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The recognition of web pages' hyperlinks by people with intellectual disabilities: an evaluation study
- Authors:
- ROCHA Tânia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(6), November 2012, pp.542-552.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The initiative for Web Accessibility (WAI) has defined a set of guidelines for designers concerned with accessibility issues. However, research has shown that these guidelines are insufficient to ensure people with intellectual disabilities have proper internet access. One of the most mentioned problems of web accessibility is related to the difficulty regarding the perception of what is or is not clickable in a web page. This study aimed to investigate the recognition of hyperlinks by people with intellectual disabilities, specifically asking whether hyperlinks in navigation menus are more perceptible with text or with images. The methodology was based on the direct observation, video recording, interview and data obtained by an eye tracker device. Ten participants with intellectual disabilities were divided into 2 groups and asked to perform 2 tasks in 2 websites. The first website presented an image navigation menu (INM), whereas the other one showed a text navigation menu (TNM). The tasks required each group to alternatively interact with the 2 different layouts. The findings clearly showed that images were more comprehensible than text, especially for the participants with reading difficulties.
Developing the pregnancy support pack for people who have a learning disability
- Authors:
- PORTER Eleanor, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 40(4), December 2012, pp.310-317.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Today, an increasing number of people with learning disabilities have children. They are expected to fit into existing health services and are disadvantaged when presented with complex information regarding pregnancy and birth. However, there is a lack of information in relation to accessible information on antenatal care and consent to medical procedures, despite this being a recommendation by best practice guidelines on working with parents who have a learning disability. This project aims to redress this balance by developing accessible resources for a typical pregnancy. Thematic analysis is used to evaluate the accessibility and acceptability of the resources from a professional and service user perspective, and identified themes are discussed. Results suggest that adapted resources are helpful in supporting parents with learning disabilities to access essential information about their pregnancy and to make informed decisions about their care. They support the interaction between parents and maternity services, resulting in a more effective and efficient care process.
Ten years plus of Total Communication
- Author:
- MILLER Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 105, Winter 2012/13, pp.14-16.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
The Speech and Language team of the Hywel Dda Local Health Board in Wales worked with services users to develop a Total Communication Strategy which could be implemented across three counties (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire) in Wales. The strategy aims to improve communication for service users with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. It is now formally recognised as a policy and is provided across all third sector homes, residential homes and tenancies, and social services and health setting. The package, which is briefly described, consists of: Total Communication training; signing training; making information accessible training; and separate training to cover specialist communication needs of services users with profound and multiple disabilities. Within each location there is a designated Total Communication coordinator who takes the role of promoting communication. A website has also been developed for service users.
Commentary on “Does he have sugar in his tea?”
- Authors:
- HESLOP Pauline, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17(2), 2012, pp.64-68.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper provides a commentary on the previous paper by Ruth Bell in this journal issue. Bell’s paper concluded that a hospital passport system can play a key role in supporting the effective care of people with learning disabilities. This commentary outlines some ‘reasonable adjustments’ for people with learning disabilities in primary and secondary care. It then discusses 3 issues. The first is whether there is a specific need for a hospital passport or whether some other comprehensive and multipurpose document would be more effective. Second, it discusses the need to connect individuals, primary care, and secondary care so that people with learning disabilities attending an Annual Health Check or entering secondary health care already have an up-to-date comprehensive document which they bring with them. The third is the need for hospital staff to be requesting and using such documents. The article concludes that personal health files that include hospital passport-type documents could make a difference and provide a better link between individuals and primary and secondary healthcare services.