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The document titled "Bookshelf 2023" provides a list of books that have not been reviewed in the journal, NWIG: New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids. The list includes titles such as "The Anglo-Spanish War 1655–1660" by Paul Sutton, "Taking Flight: Caribbean Women Writing from Abroad" by Jennifer Donahue, and "Communities of the Soul: A Short History of Religion in Puerto Rico" by José E. Igartua. The document also highlights several fiction books, including "Antoine of Gommiers" by Nathan H. Dize, "Une somme humaine" by Makenzy Orcel, and "Devil Makes Three" by Ben Fountain. These books cover a range of topics and perspectives related to the Caribbean region. [Extracted from the article]

The study of children’s disability has gained significant attention worldwide due to its impact on individuals, families, and societies. As a rapidly developing country, Saudi Arabia has also witnessed an increased interest in understanding and addressing children’s disability. This review paper aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific research focused on children’s disability in Saudi Arabia. The analysis aims to identify the publication trends, research topics, influential authors, and critical collaborations within this domain. A systematic literature search was performed using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search terms used were related to children’s disability and Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2022, written in English, and focusing on children’s disability research in Saudi Arabia. The retrieved articles were analyzed using bibliometric techniques, including co-authorship analysis, journal analysis, and keyword analysis. The bibliometric analysis revealed a growing interest in children’s disability research in Saudi Arabia over the past two decades. A total of 1050 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The analysis showed an increasing number of publications over time, indicating the expanding focus on this research topic. The key research areas identified included assessing and diagnosing disabilities, interventions and therapies, educational support, and social inclusion of children with disabilities. The analysis also identified prominent researchers and institutions contributing to this field. The bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific research landscape on children’s disability in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the increasing attention and research efforts in this area. The findings emphasize the importance of continued research in understanding the challenges faced by children with disabilities and developing effective interventions and support systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the uncertainty and resentment that many persons with disabilities feel concerning their disability services in the welfare state of Finland. This paper elaborates on the theme through the lived citizenship of persons with disabilities using the key theory of disability tax as an analytical tool. The empirical data were collected through an online survey (n = 541) and six group interviews (n = 41) of persons with disabilities in 2023. The disability tax experiences are elaborated through four aspects: (1) rejected applications, (2) uncertain realisation, (3) laborious complaint mechanisms, and (4) the psycho–emotional effect. The findings of this study establish collective experiences of multi-layered disability tax throughout the disability services process. It concludes that disability services, which were originally planned to specifically ensure equal opportunities to participate in society for persons with disabilities, are increasingly becoming the very sources of burden as austerity has silently grown deeper over recent years and has become the clear policy of the current government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attitudinal barriers and discriminatory practices continue to prevent the full participation of learners with disabilities in developmental learning contexts. Although disability has been on the psychological agenda for some time, there is limited empirical evidence on adopting African models to buffer prejudices. This paper addresses this critical gap by examining the experiences of disabled children subjected to prejudices in inclusive settings and the adaptation of the Afrocentric model to buffer those behaviors. The paper was guided by Allport's Social Reflection Theory, which explains why some groups may be targets of prejudice. The exploratory qualitative case study was undertaken in 4 inclusive schools in Gauteng province. Participants were 20 educators and 40 disabled learners in inclusive schools. Purposive sampling was used to choose participants in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with educators, and the researcher observed the engagement of the educators and 40 disabled learners. Data collected were analyzed through qualitative thematic data analysis. From the themes that emerged in the findings, the following themes were discussed: advancing the truth in our praxis, fairness, harmony, and humanness. The paper, therefore, recommends that educators apply the practice of including the emerged themes in their learning content for improved grades and low dropout rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has become increasingly salient as the industry continues to struggle with recruitment and retention of high-quality talent throughout construction organizations in the US. The existing literature has explored the barriers faced by various groups who are underrepresented in the construction industry; however, the research is fragmented and lacks a set of synthetic conclusions to drive future work. To this end, we performed a systematic literature review (SLR) to analyze the existing literature, which has categorized the barriers contributing to underrepresentation of women, ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ), and individuals who have been previously incarcerated. As a result of the SLR, 10 influential variable clusters affecting the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups were identified, including (1) organizational aspects, (2) work environment, (3) work–life balance, (4) individual or project performance, (5) education, (6) health, (7) safety, (8) wage gap, (9) communication, and (10) ethics. Our findings lead to suggestions for further research, including a need to identify best practices based on empirical evidence from within the range of current DEI practices that have been investigated by prior research. Our results can benefit practitioners, legislators, employers, and others working to improve DEI in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: For over 15 years, Mental Health First Aid™ (MHFA) has successfully been delivered in Wales, United Kingdom, with growing interest in the MHFA programme and increasing course attendees. Trainers, aware of the need for support, know the importance of MHFA being accessible for different communities and learner groups. MHFA has always focused on increasing mental health literacy. One marginalised group, with lower mental health literacy than the general population, is Deaf people, a group with increased risk of mental health problems. This paper aims to provide insights about why Deaf people are twice as likely as hearing people to experience mental health problems. Design/methodology/approach: During this paper, the authors have used four focal points i) exploring situational contexts for Deaf people; ii) reasons why Deaf individuals are at greater risk of mental health problems; iii) the authors explore a project, "Hear Deaf", and implementation of MHFA Wales by Deaf MHFA trainers; and iv) initiatives to influence and impact on policymakers. Findings: During the project, nine MHFA courses