British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(12), December 2010, pp.598-606.
Publisher:
Sage
The education of children with disabilities in Portugal has evolved and the latest education curriculum encourages the inclusion of all children with disabilities in mainstream school. However the experiences of the children themselves have rarely been investigated. Fourteen students with disabilities, with good communication skills, aged between 8 and 11 years took part in open-ended interviews.
The education of children with disabilities in Portugal has evolved and the latest education curriculum encourages the inclusion of all children with disabilities in mainstream school. However the experiences of the children themselves have rarely been investigated. Fourteen students with disabilities, with good communication skills, aged between 8 and 11 years took part in open-ended interviews. The data were analysed employing a psychological phenomenological method. A major finding was the complexity of the children’s participation in mainstream schools. Three forms of participation were found: equal participation, special task participation and onlooker participation. These situations were connected to both the characteristics of the children’s performance (how involved they were in the actual performance) and to the characteristics of the environment (support and understanding from peers and teachers). These three forms contrasted with situations of non-participation, in which the children felt completely excluded. The findings provide insights that enhance the understanding of children's inclusion in mainstream schools and demonstrate the importance of being with peers and feeling actively engaged in the activities by observing or by doing different tasks.
Subject terms:
inclusive education, school children, user views, disabilities;
The purpose of the report (Terms of Reference) is to review national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective, and to provide the Commission with useful evidence in support of disability policy mainstreaming. More specifically, the report will review implementation of EU Employment Strategy and the PROGRESS initiative with reference to policy implementation evidence from European countries, including the strategies addressed in the EU Disability Action Plan (such as flexicurity and supported employment).
The purpose of the report (Terms of Reference) is to review national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective, and to provide the Commission with useful evidence in support of disability policy mainstreaming. More specifically, the report will review implementation of EU Employment Strategy and the PROGRESS initiative with reference to policy implementation evidence from European countries, including the strategies addressed in the EU Disability Action Plan (such as flexicurity and supported employment).
This article is based on research about the daily lives of people living with chronic illnesses in England and Portugal. Through the first-person narratives of participants, The author argues that the lives of people living with debilitating chronic illnesses are affected by disablism, discrimination and exclusion. These aspects affect them in several important realms of life such as lack of or poor social support, difficulties in obtaining reasonable adjustments or the inability to obtain any kind of state support at all. These aspects are also widespread and compound and greatly influence their lives, beyond or in addition to the physical experience of the illness itself. The author concludes that it is fundamental to change these structural and policy aspects and that people should have access to what she have termed a paradigm of sustained well-being, despite the illness.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article is based on research about the daily lives of people living with chronic illnesses in England and Portugal. Through the first-person narratives of participants, The author argues that the lives of people living with debilitating chronic illnesses are affected by disablism, discrimination and exclusion. These aspects affect them in several important realms of life such as lack of or poor social support, difficulties in obtaining reasonable adjustments or the inability to obtain any kind of state support at all. These aspects are also widespread and compound and greatly influence their lives, beyond or in addition to the physical experience of the illness itself. The author concludes that it is fundamental to change these structural and policy aspects and that people should have access to what she have termed a paradigm of sustained well-being, despite the illness.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
long term conditions, discrimination, social exclusion, disabilities, needs, quality of life, wellbeing;
EUROPEAN FOUNDATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Publisher:
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Publication year:
2012
Pagination:
132p.
Place of publication:
Dublin
Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands,
Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Slovakia). The study reviews policy in these countries and compiles information from 44 case studies of good practice among diverse and innovative service providers. There is a new trend indicating a significant increase in the take up of benefits among young people. The research shows that the reason for the increase has been predominantly various mental health problems. Research also indicates that debt is a much stronger risk factor for mental disorder than low income. Additionally, current employment patterns with long hours and more intense work are not conducive for people with health problems. There is also an issue of special education as it seems that in many countries people with health problems move directly from special education into incapacity schemes. To identify effective strategies to tackle this trend, there is clear need to understand the reasons. The study concludes that policy and practice need to focus more keenly on these young people, to learn from available evidence, and to take a more joined-up approach to service delivery.
Subject terms:
social policy, social welfare, unemployment, young people, benefits, disabilities;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(6), November 2012, pp.522-530.
