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The increased accessibility of technology is often employed as rationale for data extraction and surveillance. This paper examines critical perspectives on surveillance and educational technologies from Library and Information Science (LIS) literature, as well as those from disability studies that concern technology development more broadly. This research aims to understand how a disability justice framework can interrogate both the overall expansion of surveillance technologies and justifications for increased surveillance that argue that data extraction and analytics lead to increased accessibility for disabled users. As an activist approach toward disability advocacy that underscores the connections between white supremacy, sexism and colonialism as central to ableism, disability justice recognizes surveillance technologies as embedded in systems of power that disproportionately harm people of color, immigrants, transgender people, and gender nonconforming people. Using a disability justice framework, this paper argues against the expansion of surveillance technologies – especially in the name of increasing accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Design for All or Universal Design is a relatively new domain in Ergonomics. With globally ageing populations, it has however recently gained significant interest. OBJECTIVE: This position paper summarizes the outcomes of a workshop held at the virtual 21st Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association. The paper expands the horizon of traditional Ergonomics into a domain where people are differently abled and establishes a platform for the essential needs of future ergonomic standards which are required to inform inclusive design guidelines, or Design for All, extending the range of users. METHODS: The paper includes contributions from Asian, Australian, European and US workshop participants who are accessibility design experts in their respective geographic regions. The paper summarizes issues related to anthropometry in the Design for All, based on recent work in the US (Access board) and actual developments in various national and international accessibility standardization bodies, such as the Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand, the European Standardization Organization (EN 17210:2021; EN 17161:2019) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 21542:2021 and BS ISO 7176-5:2008). CONCLUSIONS: The paper concludes that despite the identification of a significant gap in knowledge of the anthropometry of people with disabilities as far back as 1990, work towards bridging the gap and enabling ergonomic standardization has not progressed since then globally. The lack of standardization in anthropometric data on people with a physical disability continues to complicate provision of data for mobility and accessibility design and hampers accessibility standardization efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes that people with neurological conditions can be successfully supported by smart homes only when their needs and aspirations of the technological interventions are fully understood and integrated in the design. A neurological condition can and does provide a clue to the finished technological design but this alone fails to personalise the system and stands to be rejected by the person who requires the technology. This paper explores the underlying issues of the complexity of this design process when designing for people with neurological conditions, and advances a matrix to facilitate the assessment process to maintain a person-centred design of any system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In order to plan a trip, tourists with disabilities need to gather and analyse a broad range of information concerning the features of the places and services with which they are going to interact. For these people, guidebooks may represent an important source of information for gaining prior knowledge about the various critical situations they may experience as tourists. Generally, disabled people find tourist information on dedicated communication tools; guidebooks for the disabled often provide information for wheelchair users only. OBJECTIVE:The aim of the research project was to develop a mainstream guidebook with supplementary tourist information both for people with impaired vision and for people with reduced mobility. METHODS: The communication project behind "The Florence Experience" guidebook is inspired by both the Universal Design approach and the Performance Design approach. This article describes a case study and provides suggestions for planning in similar situations. It is also part of a broader research project relating to the communication about urban spaces accessibility. RESULTS: The main outcome of the research project is a multimedia and multisensory bilingual guidebook (in Italian and English) that provides information in four separate coordinated forms: a paper-based guidebook, web pages, MP3 audio files, and portable tactile maps. CONCLUSIONS: Creating a guidebook for all is a tough challenge that requires a highly articulated vision and the cooperation of different fields of knowledge and skills. Despite the limits described in the paper, "The Florence Experience" guidebook is, in our opinion, a considerable step forward with respect to the majority of available guidebooks both because it is a unique information tool for disabled and non-disabled people and because, unlike the majority of the guidebooks for disabled people, it does not only consider the needs of wheelchair users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailoring assistive systems for guiding and monitoring an individual in daily living activities is a complex task. This paper presents ALI, an assistive system combining a formal possibilistic argumentation system and an informal model of human activity: the Cultural-Historic Activity Theory, facilitating the delivery of tailored advices to a human actor. We follow an activity-centric approach, taking into consideration the human's motives, goals and prioritized actions. ALI tracks a person in order to I) determine what activities were performed over a period of time (activity recognition tracking), and II) send personalized notifications suggesting the most suitable activities to perform (decision-making monitoring). The ALI system was evaluated