were delivered to Deaf communities across different locations in Wales, often with information and advertisements circulated directly to Deaf communities through Deaf clubs, resulting in 120 Deaf people trained. The authors conclude with their own reflections as a researcher and an MHFA who work predominantly with Deaf communities. Originality/value: This paper provides a discussion on the specific risks for Deaf people around mental health and the importance of mental health promotion programmes for Deaf communities. Further research is needed regarding the impact of MHFA on Deaf populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disabilities are increasingly actively involved within research projects. For many of them this is a temporary role, but some work on longer-term projects and even build a career out of it. This is the case for the first author of this paper. He has worked as a researcher for almost six years. He is involved in various projects, all highly diverse in terms of subject, design, scope and collaboration with fellow researchers. In this paper, he looks back on his experiences in recent years. Together with colleagues, he reflects on his contribution to the various projects, his own development as a researcher and the impact of the work on his personal life. He finds that the essence of the motto 'Nothing about us, without us' has become increasingly intertwined with his life and identity through his work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Capability Approach (CA) as a means of identifying the barriers that individuals with disabilities face in achieving their goals, this conceptual paper aims to provoke discussion and identify how society excludes and marginalises individuals with disabilities. As framed through the lens of consumer vulnerability, reimagining how society, policy makers and the market can transform lived experiences, representation and symbolism of disability, this paper calls for a coherent and integrated set of actions. Central to these actions is a proposal for a transformative approach to marketplace access as a coordinated force to deliver positive change for people with disabilities. Through developing a new conceptual way of how the market should engage with disability, this paper presents proposals looking to ensure individuals with disabilities experience the conditions in which they can pursue their ultimate ends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many disabled people, violence can become an unwanted, yet ordinary part of everyday life. Often, these crimes are attributed to understandings of disabled people as vulnerable and largely, passive victims. Attending to the aims of this special issue, this paper aims to dismantle these stereotypes and attend to the unique ways that disabled people can resist and respond to hate crime through creative and collaborative research practices. Building upon this, I argue that there is a pressing need for hate studies researchers to work "with" and not "on" those who have experienced targeted violence. Working in this way builds upon long-standing efforts of disabled activists and disabilities studies researchers to challenge reductive research practices by working in more collective and inclusive ways. To demonstrate this, I reflect upon a project working in partnership with disabled people to create a disability hate crime toolkit. The toolkit, now published, shares accessible and informative resources that can be used to raise awareness about disability hate crime. While the focus of this paper is disability, I consider methods of collaboration, co-production and participation that can be drawn upon by researchers to respond to hate crime and interpersonal violence more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores historical ableism in the United States workforce from the close of the Civil War to the end of World War II. It discusses the issues people with disabilities (PWD), including disabled veterans, faced when entering or returning to the workforce, along with the policy and practical shifts that occurred to mitigate such issues. We approach this discussion with a critical and intersectional lens, situating the shift within critical disability studies and framing analyses within historically relevant medical, economic, and social modes of disability. We aim to inform Human Resource Development (HRD) scholars, practitioners, and educators about PWD's often underrepresented histories in various workplaces and training programs by demonstrating the impacts of the models and workplace ableism. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the legacies of historical policies and practices continue to shape professional and continuing education for many PWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the charged line between "laughing with" and "laughing at" people with disabilities. It documents how "the line" is structured, how the line between "laughing with" and "laughing at" is manifested, and how we might reasonably surmise when it has been crossed. Two television series are examined and compared. The first, Love on the Spectrum, is an Australian reality series that follows a number of young adults on the autism spectrum, as they search for love and go on dates with others who also are on the spectrum. Much of the charm of the series is that it evokes laughter, frequently at the seriousness of the people it portrays. The laughter raised during Love on the Spectrum is compared with the laughter encouraged by British comedian Ricky Gervais's 2012–2014 series Derek, which is about a character who many viewers identified as being on the autism spectrum. The paper discusses similarities between the two series, but concludes by proposing that the laughter invited by the protagonists' seriousness during these two series in fact is structured very differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the multifaceted landscape of dyslexia within the context of digital environments, aiming to explore the nuanced challenges faced by dyslexic individuals and propose design interventions to cater to their diverse needs. Dyslexia, recognised as a neurobiological learning disability characterised by difficulties in language processing and reading comprehension, continues to pose unique challenges despite advancements in its understanding and diagnosis. The study draws from interviews conducted with dyslexic individuals, highlighting the spectrum of challenges encountered. It reveals the varied nature of dyslexia experiences, spanning struggles in languagespecific domains, reading difficulties, and individualised approaches to coping with the disability. Furthermore, it critically examines existing digital assistive technologies, emphasising their limitations in meeting the tailored requirements of dyslexic learners, often failing to align with individual learning approaches and impeding effective learning experiences. Acknowledging the dichotomy between the aid provided by assistive tools and the need to cultivate personal skills, this paper advocates for a balanced approach. It explores a range of tools and educational tactics employed by dyslexic individuals, emphasising the importance of personalised, adaptable solutions to accommodate diverse experiences and preferences. The study progresses to present low-fidelity design probes as potential interventions in the digital sphere, focusing on tools that allow gradual skill development and customisation. These prototypes aim to provide tailored support while fostering the growth of personal tactics and skills, aiming to strike a harmonious balance between assistance and skill enhancement. Despite these contributions, this study faces limitations, including a restricted sample size and a lack of longitudinal data. The research methodology could benefit from a more comprehensive approach, integrating quantitative measures and expanding