Publisher:
Wiley
Individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) have sensory limitations including visual impairments, auditory deficits, and dysfunctions of taste, small and touch. Interventions involving sensory stimulation may reduce sensory deprivation and improve the motor skills and cognitive functions of individuals with PIMD. Sensory assessment of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) can be extremely difficult, particularly when they do not perform conspicuous reactions to sensory stimuli. This case report presents a combination of behavioural and physiological measurements aimed at providing an objective assessment of the sensory responsiveness of a 3-year old boy with PIMD. The boy was presented with a set of 19 stimuli designed to provide
Individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) have sensory limitations including visual impairments, auditory deficits, and dysfunctions of taste, small and touch. Interventions involving sensory stimulation may reduce sensory deprivation and improve the motor skills and cognitive functions of individuals with PIMD. Sensory assessment of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) can be extremely difficult, particularly when they do not perform conspicuous reactions to sensory stimuli. This case report presents a combination of behavioural and physiological measurements aimed at providing an objective assessment of the sensory responsiveness of a 3-year old boy with PIMD. The boy was presented with a set of 19 stimuli designed to provide visual, olfactory, gustatory, auditory and tactile stimulation. Responsiveness to these stimuli was assessed in terms of motor movements, heart rate and electrodermal responses. The findings showed that the child only exhibited consistent motor reactions to 3 of the items. However, he showed consistent physiological reactions to a total of 10 stimuli. The findings suggest that combining behavioural and physiological measurements may constitute a useful resource for assessing the actual responsiveness of individuals with PIMD.
Subject terms:
intervention, multiple disabilities, sensory impairments, severe learning disabilities, assessment, case studies, disabilities;
... headings: academic publications and research reports; employment statistics and trends; laws and policies, type and quality of jobs; specific examples of good practice; and conclusions and recommendations. New quantitative data for 2009 are not yet available. Portugal ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol in July 2009. A draft law has been prepared on a new employment and vocational training system for persons with disabilities. In 2009 the new Labour Code came into force aimed at combating discrimination. It addresses the particular situation of workers with reduced capacity, disability or chronic illness. An evaluation of the impact of the Action Plan for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities has been published. The economic crisis has led
This report, covering the Portugal, is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective. It provides an update as at November 2009 to a first report published in 2008. Evidence is summarised, along with a comment on the current economic crisis. It is then briefly reviewed in a standardised format under the following headings: academic publications and research reports; employment statistics and trends; laws and policies, type and quality of jobs; specific examples of good practice; and conclusions and recommendations. New quantitative data for 2009 are not yet available. Portugal ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol in July 2009. A draft law has been prepared on a new employment and vocational training system for persons with disabilities. In 2009 the new Labour Code came into force aimed at combating discrimination. It addresses the particular situation of workers with reduced capacity, disability or chronic illness. An evaluation of the impact of the Action Plan for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities has been published. The economic crisis has led to the introduction of measures to support workers and improve skills, while not directed specifically at disabled people they are be expected to impact upon them.
Subject terms:
labour market, law, disabilities, employment, equal opportunities, government policy;
The aim of this study was to examine the evidence at European and national level of the effect of the economic crisis, and its consequences in terms of austerity measures, on the rights and status of people with disabilities. It focused in particular on the impact on the delivery of social services and income support and allowances aimed at people with disabilities. Evidence was gathered through a review of European reports and statistics and through 6 country reports compiled by national correspondents and based on documentary evidence and interviews with representatives of people with disabilities, service providers, and funders. The countries included in the study were Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK. This report presents a synthesis of the data gathered at European level, together with additional findings extracted from the country studies. It covers the macroeconomic context, the impact of the crisis on social services and on disability related social security benefits, and the impact of the crisis on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The aim of this study was to examine the evidence at European and national level of the effect of the economic crisis, and its consequences in terms of austerity measures, on the rights and status of people with disabilities. It focused in particular on the impact on the delivery of social services and income support and allowances aimed at people with disabilities. Evidence was gathered through a review of European reports and statistics and through 6 country reports compiled by national correspondents and based on documentary evidence and interviews with representatives of people with disabilities, service providers, and funders. The countries included in the study were Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK. This report presents a synthesis of the data gathered at European level, together with additional findings extracted from the country studies. It covers the macroeconomic context, the impact of the crisis on social services and on disability related social security benefits, and the impact of the crisis on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Subject terms:
rights, social care provision, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, benefits, disabilities, economics, financing, government policy;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Greece, Hungary, Europe, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom