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Lived employment experiences of college students and graduates with physical disabilities in the United States
- Authors:
- KIM Mikyong Minsun, WILLIAMS Brenda C.
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 27(6), 2012, pp.837-852.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
While persons with disabilities are legislatively protected in the USA, they continue to experience high rates of unemployment. The aim of this phenomenological study was to focus on the employment experiences of college students with physical disabilities seeking employment opportunities after graduation in the USA. Data was collected using semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 8 college seniors and recent graduates with physical disabilities at an urban university located in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. The findings revealed 6 major thematic areas: disability and impairment; accessibility; reasonable accommodations; discrimination; barriers and hindrances; and graduate or professional education. All the participants noted that workplace accessibility and accommodation are major concerns when they apply for a job. Their viewpoints or attitudes are diverse and range from pain to pride and from experiences of denied accommodation to support. Their major areas of concern are their own marketable skills and credentials as well as accessibility and accommodation in workplaces. Continued education beyond the baccalaureate is a priority for many participants rather than an immediate transition to work, and the Office of Disability and professors were considered important advising agencies.
The future need for social care services for adults with disabilities in England 2012-30
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH. School for Social Care Research
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- London
Researchers at the Centre for Disability Research (CedR), Lancaster University collected information about the assessed level of eligibility for samples of children aged 14-16 identified as having special educational needs (SEN), and explored the relationship between SEN and disability. The aim was to estimate changes in the need for social care services for adults with disabilities in England between 2012 and 2030. The project builds on and extends the research team’s previous work on estimating future need for social care services among adults with learning disabilities over the time period. This summary of the research notes that estimates are based on “need” rather than “demand”; and that changes in demand are likely to outstrip changes in need because of the reduction in the capacity of informal support networks to provide care. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘I know that aside from my arms I’m normal’: negotiating the incoherencies of a ‘VACTERL identity’
- Author:
- KALFA Ora
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 27(1), 2012, pp.65-79.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
VACTERL Association, a medical diagnosis that represents a broad range of characteristics, affects the following body systems: vertebrae; anal; cardiovascular; trachea; esophageal; renal and radial; and limb. A person with three or more problems in any combination may be recognized as fitting in the VACTERL Association. Auditory, growth, sex, and reproductive characteristics are often present as well. Thus far, VACTERL has only been examined within the medical system, and, within that framework, it has become identified as an anomaly and ‘disability,’ leaving the embodied experiential realities of individuals who live with it unexplored. This paper reports on a qualitative study with eight self-identified women with VACTERL Association. All participants were from across the North American continent. The study provides an introduction to the experiences of these women and provides an exploration of the elements and processes of identity negotiation, with particular focus on the intersection between gender and ability. As well, the impact of a medical label as it affects identity formation is examined. Implications for future research are presented.
Reaching the ‘hard to reach’: strategies to recruit black and minority ethnic service users with rare long-term neurological conditions
- Authors:
- HOPPITT Thomas, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 15(6), 2012, pp.485-495.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Little is known about health and social care experiences of patients with rare long-term neurological conditions such as Huntington’s disease, motor neuron disease, Charcot Marie Tooth disease, dominantly inherited ataxias, progressive supranuclear palsy, post polio syndrome and multiple system atrophy. Added to this black and minority ethnic service users have historically been described as ‘hard to reach’ for research. Evidence suggests that a variety of recruitment methods need to be used if this situation is to change. This study employed a range of recruitment strategies to involve patients in one-to-one interviews about their experiences of health and social care. The recruiter was of Indian origin. Strategies included community (places of worship, local media, voluntary organisations), clinically based strategies and snowballing. Fifteen participants were recruited altogether, but ultimately all came from neurology clinics and disease-specific charities. The authors conclude that despite community-based strategies generating interest and a willingness to be involved, the rare nature of these conditions resulted in a lack of recruits from these strategies. It is suggested that stigma, especially with regard to genetic conditions may have played a part. Researchers may need to plan and prioritise strategies carefully in order to maximise recruitment and utilise resources efficiently dependent on the nature of the research.
The right help at the right time in the right place: strategic review of learning provision for children and young people with complex additional support needs
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Government
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 108p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report sets out the strategic vision for learning provision for children and young people with complex additional support needs in Scotland. The review process was undertaken in 2 phases, and included working groups, a call for evidence, parental engagement events, a literature review, and in-depth interviews with children and young people in a range of educational settings. The report sets out the findings and recommendations for provision across 4 themed areas: culture, complex additional support needs and expertise; policy choice and learning experiences; interagency working, planning and review; and national and local provision and the role of the Scottish Government. A total of 21 recommendations are made across these 4 areas. Three case studies of excellent practice are presented which demonstrate that getting the right help at the right time in the right place does make a real difference to the lives of children and young people with complex additional support needs and their families.