in a formative pilot study related to promote social activities and physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to demonstrate the evolution of a study in the city of Juiz de Fora-MG, whose objective is the assessment of areas of train station in relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities and consequently promote the historical and cultural heritage of this city. The railway buildings are important landmarks in the history of the city and its surroundings was formed the first core of urban development. Because this building was of the early nineteenth century, these were not designed to assist people with disabilities, in effect, we observed that the buildings are being underutilized. The difficulty of insertion of incentive policies is therefore not due to the commitment by the majority, making the deployment of new access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures of accessibility typically focus on the physical environment and aspects relating to getting into and out of spaces. The transient sound environment is less well characterized in typical accessibility measures. Hearing accessibility measures can be based upon physical indices or functional assessment. The physical measures are indices that use signal-to-noise ratios to evaluate audibility while the functional assessment tool adopts universal design for hearing (UDH) principles derived from principles of universal design. The UDH principles include (1) Optimization of the hearing environment for all; (2) Optimization of interactions between persons and objects to promote better hearing in an environment; (3) Optimization of opportunities for people to have multiple choices of interactions with one another; (4) Optimization of opportunities for people to perform different activities in and across environments; (5) Optimization of opportunities for people to have safe, private, and secure use of the environment while minimizing distraction, interference, or cognitive loading; and (6) Optimization of opportunities for people to use the environment without extra steps for hearing access during preparatory, use and/or after use phases. This paper compares the two approaches using case examples from post-secondary classrooms in order to describe the potential advantages and limitations of each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The long term support of people with neurobehavioural disorders following a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can amount to a lifetime cost of several million dollars. Such costs are often obtained from personal injury compensation. However, those not eligible for such awards often depend on their families to provide support and care at no direct financial cost, but with indirect financial and human costs in terms of loss of productivity, and increased stress and health problems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to examine the role of support workers in the long-term care of those with neurobehavioural deficits following severe TBI and to discuss the feasibility of meeting some aspects of their role with technological solutions. METHODS: This critical review uses observational and cost-analysis methodologies to establish the roles and costs associated with staff supporting people with neurobehavioural disorders resulting from severe TBI. RESULTS: The role of support workers is varied and includes prompting to initiate and guide simple or complex activities, promoting social behaviour and managing emotional reactions. Some of these roles can be fulfilled by existing technology. CONCLUSIONS: Cost effective care of those with long-term neurobehavioural disorders can be provided by a combination of human support and existing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging world population requires more attention to the autonomy of individuals. The impaired physical abilities need changes in the built environment for an optimal use. Due to physical limitations, aged persons frequently become users of a wheelchair which also leads to limitations in accessing their homes. This paper describes a tool for evaluating mobility and grasping, thus allowing housing professionals to assess the needed changes in terms of accessibility. This tool, which uses the virtual reality technology, also allows users to preview the modifications before implementation and thus validate the proposals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the proposal of a model for planning a barrier free industrial facilities, considering the demands that inclusion requires, ranging from outside the factory (social environment), to the needs of the production system and the workstation. Along with literature review, the demands were identified in a shoe manufacturer that employs people with disabilities, and organized taxonomically in agreement with the structure for planning facilities. The results show that the problems are not primarily related to eliminating architectural barriers and factors aimed at preventing risks to people's health and safety but, rather, are related to the company's cultural environment, because the main hazards are managerial. In special cases, it is suggested there is a need to adjust those parts of tasks that the worker cannot do, or even to re-schedule work so as to make it possible for employees with disabilities to perform their tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with research areas and actions thanks to which the theoretical and methodological content of the 'Ergonomics in Design' project can give a concrete contribution to the 'Design for All' project, in particular with regards to the assessment and design of environments, the design of everyday products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enforcement of accessibility today has faced several difficulties, such as intervention in historic buildings that now house public services and cultural activities, such as town halls, museums and theaters and should allow access, on equal terms to all people. The paper presents the application of a method for evaluating the spatial accessibility conditions and their results. For this, we sought to support the theoretical foundation about the main issue involved and legislation. From the method used - guided walks - it was possible to identify the main barriers to accessibility in historic buildings. From the identified barriers, possible solutions are presented according to the four components of accessibility: spatial orientation, displacement, use and communication. It is hoped also that the knowledge gained in this research contributes to an improvement of accessibility legislation in relation to the listed items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to describe policies, laws and regulations regarding the procurement of assistive technology and home modifications for individuals with disabilities in Sweden. Children up to ages 17-21 are entitled to free access to assistive technology. For adults the access is substantially subsidized with public funding. We will discuss the issues and implications of new technology, with an emphasis on assistive technology for cognitive impairment. Today, the social security system is financially burdened due to increasing demands and limited economic growth. However, the basic doctrine of the "Swedish model" remains, evoking structural and ethical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible mobile phones for people with physical disabilities is an area that is still developing with new products and services emerging to assist these people to access the telecommunications equipment that is currently available. This research evaluated the effectiveness a prototype interface system for a mobile phone and accompanying speech generating device that enabled the user to independently initiate, answer, conduct and terminate voice calls and send text messages through the use of their communication device. Separate trials were conducted with two teenage participants with a physical disability who cannot speak and require a communication device to communicate. After their respective trials, both participants recorded very high overall performance and satisfaction outcomes. This paper highlights that involving the end-user in customization of the interface system during the trial had resulted in a very successful outcome. The trials demonstrated that people with severe mobility and speech impairments are able to effectively use a mobile phone in its many modes of operation. The trials affirmed that the system has given the participants a sense of independence, safety and security, and also contributed to improving their communication skills, leading to the self confidence to engage in conversation and social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the accessibility degree in companies, which was developed in a human centred perspective. For this purpose we considered physical, sensorial and cognitive deficiencies. A guide based on this methodology was created to turn the evaluation into an easy and helpful ergonomic tool. The guide was divided into accessibility "to the" workstation and accessibility "in the" workstation, both of them, considering the physical and informational accessibilities. They were divided into two accessibility levels, the minimal and the adequate levels, which meant the accessibility degree of the company. This methodology can also aid in ergonomic interventions for promoting an Inclusive Work Design and Safety for the workers, and for creating at the same time good working conditions, that will increase Human Performance. This tool was evaluated in a large company and implemented in Portugal through the INCLUDE program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Universal design (UD) is a beneficial concept for better accessible design to improve easy approachability and industry-standard products. Specifically, Indian household products require UD features in domains such as bathroom and toilet, furniture, kitchen utilities, and home appliances. Among household product design in India, a lack of understanding of the product's universality might be a constraint for product designers. Also, there are no studies assessing the UD features of Indian household products. OBJECTIVE: (1) To examine the UD feature of Indian household products against the seven principles of UD; (2) To determine the most lacking UD feature among Indian household products; and (3) To find out the Indian household categories (i.e., bathroom and toilet, furniture, kitchen utilities, and home appliances) which are most lacking in UD performance. METHOD: The UD features were evaluated using a standardized questionnaire, which contains 29 questions on UD principles and general questions (gender, education level, age and house characteristics). Using statistical packages, the data were computed for mean and frequency distribution, as well as analyzed to achieve the objectives. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for comparative analyses. RESULTS: The results indicate that the "flexibility in use" and "perceptible information" principles were lacking among the Indian household products. Also, bathroom and toilet and furniture household products were most lacking in UD performance. CONCLUSION: The findings of this research will enlighten the insights into the usefulness, usability, safety, and marketability of Indian household products. In addition, they will be helpful in promoting UD features and obtaining financial benefits from the Indian market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes a study of the accessibility conditions held in the Fortress of São José da Ponta Grossa (Florianópolis, SC, Brazil), in early 2010, where the goals were analyze the components of accessibility and identify possible solutions to the problems found there. Were used several methods, that complement one with others, to confirm the need for interventions in the fortress and helps the identification of barriers and to making recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper aims to demonstrate the situation of the buildings declared a historical landmark by the government spheres in the state of Pernambuco, and how they attend the norms of accessibility for those with special needs. The methodology of the research contemplated a sample of 46 heritage buildings, approximately 16% of the universe of properties, which are around 268. In turn, these were limited to Recife's Metropolitan Region Area - RMR comprising 30% of the 153 properties of the municipalities of: Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Igarassu, Itamaracá, Ipojuca, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Moreno, Olinda, Paulista, Recife and São Lourenço da Mata. From the specific forms set up based on the theoretical reference, as well as graphics and photographic records were assessed the aspects of both internal and external accessibility, displacement, (visual) orientation, and the use of space and equipment. In the analysis of different types was assembled a summary table ranking the samples in accessible, partially accessible and not accessible. As general results were found that from the 46 properties examined, 2 (5%) are accessible, 16 (35%) are partially accessible and 28(60%) are not accessible. Such data, although sample, shows that the majority of heritage properties does not provide access to people physically disabled or with reduced mobility signaling for professionals, managers and society institutions on the need to reduce physical barriers in such heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Standards writers, national and international, have used different contrast calculations to set requirements in building elements for people with visual impairments. On the other hand, they have typically set a single requirement (30%) for specifying the minimum contrast. The systems are not linearly related and 30% means something rather different in each system. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comparison of the various scales in order to illustrate the differences caused by multiple scales with a single compliance value, recommend a single scale for universal adoption and, if a new measure is problematic for implementation, to recommend the most perceptually uniform of the present methods. METHODS: We use the contrast between combinations of 205 paint colours to illustrate the relationships between the measures. We use an internationally accepted scale, with equal perceptual steps, as a "gold standard" to identify the most perceptually uniform measurement scale in the existing methods. RESULTS: We show that Michelson contrast is the most perceptually uniform of the existing measurement scales. We show the contrasts in the proposed method that equate to the various current requirements. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that CIE Metric Lightness could be used as the contrast measure. Alternatively, Michelson contrast is the most perceptually linear of the current measurement scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act mandate for reasonable accommodations, wheelchair users are often placed in the role of observer and note-taker when learning machining and fabrication skills due to a lack of accessibility. The focus of this case study report is to identify and develop reasonable accommodations for wheelchair users in an academic machine shop environment to address accessibility limitations of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) machines. Individual wheelchair users working and learning within the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) were observed and interviewed about their experiences using the machine shop equipment without modifications, followed by further observations after accommodations were implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Engagement in religious and spiritual activities and expression are important to many people. Praying in a mosque is a major component of basic worship for Muslims. Riyadh has a population of more than six million people and more than 17 thousand mosques. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore wheelchair accessibility of mosques in Riyadh from the perspective of wheelchair users and their caregivers. METHODS: A survey was conducted to explore the opinions of wheelchair users and their caregivers regarding wheelchair accessibility of frequently used mosques. RESULTS: Forty-eight wheelchair users and 12 caregivers participated in the study. The main reason for being confined to a wheelchair was a motor vehicle accident (77%). The majority of the participants (84%) indicated that they needed assistance to propel their wheelchairs. Overall, 86% of wheelchair users and 84% of caregivers expressed dissatisfaction with the mosques’ accessibility for wheelchair users. CONCLUSION: Mosques were found not to be accessible for wheelchair users. The current situation forces wheelchair users to pray in isolation in their houses, preventing them from participating in an important part of their faith. Though acts mandating the accessibility of public places for wheelchair users have been promulgated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the acts are not implemented in ways which can contribute to a meaningful, tolerable and independent life for wheelchair users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: People with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are underrepresented in the labour force. OBJECTIVE: To examine the meaning of employment, as it is understood in the context of participation and integration in society, among persons with SCI in six European countries. We ask how SCI relates to employment, for the functions of employment, alternatives to employment, and its obstacles. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 74 persons and qualitatively analysed using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Employment was ranked as very important independent of the participants current employment status. We identified three main functions of employment: 1) employment contributes to the creation of personal and collective identity and social recognition; 2) employment enables structuring of time and distracts from impairment and pain; 3) employment is as an important social arena that facilitates interaction with other people. Voluntary work and domestic work did not fully replace the social functions of employment, nor correspond to the design of the disability compensation systems. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the high value of employment and a need to pay more attention to a broader range of productive work. It also reveals the interdependencies between employment status and income mediated by the disability compensation schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a method of assessing a wheelchair user's capacity to have access to swinging doors. Topics discussed include some guidelines extracted from disability laws of certain governments, estimation/generation of wheelchair-user configurations, and wheelchair maneuvering clearances dimensions and handle optimal values for swinging door to push/pull.

