Sensory Disabilities Research Articles

Healthcare access for people with disabilities: a scoping review of COVID-19 policies in Europe

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic raised healthcare inequalities, affecting the most vulnerable groups. There is limited evidence of whether the COVID-19 measures and the health system’s preparedness for outbreaks among European countries were sufficient to cover the health access needs of PWDs. Aim To provide a structured overview of the COVID-19 measures and policies addressing access to primary and specialist health services for PWDs during the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Members States (MS) and the United Kingdom (UK), using ten dimensions of healthcare access by Levesque et al. (2013) and the PoliMap taxonomy. Methods This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews. A search strategy was employed on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 2020 to January 2023. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were included, informing a COVID-19 measure or policy and assessing or providing a rationale with access to primary or special healthcare services. Results The final search strategy yielded 2.076 results, 188 studies were reviewed for full-text analysis, and 74 were included in the final analysis. One hundred twenty-one policies or measures addressing primary or specialist care access were identified. Only thirteen target PWDs, focussing on intellectual or mental disability and addressing mental healthcare services. Results revealed that COVID-19 measures for PWDs were oriented to increase health system response capacity and reduce virus transmission, describing a predominantly negative effect on healthcare access for PWDs. Conclusions The needs of PWDs in access to primary and specialist care were not fully covered by the policies and measures placed during the COVID-19 pandemic among the MS and the UK. One-size approaches focussing on the attendance of COVID-19 infection with stigmatizing measures overlook the specific health necessities of this population. Key messages • Adopting disabled-inclusive measures in the daily healthcare provision and engaging PWDs in the policy cycle is paramount to preparing for the next outbreak and public health crises. • Additional research focusing on primary and specialized healthcare access during outbreaks for PWDs, especially with sensory and physical disabilities, is crucial to furthering health equity.

Information to the Population About COVID-19 in the First Year of the Pandemic: Case Study on the Portal of the Health Department of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

Objective: To analyze the risk communication about the COVID-19 pandemic carried out on the website of the Health Department of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. Theoretical Framework: Risk communication in public health emergencies, according to the WHO guideline for policy and practice of this health communication in crises. Method: Qualitative study, focused on the content analysis of the publications made on the website of the Health Department of Campina Grande, Paraíba, from March 2020 to December 2021. Results and Discussion: The Health Department of Campina Grande, Paraíba, effectively used its website to disseminate information about the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social isolation measures and partial lockdown in areas with a high incidence of cases; sanitary barriers to monitor symptoms and control circulation; the installation of a field hospital, expansion of testing in Basic Health Units and distribution of masks and hygiene kits in vulnerable areas. The most frequent words on the portal in 2022 were “pandemic”, “mask” and “coronavirus”, in daily updates, guidelines on prevention measures, service protocols, decrees and restrictions, education and awareness and vaccination campaign at the end of the year. Research Implications: There was publication of accurate and accessible information, publication of administrative acts, positive culture in public health and, therefore, these actions demonstrate a significant effort by the Campina Grande Health Department to use digital communication to face the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the UN guideline. However, it was observed that in terms of clarity, some messages used technical terms that may have made it difficult for less educated audiences to understand. The portal did not provide accessible versions for people with visual impairments. Originality/Value: This study contributes to demonstrating that during the pandemic, the Campina Grande Health Department portal was an essential tool for residents of Campina Grande-PB in a practical and accessible way, with constant updates, disseminating information on the progress of the disease, vaccination campaigns and preventive measures, such as the use of masks and social distancing, with potential contribution to the implementation of preventive measures and adherence to vaccination. It is suggested that there could be greater accessibility for people with less education and sensory disabilities.

