (for example, managers of disability programmes).FindingsFactors that influence value creation and destruction include quality and turnover of staff, organisation and communication of service providers, ability to advocate effectively, level of funding and accessibility of services. Heterogeneity amongst consumers is also identified as a key factor affecting the creation and destruction of value.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply marketing techniques, such as market segmentation, to identify heterogeneity in relation to value creation and value destruction in the context of human services. It also considers the notion of consumer vulnerability, stemming from disability, as an important lens through which the outcomes of marketised human service systems can be evaluated.

INFERIORITY COMPLEX, ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENTLY-ABLED STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL

Purposes of the Study: The main purpose of the present study was to explore the Level of Inferiority Complex and Adjustment Problems of the Differently-Abled students. Besides this, the other purposes of the present study were to find out the relation of Inferiority Complex with Adjustment Problems and Academic Performance of the Differently-Abled students in the state of West Bengal.
 Methodology: The investigators used Survey based Quantitative method for the present study. The sample consists of 86 Differently-Abled Students from 14 (fourteen) selected special and normal schools which were situated in the district Hooghly, Bankura & Purulia in the state of West Bengal. The simple random sampling technique has been used for the selection of samples. The investigators have developed two tools, namely Questionnaire for Measuring Inferiority Complex and the Adjustment Problem Inventory by themselves to measure the Level of Inferiority Complex and Adjustment Problem of Differently-Abled Students. The present investigators have used SPSS (Version-20) followed by MEAN; S.D.; 't'-Test; ANOVA and Graph for analyzing the data.
 Major Findings of the Study: The overall results indicate that the Levels of Inferiority Complex and Adjustment Problem of the Differently-Abled students were Moderate. It was found that Gender, Age and Reading Class had no significant influence on the Inferiority Complex of the Differently-Abled students. It was also explored that the Inferiority Complex and Academic Performance of the Differently-Abled students were negatively interrelated with each other. It means that Academic Performance is decreased by increasing the level of Inferiority Complex of the Differently-Abled students.
 Applications of the Study: This study will be helpful for the parents, teachers, administrators, counsellors, educational policymakers as well as our society to treat the Differently-Abled students in a better way.
 Novelty/Originality of the Study: Through the present study, it was found that the level of Inferiority Complex of the Differently-Abled students can be influenced by their Nature of Disability and the Number of Sisters & Brothers. It was a novel finding of the study.

Medical rehabilitation for coronavirus infection: new challenges for physical and rehabilitation medicine in Russia

Coronavirus infection causes lung damage and leads to the development of disabling conditions. The development of the Covid-19 pandemic leads to a one-stage increase in the number of patients who need assistance not only from infectious disease specialists and intensive care specialists, but also from rehabilitation specialists. However, patients suffering from other non-infectious conditions need rehabilitation despite the pandemic. Thus, rehabilitation specialists are faced with new tasks to organize rehabilitation in the epidemic for both patients with Covid-19 and patients at high risk of infection, but without coronavirus infection, to develop specific programs for pulmonary rehabilitation, data collection on the nature of disability, organization of outpatient programs and telerehabilitation.

Problems Affecting the Accessibility of Physically-Challenged Individuals to Intermediate Public Transport Services in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract The greatest challenge of physically-challenged individuals is mobility, thereby making access to public transportation essential to independent living for these individuals. The study was conducted in Oyo State. Multistage sampling method comprising purposive and simple random sampling was used to select a sample size of 226 students from three special education centres in the state. Findings revealed that factors such as operators’ impatience/discrimination, waiting time and lack of assistance were major problems that affects accessibility to IPTs. Furthermore, results showed that difficulties experienced by the physically-challenged individuals differ significantly by the nature of disability as evidenced by a chi-square value of 37.218, p<0.05. It was therefore recommended that government should listen more to these transport disadvantaged people living with disabilities and integrate their concerns/suggestions in the design, implementation and monitoring of transport infrastructure and services as well as providing sustainable transport means to their transport challenges.

Proposed method for evaluation and categorization of functional capacity of children, adolescents, and adults with cardiac diseases to bring them in existing social justice system by creating the cardiac disability criteria

IntroductionEmerging epidemiological trends in India indicate the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) demanding a need of a social support system. Yet, the list of 21 benchmark disabilities notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, does not include CVDs under the newly enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016. While the RPWD Act 2016 has acknowledged the dynamic nature of disabilities associated with congenital diseases like thalassemia, it has also provided an opportunity to bring in “cardiac disability” under its tenets. This would allow India to adopt strategies for the benefit of cardiac patients in accordance with policies adopted by developed countries such as the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK), and Canada. This document is to initiate a thought process of recruitment of cardiac patients in the social justice system.Aims and objectives(1) To define cardiac disability, (2) to categorize cardiac diseases/defects (groups A–C) according to severity and need for interventions, (3) to identify operated and unoperated patients with normal functional capacity and their eligibility to avail normal opportunities similar to their peer groups, (4) to create a comprehensive cardiac disability scoring (CCDS) system for disability certification based on subjective and objective evaluation of functional capacity and the corresponding heart disease category group, and (5) to create a reference literature for the issues of education, employability, insurability, and vocational counseling based on this document.MethodologyThe evolution of this manuscript has been discussed in view of relevant observations made by a team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, intensivists, pediatricians, social workers, etc.ConclusionThis manuscript suggests a CCDS system to lay down criteria for disability status for eligible patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. It intends to offer a unique scientific tool to address the psychosocial and socio-economic bias against patients with heart diseases of heterogeneous nature.

Defense mechanisms of persons with locomotor disabilities

Background: According to World Health Organization 1, billion people -15% of the World population lives with various disabilities. Disabilities restricts individual’s participation of social life and this create limiting the maximum utilization of resources and hence the person crippled with psychological issues. Persons with disabilities were used various defense mechanisms as coping strategies to survive and compensate with their disabilities. The present study investigates the types of defense mechanisms used by persons with locomotor disabilities.
 Materials and methods: The total sample consists of 100 participants which include 50 males and 50 females. Among them 46 participants were congenitally disabled and 54 were acquired disabled. The participant’s age ranges between 18-60 years. The descriptive survey method was used for the present study and purposive sampling method adopted for sample selection. Defensive Behaviour Rating Scale (Sathya Giri Rajan, 1991) was used for data collection. The data was analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 for windows. 
 Results: Female participants with locomotor disability have reported more reaction formation than male participants with locomotor disability. In the comparison of defense mechanisms of participants with locomotor disability with respect to their gender, male participants have reported more compensation, projection, identification, belittling and reaction formation and significantly lower repression than females. Females have reported significantly more daydreaming than males. Persons with congenital disability have higher sublimation than persons with an acquired disability.
 Conclusion: Researchers have long been fascinated by man’s defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are commonly used to protect the sense of self and help to defend people from painful emotions. In the present study, the investigator attempts to find out defense mechanisms of persons with locomotor disability and evaluation were made how they cope with the situation in relation to their nature of disability. The present study found that people with locomotor disability use both adaptive and maladaptive defense mechanisms, predominantly maladaptive defenses.