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of aging is increasing worldwide. Various problems accompany it since aging makes the elderly undergo a decline in their natural functions. As such, senility can present itself as a barrier for everyday activities. OBJECTIVE: This article presents a research that deals with the study of collective residences for the elderly. It seeks to identify configurations of these homes by seeking shortcomings and/or successful solutions. METHODS: The Ergonomic Methodology for the Built Environment was applied. The method of the approach is qualitative and consists of multi-case study. RESULTS: Through the methodological approach, conflicts in the environment created by missing or inadequate elements were identified. Also, the opinions and suggestions from the elderly were analyzed, which shows their perception of the environment in use. CONCLUSIONS: The situations detected in this study indicate the occurrence of problems, exacerbated by the multiple deficiencies found in the user population of the environments analyzed. Thus it highlights the importance of there being future studies that are better targeted on designing environments for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently associated with symptoms that lead to mobility restriction and functional limitations, and for many this results in an altered capacity to safely and independently function within their residence. Although assistive technology devices and residential modifications can significantly ameliorate the impact of limited mobility, little is known about their use and prevalence in the US. This article presents the first national assessment of the prevalence of residential assistive devices and modifications among Americans with MS. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of, and level of need for, housing modifications and devices among Americans with MS, the typical means of payment for these adaptations, and the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with their possession. METHODS: In order to achieve a representative national survey, a sample of 5082 adults with MS was randomly selected from the membership of the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis patient registry and selected chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in states in which the NARCOMS registry had lower representation. RESULTS: A relatively small number of changes made up the majority of the modifications and devices that people used or reported needing. Five of the six most prevalent modifications involved the bathroom. Changes to promote accessibility were primarily paid for the person with MS. Generally, people who reported greater degrees of mobility limitation or disability had an increased likelihood of having made housing modifications. CONCLUSION: Continued attention to the issue of accessible housing for Americans with MS is necessary, and there remains a significant and frequently unmet need for accessibility modifications and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: India, a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), has 2.21% of people with disabilities to the total population of which 26% are employed (Census 2011 and 2001). Accessibility was introduced for the first time in 1995 under The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act. Article 9 of UNCRPD promotes barrier-free environment on an equal basis with others. Despite the legislation and the UN convention, structural barriers continue to be one of the largest barriers posing concern for PwDs at their workplace. OBJECTIVE: To identify various physicall barriers limiting accessibility of PWDs in the formal sector in Delhi.METHOD: Quantitative descriptive research design. Random sample was drawn. RESULT: Structural barriers create difficulty in accessing basic amenities such as canteens, toilets etc. CONCLUSION: Disability is a human rights issue. An employee with disability is entitled to dignified life. Effective implementation of Article 9 and 27 of UNCRPD will pave a way for removing structural barriers at workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nearly 25% of people with mobility impairments and limitations who are of working age are employed, yet few studies have examined their perspectives on their jobs or work environments required to complete job tasks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that contribute to successful employment for those who use mobility devices. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 132 workers who use power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, canes, crutches or walkers. METHOD: Participants completed an online version of the Mobility Device User Work Survey (MWS). A multivariate analysis and a two-step multiple linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Study participants had few secondary health conditions that influenced their work. Employee satisfactoriness to their employers was high. Accessibility of worksites was high. Assistive technologies were inexpensive, and personal assistance was used infrequently and usually was unpaid. Co-worker communications were very positive. Flexible work rules and supportive managers were highly valued. Job satisfaction positively correlated with accessibility, work tasks, co-worker communication and work support. CONCLUSION: The description of work environments of successfully employed mobility device users can provide some useful guidance to employers, vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors and unemployed mobility device users to balance employee abilities and preferences with the needs of employers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This article presents the results of a comprehensive national analysis of the specialized and accessible housing situation among Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study represents the first national assessment of specialized housing among Americans with MS. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the specialized housing situation for US adults with MS, and specifically, to identify the most pressing needs and most frequently identified barriers to achieving safe and accessible housing. METHODS: In order to achieve a representative national survey, a sample of 5082 adults with MS was randomly selected from the membership of the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis patient registry and selected chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in states in which the NARCOMS registry had lower representation. The sample represents approximately 1% of the estimated 400,000 Americans with MS, and includes persons with a wide range of geographic, age, racial/ethnic, income, educational, and residential characteristics. RESULTS: Residential accessibility was limited for almost 20% of the participants. A large percentage of people with MS reported that they do not have accessible bathroom/bathing facilities, an accessible kitchen, or a needed wheelchair accessible exterior entrance or ramp to their entrance. Awareness of specialized housing resources was very limited. Particularly at risk for requiring specialized housing were adults over age 50. CONCLUSION: The specialized housing needs of Americans with MS are diverse and extensive. Additional research, policy, and advocacy attention to the housing needs of this population is needed. Specialized housing should be made a larger professional focus among rehabilitation professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Individuals with different impairments are working in the formal and/or informal market despite physical and attitudinal barriers. To date, few studies have addressed this situation from the perspective of the individuals. OBJECTIVE: Apprehend factors that restrict work performance in the perspective of workers with impairments and identify the strategies employed and the difficulties faced. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with impairment who exercised paid activities. METHODS: Thirty semi-structured interviews and eleven observations of individuals in work activities. RESULTS: Limitations stemming from participants' disability and health status had an influence over their execution of tasks, but did not compromise work performance. Environmental factors that impacted as facilitators or barriers were: lack of preparation of colleagues, employers, education and rehabilitation systems; attitudes and coexistence; accessibility, implementation of land use policies, urban structures and transportation; products and technology; and distributive policies. Personal factors (upbringing, self-esteem, good mood, outgoingness, communicability, willpower, age and how the disability was acquired) also influenced participation at work. Important strategies included recognizing and sharing capabilities and needs, which minimized or eliminated difficulties at work. CONCLUSIONS: Workers with impairments developed effective strategies for dealing with adverse situations, which remained in the individual realm. Working with impairments is a complex experience that demands overcoming old paradigms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Participation in the workforce is one of the main social evaluations all individuals are subject to in modern society. Public policies supporting social justice for persons with disabilities have gained prominence in several nations in the last decades and it is critical to ensure that those who want to work are afforded the opportunity to do so. Meanwhile they remain under represented in the labor market within the contemporary world. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify facilitators or barriers faced by people with disability within the workforce. PARTICIPANTS: Ten workers with disabilities from various companies and performing diverse professional job functions participated in semi-structured interviews. METHOD: The Discourse of the Collective Subject method was employed as a means to organize and analyze qualitative data of a verbal nature. RESULTS: Reasonable work conditions, adjustments, and accommodations facilitate performance and job retention. Social participation through employment leads to social recognition and the feeling of citizenship. On the other hand prejudice, unequal opportunities, workers' low educational attainment, and lack of training opportunities lead to employment exclusion.CONCLUSION: To include people with disabilities in the workforce, it is necessary to focus on attaining equal levels of education, an unbiased and inclusive process for entering the labor market, and continued management of disability issues within the workplace. Together, these elements create equal opportunities for workers with disabilities to advance in their careers, which in turn enables participation, social recognition and guaranties their rights as citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public space is endowed with undeniable social relevance, thus becoming a defining element of integration and interaction among its users. Aware of this importance the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), linked to the Ministério da Educação e Cultura (MEC), develops the project 'UFPB para todos: eliminando barreiras'' (UFPB for all: removing barriers) that aims to conceive an architectural design of an accessible rout to UFPB's campus I, and execute a pilot stretch of this route. This article aims to subsidize the preprojectual phase by understanding the needs of this campus' users, through the concepts of ergonomics and universal design. Was performed out direct observation of the space, and the methods of interviews and observation of user behavior were applied to a group of students with disabilities, through the techniques of assisted walking, photographic and video recording. Based on those, projective guidelines have been defined, which will contribute to the final project's quality, so that this is not a simple application of the rule, but works free of segregating barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to create awareness, both within the scientific community and among providers of sports facilities, for individuals with impaired or reduced mobility, promoting the development of technical solutions that allow greater autonomy and social integration of people with disabilities. The purpose of this work is, on the one hand, to evaluate the accessibility of sports facilities for people with reduced mobility and, on the other hand, to investigate why this user group has such low rates of participation in sporting activities. Firstly, using the Portuguese norms and legislation transcribed from European Community directives, a check list was created comprising all the items that sports facilities should abide by in order to provide accessibility and safety to people with reduced mobility. Another questionnaire was designed aimed at