Assessment of Food Preferences, Eating Practices, and Nutritional Status Among In-school Able and Disabled Adolescents of Ages 10 - 19 Years in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Background: Malnutrition affects school-age children's health, growth, and academic performance. Adolescents often consume unhealthy fast foods and follow crash diets influenced by peers, media, and cultural norms. Adolescents with disabilities, including physical, intellectual, sensory, developmental, and mental health disabilities, may face additional challenges in accessing and maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet as they may face additional barriers. Understanding the unique needs and challenges faced by adolescents with disabilities is crucial in promoting their overall health and well-being. Objectives: The study aimed to compare the nutritional status of able and disabled adolescents in Government Vocational and Technical College and Niger State School of Special Education in Minna, as well as their food preferences, eating practices, and the factors affecting their nutritional status. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design, administering 400 questionnaires to disabled and able students. The responses were 100% collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed, and results were presented utilizing tables and figures, with a statistical significance level set at P < 0.05. The IBM statistical product and service solutions (IBM SPSS statistics), version 27.0 software was employed for data analysis to explore and understand the food preferences, eating practices, and nutritional status of in-school adolescents with disabilities in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. This approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the diverse factors influencing the dietary habits and nutritional well-being of adolescents with disabilities in the study. Results: The study involved 400 participants, with 12.8% aged over 12 years, 50.3% aged 12 - 15 years, and 37.0% above 15 years. Females made up 51.0% of the participants. About 40% of disabled participants had inadequate dietary patterns, compared to 10% of able participants. There was a significant difference in the distribution of BMI groups between the able and disabled subjects (x2 = 26.984, df = 3, P = 0.000). Socio-demographic of the participants based on age and gender showed a significant association with the nutritional status of able adolescents at (χ2 = 44.593, P = 0.000) and (χ2 = 4.650, P = 0.031) respectively and among disabled at (χ2 = 18.303, P = 0.000) and (χ2 = 23.925, P = 0.000) respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed disabled adolescents often skip meals, consume fast foods, and have poor dietary habits. Interventions like education and increased access to healthy food options are needed.

Effective Pedagogical Strategies and Support Mechanisms for Enhancing the Learning Outcomes of Students with Special Educational Needs: A Systematic Approach

The educational landscape for students with special educational needs (SEN) has seen significant evolution over the years, but challenges persist in creating effective, inclusive learning environments. This paper systematically explores the pedagogical strategies and support mechanisms that have been identified as instrumental in improving learning outcomes for SEN students. Central to this study is the examination of differentiated instruction, individualized education plans (IEPs), and assistive technologies, all of which cater to the varied needs of students who require specialized support. Through a comprehensive literature review, case studies, and empirical data, the research highlights how educators can tailor teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning abilities, thereby fostering better engagement and academic success. Differentiated instruction, a key pedagogical strategy, allows educators to adapt content, process, and products to meet the specific needs of each student. This flexibility ensures that students with cognitive, physical, or sensory disabilities can fully participate in classroom activities, while still maintaining a sense of inclusion and equality. Additionally, support mechanisms such as assistive technologies—ranging from adaptive keyboards and screen readers to speech-to-text software—are proven to be invaluable in helping SEN students overcome traditional learning barriers. These technologies empower students to access educational content in ways that align with their individual capabilities, promoting independence and self-confidence in their learning journeys. Moreover, individualized education plans (IEPs) serve as personalized roadmaps that guide teachers, parents, and specialists in delivering tailored interventions and monitoring each student's progress over time. However, while these strategies and mechanisms offer immense potential for improving learning outcomes, there are significant challenges in their implementation. Many educators face difficulties in adapting their teaching methods due to limited training or insufficient resources, which can hinder the consistent application of these practices. Additionally, schools often struggle with policy constraints and funding limitations, which restrict their ability to provide necessary support, especially in under-resourced regions. The findings of this research underscore the importance of continuous professional development for educators, institutional support for inclusive practices, and strong parental involvement in the educational process. Ultimately, the study advocates for a systematic, multi-faceted approach that integrates pedagogical innovation with adequate support mechanisms. By doing so, the educational system can more effectively cater to the unique needs of SEN students, ensuring that they achieve both academic success and emotional well-being. This paper concludes with practical recommendations for educators and policymakers, offering a roadmap for fostering inclusive, supportive, and effective educational environments for SEN students. Through the combined efforts of educators, parents, and institutions, it is possible to create a more equitable educational landscape where every student, regardless of their learning challenges, is provided the opportunity to thrive.

Video game accessibility in the top-level genres

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the relationship between top-level game genres, release dates, game modes, and accessibility features in commercial video games. For this goal, datasets were created that included 25 games in 11 top-level genres except for experimental games. G-tests were used to examine differences in the proportions of accessibility features between genres, focusing on sensory, motor, and cognitive disabilities. Additionally, regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of genres, release dates, and single-player/multiplayer modes on the number of accessibility features. The results showed significant differences between the top-level genres and the number of all three types of accessibility features. Regression analyses showed significant effects of the top-level genres on the number of accessibility features, while release dates showed no significant influence. Game modes only had a significant effect on accessibility features regarding motor disabilities. In conclusion, the results of this study present genre-specific numbers of accessibility features in commercial video games. In other words, game developers create accessibility features differently depending on the genre. These findings have practical implications for both developers and players to enhance the inclusivity of the gaming experience. The results can also be used to increase awareness and commitment to the importance of accessibility features in the gaming industry, ultimately creating more inclusive commercial video games.

Maternal Disability and Early Child Preventive Care.

Preventive health care for children comprises routine well-child visits and immunizations. Women with physical, sensory, or intellectual or developmental disabilities tend to experience more barriers to preventive health care; yet it is unknown whether such barriers are observed among their young children. This population-based study in Ontario, Canada included children born between 2012 and 2019 whose mothers had a physical (n = 74 084), sensory (n = 26 532), or intellectual or developmental (n = 1391) disability, multiple disabilities (n = 5774), or no disability (n = 723 442). Primary outcomes were receipt of the recommended number of well-child visits and routine immunizations in the first 2 years. Secondary outcomes included receipt of the enhanced 18-month developmental assessment and any developmental screen. Relative risks (aRR) were generated using modified Poisson regression and adjusted for maternal sociodemographics and mental health and child sex. Compared with children of mothers without disabilities, those whose mothers had intellectual or developmental disabilities were less likely to receive the recommended number of well-child visits (56.3% vs 63.2%; aRR 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-0.97), routine immunizations (43.8% vs 53.7%; aRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94), enhanced 18-month developmental assessment (52.3% vs 60.8%; aRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.97), or any developmental screen (54.9% vs 62.5%; aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99). Other disability groups did not experience such disparities. There is a need to develop resources to improve access to preventive health care for young children of women with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

특수교사의 인공지능교육 관심도 분석

Objectives This study sought to investigate special education teachers' interest in artificial intelligence education(hereinafter referred to as AI education) in the introduction of special education, and to derive implications for effectively applying AI education to special education fields. Methods In order to investigate the interest in AI education of special education teachers, 237 current special education teachers were surveyed online using the SoCQ test tool. For data processing, the general characteristics of the study subjects and the intensity percentile score for each SoCQ sub-stage were investigated through frequency and ratio, and t-test and ANOVA were conducted to compare the difference in AI education interest by special education teachers' background variables. Results The results of the study are as follows. First, special education teachers' interest in AI education was similar to the non-user profile and their interest in the impact of AI education was relatively low. Second, there was no statistically significant difference in interest in AI education according to gender and working institution and in terms of student disability type, the interest of teachers teaching students with sensory and physical disabilities was high in all stages except stage 3(operation), a significant difference appeared. Third, in terms of teaching experience, the higher the teaching experience, the higher the interest in AI education. In terms of educational background, the higher the educational level, the higher the interest in AI education. There was a significant difference in both teaching experience and educational background. Fourth, in terms of SW education-related training hours and AI education-related training hours, the more training hours there were, the higher the level of interest in both SW education and AI education. Fifth, in terms of SW education competency, the higher the SW education competency, the higher the interest in AI education, and in terms of AI education support, the higher the support for AI education, the higher the interest. Conclusions According to these results, as a way to increase special education teachers' interest in AI education, promote AI education to special education teachers so that they can be effective and interested in students with disabilities, and provide sufficient AI education methods and teaching and learning materials according to the type of disability. Needs to be. In addition, national-level policy support is needed, such as providing opportunities for expert collaboration and establishing new training courses so that special education teachers can develop AI education-related capabilities.