participant diversity to enhance generalisability. Furthermore, a deeper synthesis of existing literature and a more explicit theoretical framework could strengthen the theoretical underpinnings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of paper is to study a deep learning strategy for recognizing Indian Sign Language (ISL) using convolutional neural networks CNN. Sign language recognition has become a crucial tool for enhancing communication and accessibility for the deaf in India. ISL is a visual-gestural language used by the deaf population in India, and it is a visual-gestural language used by the deaf community in India. Gesture based communication Application is a characteristic language that involves various methods for articulation for correspondence in day-to-day existence. This paper presents a Programmed interpretation framework for token of manual letters in order in English communication via gestures. It manages pictures of uncovered hands, which permits the client to cooperate with the framework in a characteristic manner. In proposed system a deep learning model using CNN with ISL (Indian Sign Language) Dataset is used. The model consists of preprocessing the dataset to extract features from the image, then train a CNN to recognize the signs and gestures with audio. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is capable of achieving accuracy in recognizing ISL signs and gestures with accuracy of 0.868, recall 0.856, precision 0.863, and F-score is 0.884 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment subsidies are important active labour market policy (ALMP) tools, suited to a variety of labour market challenges. This paper engages with recent ALMP categorisation debates by appraising Cronert's (2019) recent typology of employment subsidies. It uses empirical material to assess the typology's explanatory power and produce insights to inform further typological development. The illustrative case of the British ' Wage Incentive' (2012-2014) is used to assess the typology's analytical purchase. Cronert's typology helpfully identifies key distinctions in the distributional profiles of employment subsidies, but further understanding of the category is impeded by the practice of defining them as demand-side interventions. The paper argues for a reappraisal of their supply-side characteristics, maintaining that the (potential) worker should be included in the analysis, and that employment subsidies' relationship with training and job creation should be acknowledged. It proposes a redefinition of employment subsidies reflecting their real-world use, and suggests a framework for further exploring varieties of employment subsidy design from the perspective of beneficiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper introduces "Word Sri," an inventive voice-based web application designed to enhance written Sinhala communication and originality. The application incorporates features such as a plagiarism checker, grammar checker, voice-activated punctuation, and intuitive voice commands in an effort to accommodate a diverse user base, including individuals with disabilities, language learners, writers, journalists, students, and professionals. The first aspect of the paper explores the creation of a user-friendly Sinhala Grammar Checker with Fix Sentences & Punctuation, addressing the dearth of effective language tools for grammar, punctuation, and orthography correction. Using a comprehensive analysis of Sinhala language components, literature, and a corpus of text data, the model provides students, academicians, and professionals with real-time error feedback and correction. The second aspect highlights the distinctive characteristics of the "Word Sri" application, emphasizing its usefulness for voice-based Sinhala content creation. Notably, the application includes a cutting-edge Sinhala plagiarism analyzer that uses machine learning algorithms, synonym and paraphrase detection to improve the originality of content. This research represents a significant advancement in Sinhala language technology, as it provides a unified platform for efficient voice-based typing, accurate grammar checks, and plagiarism detection, thereby facilitating effective written communication and originality in Sinhala for global users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper delves into the complexities of daily dispersed tech team dynamics and aims to understand the underlying reasons for the challenges that such teams face. Through personal observations and analysis, this paper aims to identify communication barriers and propose actionable insights and strategies for improvement. Design/methodology/approach: By leveraging personal insights and observations from the IT HR field from three different countries, information and data was collected. Such personalized approach allowed for a deeper exploration of real-world scenarios, how physically dispersed teams work and what challenges they struggle with. A comprehensive examination of the issues faced by tech teams operating globally also allowed to observe the noteworthy outcomes that could bring the best benefit for such teams. Findings: As geographically dispersed tech teams continue to gain popularity, understanding the challenges that the teams might face and the potential ways of solving them become As HR as well as team managers roles now evolve, flexibility becomes paramount for navigating global team dynamics. Originality/value: This paper is a contemporary call for action to stimulate management, enlightening them on the requisites for establishing and cultivating high-performing teams that work across geographical boundaries. There is a lack of understanding of what challenges physically dispersed teams face and to what degree those challenges impact the teams. This paper addresses this deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociology & Technoscience / Sociología y Tecnociencia is the property of Universidad de Valladolid, Escuela Universitaria de Educacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

My paper explores the question of when it is wrong for a state's immigration criteria to discriminate against people with disabilities, focusing on the idea that discrimination is wrong when it demeans a group, rather than when it disadvantages them. I argue that selecting against people with disabilities often demeans them but might not always do so even when immigration criteria explicitly exclude people on the basis of having disabilities – that is, in cases of direct discrimination. Moreover, I demonstrate that certain cases of less direct forms of discrimination that select against people with disabilities – in particular, when states apply health-cost limits on admissions – can function as proxies designed to exclude people with disabilities and thereby demean them. Finally, I explain why my analysis of discrimination's wrong does not typically apply to health conditions in general, such as heart, liver, or lung disease or cancer, setting my view apart from a prominent view in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the irreverence and disregard towards the ma(d)isabled bodies in Indian texts and contexts. It focuses on the relation between notions of disability and madness to examine the constructed nature of such terms. The basic proposition is that persons with disability are examined as bodies on the boundary: It is the boundary that defines normalcy. However, it is the same boundary that brings together those elements that challenge the boundary. What defines disability or madness is not its nature, but its relation to what has been institutionalized. The paper examines Jerry Pinto's Em and the Big Hoom (2013) to analyze what terms like 'disability' and 'madness' are invested within the Indian context. It is interesting to note the multivalent meanings that ensue and how they are peculiar to a culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016 WHO launched the priority assistive products list (APL) consisting of 50 products and recommended that using this as a reference, countries should develop their own contextually relevant national APLs. This paper describes the development of Malawi's APL. Two hundred and ninety-six persons with disabilities participated in a rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) survey. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) with people with various types of disabilities were conducted. The rATA questionnaire and FGDs collected data on assistive products (APs) participants used, APs they needed and the challenges they experienced. Data collection was done in six districts spread across the three regions in Malawi. All age groups were included in the survey. Persons with disabilities aged less than 18 participated but went with their guardians. All persons who participated in this study provided consent. Survey and FGDs results were presented at an APL consensus meeting with policymakers, service providers, disabled peoples' organizations and development partners in the disability sector. Based on the results and further discussions, a consensus was reached on the priority APs for Malawi. More than a third of respondents used wheelchairs (32%), followed by auxiliary crutches (25%), walking sticks (13%), reading glasses (11%), prosthesis (10%), elbow crutches (9%) and orthosis (8%). There is also a high demand for products such as pull-up underwear (incontinence products) (79%), hearing aids (70%), reading glasses (59%) and diapers (63%). After intensive discussions during a consensus meeting, an agreement was reached on the 22 priority APs for Malawi. There is a wide range of APs being used by people with different functional limitations in Malawi. There is also a demand for APs that are not readily available. When developing an APL, the list should include products in use, those in demand, and those recommended by service providers. Following the development of the priority assistive products list (APL) by WHO, member states should develop their own contextually based APL. The development of the APL should be based on research evidence. All key stakeholders including persons with disabilities and other functional limitations, government, and development partners should participate in this process. The APL should be part of the national health system or community services. The Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, being the Government of Malawi line ministry coordinating disability issues participated actively in this study including inviting participants in the stakeholders' validation workshop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to support employers in avoiding linguistic profiling of individuals with communication disabilities; thereby reducing their exclusion from the workforce. It provides employers and others in the workplace with examples of speech, language and communication differences, common false stereotypes and assumptions, and strategies to prevent and address the negative effects of linguistic profiling. Design/methodology/approach: The paper offers a general overview of linguistic profiling as it relates to individuals with communication disabilities. Pertinent examples and findings from previous literature are included to illustrate linguistic profiling across speech, language and mode of communication, and to provide recommendations for inclusive workplace practices to ensure that career success is accessible to individuals with communication disabilities. Findings: Linguistic profiling is a barrier to successful and inclusive employment for individuals with communication disabilities. Education, training and the use of inclusive practices can reduce linguistic profiling of individuals with communication disabilities in the workplace. Originality/value: Though linguistic profiling used to make inferences of social constructs such as race and gender has long been discussed, little discussion surrounds individuals with communication disabilities and the impact it has in their lives and careers. This paper uniquely highlights communication disability in the linguistic profiling discussion so that organizations can be more aware of the impact and the need to create supportive and inclusive workplace environments and in turn reduce discrimination and increase diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to introduce the concept of using the well-established Shared Lives approach to support survivors of domestic abuse with complex needs including those with learning and physical disabilities, older people and carers. Design/methodology/approach: Survivors with complex needs are often excluded from traditional domestic abuse support services thus increasing their risk and making recovery impossible. Using the Shared Lives approach in suitable cases could address gaps in provision and improve the outcomes for survivors with disabilities, older survivors and carers. Findings: The paper draws on evidence from reports and research about the experiences of these cohorts of survivors to explain how the Shared Lives approach could increase support options for specific categories of survivors. Practical implications: Using the Shared Lives approach to support cohorts of victims/survivors who experience barriers to accessing support could improve outcomes for these people, reduce risk of serious harm and improve quality of life. Originality/value: With the recent recommendation from Association of Directors of Adult Social Services around increasing use of Shared Lives, this paper provides one potential way to meet this recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Iuris Stetinensis is the property of Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecinskiego / University of Szczecin Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Social impairments experienced by children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can limit participation in meaningful occupations. Incorporating typically developing siblings of children with ASD in occupational therapy-based community settings is an emerging practice approach that aims to support children with ASD during social challenges to enhance their participation in daily activities. The inclusion of siblings in occupational therapy practice presents a unique opportunity to address social skill development while facilitating positive sibling relationships. In this Opinions in the Profession paper, the influential role siblings play as social models for their siblings with ASD will be examined. The purpose of this paper is to describe sibling-mediated interventions and the distinct role of occupational therapists in facilitating positive sibling interactions and relationships through a coaching approach to promote the achievement of positive social and emotional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an audio recording of originally textual fanfiction, podfic has an implicitly, technically accessible nature for those with print impairments. In the course of twenty interviews with podfic listeners and creators, this project discovered that the podfic medium does not merely provide technical accessibility, but its supportive fan community creates rich cultural access with affective and participatory aspects. The paper argues that this accessibility can only be understood, valued, and replicated in other contexts by first disrupting calcified boundaries around the concepts of 'disability' and 'access'. This makes room for people with so-called 'invisible' disabilities such as chronic pain, mental illness, and neurodiversity, as well as those with other forms of intersecting marginalisation, such as on the basis of gender, class, and/or race, to understand their access needs within a framework of disability. Within this critical inclusive framework, the overlap between 'access' and 'convenience' in regard to digital media like podfic encourages coalition among variously marginalised and dis/abled fans. Further, podfic community conversations and norms based in strong emotional and creative ties lay the groundwork for long-term disability access support. Thus, podfic as a case study can theoretically and practically inform diverse digital communities' efforts to generate inclusive disability access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the subjective inclusion experiences of visually impaired (VI) adult tennis players from an ableism-critical perspective. The primary focus of this research is the inclusive potential of blind tennis from the perspective of VI individuals. Episodic interviews were conducted to capture subjective perspectives. A qualitative text analysis revealed that the interviewees were confronted with multiple ability assumptions by sighted people in their everyday lives. Deficit notions on the performance of VI people included sports, work, and general activities. Participation in blind tennis helped the interviewees build a "competent identity" and acquire various skills useful for their everyday lives as participation in blind tennis was a pathway for competence in sports. Further research is needed to identify exclusion experiences from the perspective of disabled people to recognize the potential of different sports in reducing barriers to participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assistive Robotic Arms are designed to assist physically disabled people with daily activities. Existing joysticks and head controls are not applicable for severely disabled people such as people with Locked-in Syndrome. Therefore, eye tracking control is part of ongoing research. The related literature spans many disciplines, creating a heterogeneous field that makes it difficult to gain an overview. Objectives: This work focuses on ARAs that are controlled by gaze and eye movements. By answering the research questions, this paper provides details on the design of the systems, a comparison of input modalities, methods for measuring the performance of these controls, and an outlook on research areas that gained interest in recent years. Methods: This review was conducted as outlined in the PRISMA2020 Statement. After identifying a wide range of approaches in use the authors decided to use the PRISMA-ScR extension for a scoping review to present the results. The identification process was carried out by screening three databases. After the screening process, a snowball search was conducted. Results: 39 articles and 6 reviews were included in this article. Characteristics related to the system and study design were extracted and presented divided into three groups based on the use of eye tracking. Conclusion: This paper aims to provide an overview for researchers new to the field by offering insight into eye tracking based robot controllers. We have identified open questions that need to be answered in order to provide people with severe motor function loss with systems that are highly useable and accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic overshadowing is a bias in which symptoms of a psychological disorder are falsely attributed to a known diagnosis of intellectual disability. This systematic review evaluated all research on diagnostic overshadowing conducted to date, including dissertations and peer-reviewed journal articles. In total, 25 studies were included in this review. Findings suggest diagnostic overshadowing may not be as ubiquitous as originally believed, with one third of included studies finding no overshadowing. The quality of the evidence was graded as "Low" using the LEGEND tool, with common issues including outdated studies, analogue methodologies, small sample sizes and convenience samples, and inappropriate conducting or reporting of statistical analyses. Implications for the field and recommendations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-specific back pain is a global concern. Exercise and health education are crucial components in its management. The Back School is a theoretical practical program that integrates both elements. The objective of this study is to determine if Back School-based programs are effective in reducing pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in patients with non-specific back pain. Methods: A systematic review of research involving participants with non-specific back pain was carried out on databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline. Results: In total, 25 papers were chosen for review. All of these papers focused on the effects on the lumbar area, with the exception of one paper that specifically targeted the cervical region. The pain variable showed statistically significant results with standardized mean differences of −1.01 (950 confidence interval = −1.39 to −0.63; p < 0.001), and the disability variable had standardized mean differences of −0.98 (95% confidence interval = −1.38 to −0.58; p < 0.001), and only one study analysed the kinesiophobia variable and concluded that Back School programs have a positive effect on kinesiophobia between the baseline and post-intervention levels. Conclusions: Back School programs have shown effectiveness in reducing non-specific back pain and lowering disability rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I examine how an organization narratively constructs its prototypical disabled employee. Data comprise public narratives of the Government of India, the country's largest employer of disabled persons. Narratives during 2008–2016 were considered as this timespan witnessed the design of inclusive legislation that emphasized defining disabled persons and their entitlements. Findings indicate that the label of "disadvantage" was consistently used to portray the target employee. Alongside other narrative material suggesting, for example that the target employee was someone who required employment assistance, this label was supplied to external audiences to convert them into potential partners. This supply of narrative material further reinforced the portrayal of the target employee. Consistent use of this expansive label subsumed changing definitions of who is a disabled person, allowed for aggregations with diverse disadvantaged collectives, and accommodated changes in employment entitlements and ecosystem partners, thereby allowing the reading of change in stable narratives. The contributions of this paper lie in highlighting how the consistent use of an expansive label can cast narrative stability and change as complementary, and in suggesting that narrating a prototypical employee entails shaping the setting outside the employing organization toward employee categorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted with the intent of bringing about a paradigm shift in the way the general population perceives disability. The paper reports the findings of a qualitative inquiry that used a phenomenological approach to discuss the social grievances of persons with disabilities from a human rights-based perspective and in the context of the middleincome small island nation of The Maldives. Fifteen participants with disabilities, as well as carers and parents of children with disabilities, took part in the study. The findings indicated that the environment is physically disabling, and opportunities for participation, including access to quality education, and social protection for people with disabilities, are limited. The findings speak to the need for a shift in the social view that persons with disabilities are dependantsto enabling human diversity and facilitating the capabilities of persons with disability, their dignity and meaningful engagement in society. The paper concludes there is a need to explore further approaches to encouraging a shift in society and using a human rights approach to