this user group, with questions pertaining to their desire and ability to use sports facilities. This questionnaire was distributed in Portugal, in the greater metropolitan area of Porto, to users of Rehabilitation Centres and Physiotherapy Clinics. The results obtained from the check-list showed the compliances and non-compliances of the respective sports facilities, proving that many barriers preventing the participation of people with reduced mobility still exist. Twenty-four people with permanent impairment of the lower extremities (paraplegia) answered the questionnaire pertaining to the desire and ability to perform physical activity. Two individuals (8%) had sporting activities available to them in their area of residence and only five (21%) performed any physical activity. The main reason given for not taking part in any activity was the lack of adapted sports facilities. All the participants felt that taking part in sports is beneficial. The benefits stated were: general well-being and development of the psychomotor component (e.g. coordination, balance, body posture), of physical condition (e.g. strength, resistance, flexibility) and social integration and quality of life. Besides wellbeing, they also mentioned social interaction, a way of occupying their time and an escape from the routine as the main motives for which they would like to take up physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work demonstrates, through a case study, the importance of theoretical knowledge in practical application of spatial accessibility in order to guarantee equal conditions for all people in the movement and use of space. Initially there was a literature review on the accessibility of space and how design in a accessible way. Next, we show one makeover proposal in one public school that wants to provide access to people with disabilities. This makeover was done and so we could evaluate the buildings changes through the method of accompanied walk with two people. Finally we present the main results and discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropometric studies typically require a large number of individuals that are selected in a manner so that demographic characteristics that impact body size and function are proportionally representative of a user population. This sampling approach does not allow for an efficient characterization of the distribution of body sizes and functions of sub-groups within a population and the demographic characteristics of user populations can often change with time, limiting the application of the anthropometric data in design. The objective of this study is to demonstrate how demographically representative user populations can be developed from samples that are not proportionally representative in order to improve the application of anthropometric data in design. An engineering anthropometry problem of door width and clear floor space width is used to illustrate the value of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ergonomics and accessibility in banking has been the subject of numerous discussions, and in this work proposed by the partnership of companies and NR TN Mobile Work Safety and Occupational Medicine, aimed to analyze the service box and propose the development of a project to the teller accessible account of both the legal aspects regarding the factors inherent in banking, focusing primarily on the interface of the worker and the client user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sit-to-stand (STS) movement is an important part of the overall pattern of walking and affects social independence. Objective: We examined the kinematics of STS movement using two adjustable handrails. Methods: Seventy-five subjects (25 college students, 25 independent elderly people, and 25 physically challenged elderly people) participated in the study. Five types of handrail positions ('no handrails', 'both high', 'both low', 'high and low' and 'reverse high and low') were evaluated. Kinematic data were collected using a VICON analyzer and a Myosystem was used to collect the electromyographic data. Results: STS movements with high and low handrails in the elderly subjects took the shortest time and showed the largest decrease in torque (15%) compared to no handrails. The 'high and low' position also reduced the loads to the greatest extent. The average time period for STS was reduced by 15 to 30% using the high and low handrails compared to no handrail for all three groups. Conclusion: The `high and low' handrail position best facilitates STS movement in the elderly by reducing the time needed to perform STS movements and by reducing the torque and subsequent wear on the joints and muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To inform clinicians, caregivers and researchers involved with assessing and treating individuals with neurological disabilities of the benefits of universal design in enhancing quality of life. The improvement of quality of life has the potential to benefit the individuals with neurological disabilities and those whose lives overlap and intersect with those individuals. Methods: Literature and design reviews are used as a foundation for a model for incorporating and leveraging universal design to the benefit of the patient's social sphere, which includes caregivers, family members and medical staff. By matching patients varied abilities with universal design solutions, the model of universal design benefitting the patients' social sphere will be demonstrated. Recommendations: Recommendations are made for clinicians and researchers that they may use in their practices and investigations in three areas: 1) educating patients to the benefits of universal design, 2) helping inform patients how to leverage universally designed products and approaches in their lives and living spaces and 3) understanding how to incorporate universal design principles into research and clinical spaces as demonstration pieces for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the impact of the built environment in long-term care settings continues to grow. This article focuses on work conducted and published since 2000, when an earlier review on research on dementia and design was published. The vast majority of research that addressed neurological conditions in residents in long-term care settings (assisted living and nursing homes) relates to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]