A comparative analysis of educational, employment, social status, and healthcare access outcomes between deaf and non-deaf migrants

ABSTRACT Migrants face various challenges in new environments, which are further compounded for those with sensory disabilities. Deaf migrants often encounter unique obstacles that affect their integration and quality of life. This study aims to explore disparities in education, employment, social integration, and healthcare access between deaf and non-deaf migrants. This research employed quantitative methods including logistic regression and Mann–Whitney U tests to analyse data collected from both deaf and non-deaf migrant groups. The study adjusted for demographic variables to isolate the effects of hearing status on various outcomes. Findings indicate that deaf migrants are less likely to achieve higher educational levels and are employed at lower rates compared to non-deaf migrants. Additionally, deaf migrants reported significantly lower subjective social status and faced greater barriers in accessing healthcare services, attributed to communication difficulties and insufficient support systems. The results underscore significant disparities faced by deaf migrants in critical areas of life. These challenges are primarily due to systemic barriers and a lack of adequate resources and accommodations that address their specific needs. The study highlights the need for targeted policies and programs to enhance educational opportunities, employment support, social integration, and healthcare accessibility for deaf migrants, ensuring their successful integration and participation in society.

Associations between disability type and untreated dental decay among community dwelling US adults.

Individuals with disabilities face elevated risks of adverse oral health outcomes compared with the general population, including worse periodontal health, increased edentulism, and untreated dental decay. Given the varied impacts of different disabilities on people's health and well-being, this study aims to investigate diverse associations between untreated decay and cognitive, physical, emotional, and sensory disabilities among US adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed questionnaire and clinical examination data on 7084 adults (≥20 years) from the 2015-18 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. Sociodemographics, oral health behaviors, health conditions, and disability were all examined. The prevalence of tooth decay was calculated as the proportion of adults with untreated decay. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between disability and untreated decay. In general, untreated decay was more than twice as prevalent in individuals with three or more disabilities as in those without any disabilities (34.5% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, lack of functional dentition was the most significant predictor of untreated decay prevalence (adjusted odds ratio: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.37-3.72). Other significant factors were younger age (20-44), non-Hispanic black race or ethnicity, low-income status, having an underlying chronic condition, not having a past-year dental visit, symptomatic dental visits, and current tobacco use. No associations were found between disability type (cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory) and untreated decay among community-dwelling US adults. Several health-related, social, and behavioral factors emerged as primary predictors of untreated decay. Further research is needed to explore disability types and dental caries determinants.

Disabled Individuals’ Negative Perceptions of Mobile Health Applications: Design Guidance for HFE Practitioners

Disabled individuals experience significant inequities in healthcare access, healthcare quality, social determinants of health, and health outcomes compared to non-disabled individuals. By including people with disabilities in the co-design of mobile health (MHealth) applications, we gain valuable insights to improve alignment between users’ needs and MHealth technologies. Through a secondary analysis of mixed-methods data, this paper investigates negative perceptions of disabled individuals regarding MHealth applications to inform MHealth application design guidance for human factors practitioners. Fifty participants with physical, cognitive, sensory, and/or mental health-related disabilities interacted with three MHealth applications during task analysis sessions, revealing concerns about data security, data privacy, and unnecessary patient work. Recommendations include clear articulation of security measures, clarifications that patient profiles are not publicly available, and simplified data entry processes. Implementing these recommendations may enhance the accessibility and usefulness of MHealth applications, promoting healthcare access for a broader range of individuals.