social protection to make progress towards the Leave No One Behind Agenda of 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper starts with the increasing discussions on juridification in education. Concerning theorizing on such processes, we examine the poor implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD (2008) in the school sector of Germany. The paper considers the reasons for this failed endeavor by analyzing the complex, multilevel relations between policy and law in different national and historical contexts. With this, aspects of juridification as a process in education policy can be illuminated. In this regard, we suggest crucial aspects regarding juridification in public education: a focus on regulative failures in juridification processes, juridification's contexts, the mandate for putting it into action, the allocation of resources, and finally, its objective and subjective rights dimensions, i.e. how an individual can claim rights within the machinery of public education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to describe and evaluate the impact of a compassion-focused therapy (CFT) group for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Design/methodology/approach: People with ID are commonly subjected to stigmatising experiences that can contribute to feelings of shame. CFT targets shame and self-criticism by helping people to cultivate self-compassion. There is evidence to suggest that CFT can be meaningfully adapted for people with ID. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a mixed-methods design, aiming to gain a rich evaluation of the CFT group. Eight adults with ID were referred by their local community psychology team. An 11-week group protocol was based on materials from previous research. The protocol included the development of a "compassion box", aiming to make CFT concepts more concrete and tangible. Questionnaires measuring psychological distress, self-compassion and negative social comparisons were completed pre- and post-group. Feedback from participants and carers were collated and facilitators' observations were recorded. Findings: Questionnaire findings were mixed, and some participants found the measures difficult to understand. Participants' qualitative feedback and facilitators' observations suggested that the group created feelings of safety and connectedness whilst facilitating engagement and action with shame and self-criticism. Several participants highlighted the usefulness of the '"compassion box", although some barriers were noted. Originality/value: This paper provides a rich description of how group CFT can be adapted to meet the needs of adults with ID and is the first study of its kind, to the best of the authors' knowledge, to evaluate the incorporation of the "compassion box". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to trace Tata Group's role in responding to disability in the decades immediately following India's independence until the preliberalization period of the Indian economy, i.e. from the 1950s to the 1990s. Design/methodology/approach: This study's methodology entailed a historiographical approach and archival engagement at Tata Archives (Pune, India) of the company documents. Materials and records of the Tata Company between 1942 and 1992. Findings: Adopting the corporate culture lens, the study findings show that Tata Group demonstrated an active prosocial corporate approach toward disability. In a period governed by the ideology of a state-dominated developmental approach, Tata Group's initiatives were related to medical interventions for a wide spectrum of disabilities, rehabilitation and efforts to ensure persons with disabilities (PWDS)' livelihood. Originality/value: Disability, in the neoliberalized economic landscape of India, is an emergent business issue for companies espousing workplace diversity. The historical understanding of business engagement with disability from postindependence to liberalization in India remains, however, limited. In postindependence India, the passive business response to disability emerged within an ethical and discretionary framework, with charity and philanthropy as the main modes of engagement. In this background, this paper explores Tata's response to disability and PWDs, which was distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to offer a commentary on Denne et al.'s (2024) article discussing the journey undertaken by the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network to augment evidence surrounding the efficacy of the online Headsprout® Early Reading programme. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from over 15 years of professional experience as a qualified teacher in special education settings, the author reflects on the network's approach and its alignment with their own expertise. Findings: While acknowledging the commendable focus of the network on amassing additional evidence, this commentary underscores the importance of identifying barriers and fostering adaptability within the educational landscape. Central to the discussion is the imperative to prioritise students' needs and tailor data collection methods to suit their unique contexts. Originality/value: This commentary is aimed at professionals working in special education settings striving to improve their practice and student outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the life and travels of the Victorian explorer Isabella Bird Bishop offers important insights into the history of disabled people within the discipline of geography. Bird Bishop is an important figure within geography's disciplinary history, as one of the first women admitted to the Royal Geographical Society in 1892. She also had a long‐standing spinal condition that intermingled with psychological symptoms. In studying how her disability (and contemporary understandings of her body) shaped her travels, this paper shows how disability interacted with Bird Bishop's racial and gender identity in shaping where and how she travelled and how she wrote about her experiences. By drawing attention to the role that disability played in justifying her travels and the positive effect travel had on her health, this paper highlights her generally positive experiences of geographical travel as a disabled person. Studying Isabella Bird Bishop's life reveals insights into the history of disabled people in geography. She was one of the first women admitted to the Royal Geographical Society in 1892 and had a spinal condition affecting her travels, physical health and psychological well‐being. This paper analyses how Bird Bishop's gender, class and racial identity interacted with her disability at home and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major impacts of hearing disability that hinders the individual's effective participation in society and full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms is his/her ability to communicate with others. Sign language is one of the main methods of communication used by people with hearing disability. Therefore, improving access to sign language services and increasing the availability of interpreters contribute to better inclusion and integration of people with hearing disability into society. This paper explores the experience of a Jordanian university that launched a pioneering initiative by offering a sign language course for its students. It reports the findings of a study that evaluated this initiative from the perspective of students. Feedback was recorded during unstructured interviews with 23 student participants who had taken the course. The paper concludes that universities can play a significant role in integrating people with disabilities into the education system and promoting their participation in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of deinstitutionalisation gained momentum in the late 20th century, driven by disability rights