Youth leadership program for changing self-image and attitude toward people with disabilities
- Authors:
- COHEN Ronen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 11(3), 2012, pp.197-218.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The attitude of society toward people with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities is predominantly negative in nature. Persons with disabilities usually arouse feelings of compassion, and are perceived as being incapable of working, in need of charity, inferior, and even asexual. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of an intervention programme on changes in attitude toward people with disabilities among member of a youth leadership group, and also to assess whether changes occurred in their self-image. The participants were 164 9th-grade students from various junior high schools throughout Israel. Half of the students participated in an integration programme for changing attitudes toward persons with disabilities, and the other half served as the control group. The group participated in workshops that presented information regarding disabilities and were also involved in volunteer projects offering services to people with disabilities. The research examined the existence and the degree of relationship between participation in the programme, changes in attitudes toward people with disabilities, and self-image. The research findings pointed to a positive change in attitudes of the participants of the programme in comparison with the control group, resulting mainly from personal contact with people with disabilities. No relationship was found between levels of self-image of the research group and attitudes toward people with disabilities.
Impact of a multicomponent support services program on informal caregivers of adults aging with disabilities
- Authors:
- LAVELA Sherri L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(2), February 2012, pp.160-174.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A multicomponent support services program was implemented for veterans aging with disabilities and their informal caregivers (n = 42 dyads, caregiver average age 56 years) living in Florida. The programme was provided through Social Work Services and targeted high risk families. It included 24 hour in-home respite care, caregiver group support, and education and skills training. It was designed to keep veterans in their home while providing temporary relief to family caregivers. Caregiver outcomes (satisfaction, physical and mental health status, burden, and benefits) were evaluated before and after program use. They reported significant improvements in mental health post-program. Those who provided care to individuals with impaired physical health experienced meaningful improvements in burden after the support services were implemented. The authors conclude that supporting caregiver health status through such programs is vital to preserve noninstitutional long-term care for persons aging with disabilities, particularly when care is provided over many years to an individual with physical impairments.
Primary-care based participatory rehabilitation: users’ views of a horticultural and arts project
- Authors:
- BARLEY Elizabeth A., ROBINSON Susan, SIKORSKI Jim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of General Practice, 62(595), February 2012, pp.88-89.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of General Practitioners
Sydenham Garden is a primary care based horticultural and arts rehabilitation project for people with significant mental or physical illness. The project comprises a garden, a nature reserve, and weekly arts groups. Users are referred to the project by local professionals, such as general practitioners. The aim of this study was to determine the views of the users on participation in the project. In-depth interviews were held with 16 participants. Thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed 6 themes: joining and motivations; improved wellbeing; relationships; ownership; being outdoors; and transferrable skills. The findings were overwhelmingly positive. On referral to the project, the users reported considerable need and social isolation. The project promoted wellbeing by providing purposeful and enjoyable activity and interest, improved mood and self-perceptions, and providing escape from life’s pressures. Many users developed transferable skills and gained nationally recognised qualifications. The opportunity for social contact was especially valued.
Understanding and addressing underrepresentation in a postal survey of social care users
- Authors:
- SMITH Nick, MALLEY Juliette
- Publisher:
- Quality and Outcomes of Person-centred Care Policy Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 91
- Place of publication:
- Canterbury
This report draws together the findings of a review of postal surveys, examining the potential causes of underrepresentation and looking at methods of improving representation, such as such as the Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS). Evidence from postal surveys is increasingly being used in England to monitor and improve the performance of social care services. This review has highlighted that it is not only the characteristics of users but the behaviour of the organisation delivering the survey that can affect response rates. It outlines a range of approaches when participation is not possible and highlights four key methods that can be used to enable participation in postal surveys: recognising that the study information section of a postal survey can be a barrier to participation if it does not appear to be relevant to the respondent; adapting the questionnaire to reflect the 'individualised' needs of the participant, such as versions in other languages and Easy Read versions for adults with learning disabilities; employing alternative methods of data collection, such as face-to-face or telephone interview, alongside the postal survey; and encouraging or even providing support to complete the survey. (Edited publisher abstract)