School performance readiness of elementary students with disabilities before starting the occupational therapy program in special education schools

Background: School-based occupational therapists (SBOTs) work as health professionals in educational settings. School performance readiness is within the scope of SBOTs in providing a service for students who might have experienced decreasing performance during their school life. Objective: This study aimed to explore the school performance readiness of elementary students with disabilities before starting the occupational therapy program in special education schools. Materials and methods: The school performance readiness checklist for students with disabilities in special education schools was the research instrument. It comprised four areas: physical, social and emotional, pre-academic, and self-care readiness. Seventy-five elementary students with disabilities participated in this study. They consisted of 41 students with intellectual disability, 21 students with physical disability, and 13 students with sensory disability. Results: Results from the initial semester in special education schools showed that most of the students with disabilities (85.33%) needed support in promoting their school performance readiness, particularly in pre-academic readiness. This included most of those with intellectual disability (33.33%) and all of those with sensory disabilities, while all of the students with physical disabilities needed support in promoting physical readiness. Conclusion: Most students with disabilities needed support in promoting their school performance readiness according to their type of disability. Although the special education schools had enrolment criteria, SBOTs and school professionals should be concerned with providing related intervention programs to promote school readiness, particularly pre-academic readiness.

Stereotypes on the Small Screen: Applying a Media Rating Tool to Portrayals of Autism in Television Series 2010 – 2019

Images of disability in media, both accurate and stereotypical, have a powerful effect on the opinions and actions of individuals. Although researchers have noted and categorized ways that disability has been portrayed in movies and on television over many decades, little research has focused on more recent media. Furthermore, extant research has focused on physical, sensory, and psychiatric disabilities, leaving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under-researched. This paper describes and analyzes portrayals of ASD in the past decade (2010–2019) in television series produced primarily in the United States and marketed for popular audiences. This media content analysis utilized a movie rating tool designed to assess the presence or absence of previously researched disability stereotypes (Safran, 2000). Using this tool, trained undergraduate students rated twelve television series spanning eight genres. Numerical and narrative data were used to categorize series as more positive/realistic or more negative/stereotypical. Results revealed ten of the twelve to be overall positive/realistic, although stereotypes of disability persisted throughout all series. ASD is increasingly visible on the small screen; it is imperative that images in media consumed by the general public present disability, and specifically ASD, in accurate, positive, realistic, and non-stereotyped ways. The paper concludes with recommendations toward this goal.

An Integrated Hybrid Convolutional-Support Vector Machine (CSVM) Model with the CWT Method for Hearing Disorder Detection using AEP Signals

Hearing disorder is the most widespread sensory disability worldwide, impairing human communication and learning. An early and accurate hearing disorder detection system using an electroencephalogram (EEG) is the appropriate technique for dealing with this concern. The most significant modality for diagnosing hearing deficiency among EEG control signals is the auditory evoked potential (AEP), which is generated in the cortical region of the brain through auditory stimulus. This study aims to develop an efficient approach for detecting hearing disorders. For this purpose, this study has designed a hybrid model based on the convolutional operation of CNN and the SVM classifier. Initially, the CWT method was utilized to transform the raw AEP signals into time-frequency images. Then, the extracted features were classified using the proposed CSVM model. To test the robustness of the proposed model, this study also implemented a convolutional neural network (CNN) and support vector machine (SVM) with the same parameters. The experimental results with the hybrid CSVM model showed superior performance on the publicly available AEP dataset by achieving 94.48% testing accuracy, 96.40% precision, 92.96% recall, 94.65% F1 score, 88.95% Cohen Kappa score, which indicates that the proposed hybrid model could be used for early hearing disorder detection. Future enhancements will concentrate on identifying different hearing-signal-based data and the cloud-based, automated classification of AEP signals.