movements and increased awareness of the harms of institutionalisation. This paper provides an overview of deinstitutionalisation in South Korea, focusing on the transformation of large disability residential facilities since the 1970s, with efforts towards promoting independent living. Current debates highlight conflicting perspectives among stakeholders. Advocates, primarily disabled individuals, support accelerated deinstitutionalisation for its benefits in autonomy, social integration, and improved quality of life. However, oppositions from families and service providers express concerns about care gaps and the need for specialized support for people with higher support needs. The paper underscores the importance of establishing a consensus on deinstitutionalisation objectives and proposes multidimensional alternatives, including legislative reforms, expanded community services, and improved facilities. Fostering social agreement is identified as pivotal for successful deinstitutionalisation and the well-being of disabled individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will briefly introduce the traditional disability studies project through the social model of disability and how its inherent theoretical limitations became the impetus to perpetuate a need to adopt critical disability theory (CDT) to expand the intellectual arsenal of the discipline. Being a reflexive inquiry that resists domination that oppresses people with disabilities, CDT's reach produced work in conversation with other areas of critical social thought and inspired this paper to explore how post-colonial work – particularly Homi Bhabha's hybridity theory – can be incorporated into CDT's paradigmatic views of power. This paper concludes by addressing some of the debates and cultural implications that stem from conceptually merging CDT and post-colonial hybridity theory to frame how it can reimagine the possibilities and trajectories of a global disability movement. Points of interest: This article addresses the two main ideas in disability studies, starting with the social model of disability, which helped put forth critical disability theory. Critical disability theory suggests that people with disabilities are controlled by others using the idea of 'impairment' to justify their power. The article suggests that critical disability theory can benefit from an approach called post-colonial hybridity, which combines global North and South ideas to help represent people with disabilities in the Southern part of the world. The article also concludes by exemplifying how mental health and traditional healing practices are combined to support well-being. The authors encourage people studying disability to listen to different voices worldwide to understand how the world is changing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper considers the ways that publicly funded developmental services for adults with developmental disabilities in southern Ontario are limited in how they support clients. This paper is informed by field research conducted in the summer of 2019, which was composed of semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a policy review. Informed by parent advocates who are the main caregivers of their adult children labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this paper claims that the administrative processes of the Ontario ministry that manages and funds adult disability services relate to broader exclusionary patterns among adults with developmental disabilities. I explore this claim by reviewing how common ableist assumptions of people with developmental disabilities are ingrained in the policies and administrative processes of these services. I contribute to ongoing discussions among Critical Disability Scholars of the ways that disability as a social category can be articulated outside of ableist assumptions. Informed by parent caregiver perspectives, this article outlines how the limitations of provincially funded disability services in Ontario, Canada cause significant challenge in the lives of those labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One possible explanation for these limitations is that there is a disconnect between how the provincial government classifies who should receive immediate services and how many services, versus the actual need of those labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The criteria for high supports, such as monthly funding, placement into a living facility, and the provincial assessment for determining a person's 'adaptive functioning' are rooted in problematic assumptions made of people labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manual wheelchairs, which are the basic means of transport for people with disabilities, are usually characterized by an inefficient adaptation to the physical capabilities of their users. For this reason, it is advisable to search for solutions that will allow us to change the parameters of the mechanical power generated by human muscles. For this purpose, mechanical gearing known from other solutions, for example, from bicycles, can be used. The paper describes the design methodology and a number of issues related to the construction of an innovative wheelchair prototype using a chain transmission in its drive system. This solution allows for the implementation of a variable ratio between the wheels and the pushrims. Thus, it effectively allows for matching the demand for driving torque to the movement conditions and the physical capabilities of its user. The use of such a system provides the basis for increasing the efficiency of the manual propulsion process. Initial studies show that changing the gear ratio allows for different speeds of the wheelchair wheel. In the tests conducted, the root mean square of this value varied from 15.2 RPM to 35.5 RPM, which resulted in a change in power from 15.8 W to 40.1 W. Of course, the values of rotational speed and torque show a cyclically changing character, which results from the intermittent nature of generating drive by the wheelchair user. The average peak values of rotational speed were 31.4 ± 1.7 RPM, 44.3 ± 3.4 RPM and 57.9 ± 3.4 RPM, while the torque was 12.1 ± 0.5 Nm, 12.4 ± 0.4 Nm and 14.1 ± 0.6 Nm for Gears 1, 4 and 6, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This methodological paper connects posthuman conceptualizations of voice with artistic research and examines whether it opens toward different registers and levels of embodied and aesthetic forms of knowing that cut across normative accounts of what it means to know. We start from what Patti Lather calls 'a praxis of stuck places' and ask how to give voice to experiences such as chronic illness and pain, while at the same time disrupting representational forms of illness and pain. To investigate this, we first critically engage with the popular genre of the health diary and its representational form. Secondly, we explore how Lisa A. Mazzei concept of 'voice without subject' can support us in disrupting the normative and representational production of voice, while working with a failing voice. Finally, we analyze the sound installation, A Borrowed Diary —made by M. Broeckmeyer, and explore how it opens up alternative approaches to voice and chronic pain. We will argue that making 'voice without subject' work, touch, and resonate can impact the lives of people who often remain unheard, in that it acknowledges experiences and expressions that are mostly not validated. Creating with 'voice without subject' makes tangible how personal experiences, however, temporarily, contribute to the bigger picture of how we look at and listen to people with illnesses and/or disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on publications produced by one of the oldest and leading professional associations dealing with intellectual disability (ID), this paper explores the continual maintenance of expertise