Social Support at School for Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Social support is the gratification of basic social needs (affection, belonging, esteem or approval, security, identity) through interaction with others. Social support at school allows students to perceive themselves as competent during learning and to enjoy school in general. Little is known about social support at school for students with sensory disabilities. This review aims to synthesize findings from studies examining social support at school for students with hearing and visual impairments. A search of computerized databases was supplemented by a manual search of the bibliographies of the main publications. The synthesis of the literature suggests that all students need adequate support devices in class and properly trained support teachers. However, visually impaired students are more likely to have access to resources compared to those with hearing impairments. Students with visual impairments attending regular schools are more positive about the availability of resources than those with hearing impairments attending special schools. Overall, senior secondary school students indicate higher resource availability than junior secondary school ones. Still, very few studies have investigated social support for students with sensory disabilities. Thus, further research is needed to confirm these results.

Vision Loss and Substance Misuse: A Systematic Review

Background: The number of people in the U.S. affected by sensory disabilities and/or substance use has continued to increase, but the relationship between them has yet to be fully understood. The purpose of this review is to assess the relationship between substance use and vision loss in the U.S. as described by current literature. Methods: A search of published literature was conducted across MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EBSCO: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and CINAHL following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Risk of bias was assessed by the authors based on study design. U.S. based studies written in English between 2010 and 2022 that reported on vision loss and substance use were included. Results: In all, 21 articles were included (case reports 11, case series 1, cross-sectional 4, retrospective cohort 3, review 2) representing 89,132 patients. Nineteen studies found a positive association between vision loss and substance use, with 15 studies suggesting substance use was a risk factor for vision loss. One study reported on vision loss preceding substance use but was inconclusive. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that substance use may be a risk factor for vision loss, and we recommend that providers screen for vision loss in at risk patients to mitigate further disability. Further research is needed to assess the impact visual disabilities may have on substance use, and stronger evidence is needed to verify if substance use is truly a risk factor for vision loss.

Commuting Behaviors of People with Disabilities and the Implications for Transport Planning and Policy: A Preliminary Study

This research aimed to obtain an initial understanding of the commuting behaviors of people with disabilities, which has not been widely discussed in the transportation planning literature in Indonesia. Facets studied included frequency of weekly commuting; trip duration to the workplace; trip chaining behavior; usage of public transportation; and utilization of private vehicles. Commuting trips were limited to the home-work-home context, and the research was conducted on adult disabled commuters (aged 17 to 60) in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (Jabodetabek). A total of 51 commuters with motor and sensory (visual and auditory) disabilities participated in the survey. The results indicate that people with disabilities tend to spend more hours commuting; use public transportation, with the TransJakarta Bus Rapid Transit and paratransit in the form of online motorcycle taxis as the primary modes of transport; and engage in pre-planned trip chaining activities, primarily for visiting family, friends, and clients as well as doing grocery shopping and getting medical treatment. The research findings can serve as valuable resources for developing inclusive transportation policies and planning, such as improving and enhancing access to public transportation for people with disabilities, supporting inclusive training policy in the public transportation field, implementing TOD strategies, and advancing transportation technology to enhance convenience for people with disabilities.

Peripheral, but not central, IGF-1 treatment attenuates stroke-induced cognitive impairment in middle-aged female Sprague Dawley rats: The gut as a therapeutic target

Stroke results in immediate sensory or motor disability and increases the risk for long term cognitive-affective impairments. Thus, therapies are urgently needed to improve quality of life for stroke survivors, especially women who are at a greater risk for severe stroke after menopause. Most current research on stroke therapies target the central nervous system; however, stroke also impacts peripheral organ systems. Our studies using acyclic (estrogen-deficient) middle aged female Sprague Dawley rats show that this group not only displays worse outcomes after stroke as compared to adult females, but also has lower levels of the neuroprotective peptide Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF1) in circulation. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of IGF1 to this group decreases infarct volume and improves sensory motor performance in the acute phase. In this study, we show that, despite this neuroprotection, ICV-IGF1 did not reduce peripheral inflammation or improve post stroke cognitive impairment in the chronic phase. In view of the evidence that stroke induces rapid gut dysfunction, we tested whether systemic delivery of IGF1 (intraperitoneal, IP) would promote gut health and consequently improve long-term behavioral outcomes. Surprisingly, while IP-IGF1, delivered 4 h and 24 h after ischemic stroke, did not reduce infarct volume or acute sensory motor impairment, it significantly attenuated circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated stroke-induced cognitive impairment. In addition, IP-IGF1 treatment reduced gut dysmorphology and gut dysbiosis. Our data support the conclusion that therapeutics targeting peripheral targets are critical for long-term stroke recovery, and that gut repair is a novel therapeutic target to improve brain health in aging females.