over potentially contested classifications. I find that, given unforeseen difficulties among professionals in actually defining and classifying what is currently known as ID as well as the later addition of new stakeholders in the advocacy field, professionals’ understanding of revision shifted over time from a problem to ultimately be solved to a “legacy of revision” used to explain past changes in criteria and anticipate further ones. In analyzing this legacy, I focus on professionals’ understanding of several shifts surrounding diagnostic and classification criteria over the course of the twentieth and into the twenty-first century. To the extent that previous literature suggests that ambiguities surrounding classification are to be expected, this paper shows how professionals in the ID field drew on resonant themes and rhetorically (re)framed past and future changes in their maintenance of expertise in a field that dramatically shifted in what was acceptable in the treatment of people with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation systems are a basis of disability-related activity involvement in society. In Tehran, the capital of Iran, a paratransit system for disabled people has been operating since 2013, but the market share is gradually losing for reasons unknown to practitioners. Although paratransit systems for people with disabilities exist in many cities, no comprehensive study has been completed to identify attitudinal and contextual barriers to the continuance intention to use the system, particularly in a low-income developing country. Thus, due to limitations faced by qualified experts in this field, the adoption of efficient transportation policy and engineering interventions is still limited. The Technology Continuance Theory (TCT) is employed in this study as a structural equation modeling framework to analyze and quantify relationships based on the data gathered by face-to-face interviews. The mediation/moderation analyses in this paper reveal that (i) stress, (ii) self-efficacy, (ii) social isolation, (iv) mode captivity, (v) experience of usage, and (vi) type of disability are of prime importance in disabled people's intention to reuse the paratransit system. Stress is examined through serial mediation analysis. The analysis reveals that stress due to the system's uncertain attributes significantly influences satisfaction. Self-efficacy and social isolation are presented for the moderation and moderated-mediation analyses. It is found that the urban mobility performance of the system is of more importance to disabled people with lower self-efficacy (high social isolation); however, their stress is not significantly reduced even by increasing the usefulness of the system. The mode captivity is also redefined in this context and entered as a moderator. It is found that, for captive riders, satisfaction does not have a dominating role in the intention to use the paratransit system, as the users are constrained by taking what is available or nothing. The usage experience is another moderator, and our analysis shows that attitude is a determinant of behavior for long-term users, while satisfaction with a transient effect is a dominating factor for short-term ones. Finally, the users are categorized by type of disability , and the moderation analysis shows that for people with physical disabilities, the system's performance is the most influential factor in their satisfaction, while for people with sensory disabilities, other factors related to amenity, safety, and support are also prominent. This paper ultimately presents explicit and thorough policy considerations and practical implications. The article's concluding remark will comprise a disclosure of previously undisclosed insights that underlie the study's findings. • Transportation systems are a basis of activity participation of disabled people. • We try to investigate factors the operator of a paratransit system must consider to attract and retain users. • Technology Continuance Theory is employed in this study as a structural equation modeling framework. • This analysis finally suggests detailed, clear, and specific engineering measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and Communication Technologies have transformed our lives in different social areas, facilitating interpersonal relationships thanks to technological tools. In the specific case of people with disabilities, Assistive Technologies (ATs) break down barriers and increase opportunities to become active members of society with equal opportunities. This paper presents a systematic mapping study that analyzes the current state-of-the-art of ATs proposed in the literature to support the empowering of people with disability. Specifically, this paper focuses on (1) describing a global vision of the scientific literature published in the last 20 years about ATs in the computer science field and (2) identifying research needs, gaps, and trends. For this purpose, an in-depth analysis of 389 primary studies is presented. The information obtained from the mapping process is also constrained. Concretely, 35 ATs versus 22 disabilities are compared, obtaining striking peaks for some disabilities described in the discussion. Finally, the findings show that several areas have been covered only lightly, revealing interesting future directions and challenges for junior researchers. • ATs have the potential to break down barriers for people with disabilities, enabling them to participate more fully in society. This implies a need for rehabilitation programs to incorporate ATs into their strategies to enhance social inclusion. • Given the transformative role of ICT, rehabilitation programs should focus on helping people with disabilities develop the necessary technological skills to utilize ATs effectively. • This work highlights the diversity of ATs and disabilities, suggesting a need for personalized rehabilitation plans that match specific ATs to individual disabilities. • Rehabilitation professionals should be trained to assess and recommend appropriate ATs for each case. Rehabilitation programs should consider incorporating cutting-edge ATs and staying involved in research to contribute to future developments to cover gaps and challenges identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The web was conceived in 1997 with the goal of universal accessibility. However, it still presents obstacles for users with diverse abilities. Although interactions in digital environments have improved the quality of life for many people, they remain a source of limitations and frustrations, up to twice as much for users with total visual impairment, which is commonly known as blindness. This article emphasizes the need to provide designers and developers with methodologies and tools that consider users with different abilities in all stages and from the beginning of the design, redesign, and development of digital products and services on the web, collecting their needs and goals and delving into their reactions and emotions. While an approach based on persona archetypes can optimally represent each group of users with disabilities throughout website design processes, serving as a communication and empathy tool for development teams and stakeholders, it is essential that this tool considers all dimensions involved in the experiences of people with disabilities. This conceptual paper develops a methodology that provides designers with a persona tool that effectively captures the goals and emotions of these users in their interaction with the web. This methodology proposal is multidimensional and holistic. It addresses conscious and subconscious dimensions, combines traditional user experience and neuroscientific techniques, focuses on total visual impairment, the most challenging in digital environments, and makes it adaptable to other disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]