The Application of the Qur'anic Sign Language Method

The development of the Al-Qur'an sign language in Indonesia is based on the Arabic sign language. This writing aims to describe the method of translating the Indonesian Al-Qur'an into sign language, which is currently developing and transforming into the Kitabah Method and Recitation Method. This method has enabled Indonesian People with Hearing and Speech Sensory Disabilities (PDSRW) to be able to read and understand (communicate) the meanings and intentions of the Al-Qur'an, hadith and other Islamic teachings so that they have an essential role in strengthening spiritual and religious ties. Data collection uses qualitative research methods in the form of library research or library research using the Tahlili method, which is extracted and sourced from various libraries. This research shows that the Al-Qur'an sign language, Kitabah Method and Recitation Method can make it easier for Indonesian PDSRW people to understand the Al-Qur'an. However, standardization is still needed to facilitate access to PDSRW.

Unveiling the ototoxic effects of paraquat on zebrafish larva

Paraquat is a widely utilized herbicide in agricultural fields posing a significant impact on human health and the environment due to its potent oxidant properties. Rampant paraquat usage leads to serious health hazards to farmers and the ecosystem, particularly the water bodies. Paraquat exposure can damage dopaminergic neurons causing Parkinson's disease in humans and other animal models. Extensive research has been done regarding the mode of action, pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease. Meanwhile, the ototoxic effect of paraquat remains poorly understood. Potential ototoxins can cause sensorineural hearing loss, one of the most common sensory disabilities in humans. In this study, we investigated the harmful effects of paraquat on neuromast hair cells in zebrafish larvae, a powerful model organism for auditory research. We treated sub-lethal concentrations (125 μM to 1000 μM) of paraquat to 3 and 4 dpf zebrafish larvae to investigate its ototoxic effects via rheotaxis behavioral assay, neuromast staining and scanning electron microscopy. The behavioral assay findings showed a drastic decline in the rheotaxis behavior in all the concentrations of paraquat-treated larvae. Furthermore, DASPEI neuromast vital staining displayed a dose-dependent reduction in the neuromast hair cells as we increased the paraquat concentration. The scanning electron microscope data revealed the significant shortening of kinociliary length, a decrease in stereociliary density and changes in semilunar peridermal cell morphology signifying the damaging effects of paraquat at the cellular level. Collectively, the behavioral, anatomical and morphological studies highlight the potential ototoxic effects of paraquat on zebrafish neuromast hair cells, further signifying its potential role in causing hearing loss in humans.

Academic performance of learners with special needs in open and distance learning: a study in Anadolu University open education system

ABSTRACT This study delves into the academic performance of learners with special needs enrolled in Anadolu University’s Open Education System, shedding light on their performance in a distance learning context. Employing quantitative methods and utilising learning analytics data, the research scrutinises the educational outcomes of 98,875 learners. Through descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression analysis, the study uncovers varying achievement rates among learners based on disability type. Notably, individuals with sensory, physical, and chronic disabilities exhibit higher success levels compared to those with cognitive disabilities. A key finding is the positive correlation between Learning Management System (LMS) usage and overall academic success, highlighting the importance of engagement in LMS activities and their influence on self-assessment grades and overall success rates. Additionally, the time to reach graduation differs, with physically and chronically disabled learners taking a longer time to graduate compared to those with sensory disabilities. This research provides pivotal insights into the effectiveness of open and distance learning for learners with special needs, emphasising the role of digital learning platforms in enhancing their academic journey.