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Local Area Coordination (LAC) roles have been implemented in disability services in many countries, supporting people living with disability to connect with formal and informal support in the community. Embedded in the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, the aspiration is that this LAC role will connect people with disability to supports and enable the generation of greater community capacity and inclusion. Yet, with only a limited evidence base that demonstrates the impact of this approach, a clear measurement framework is needed to provide evidence of the realization of this aspiration. We propose that this impact could be demonstrated by applying a Community Capitals Framework (CCF) as the theoretical base for the LAC role and other community capacity initiatives, such as service navigation within disability reform of disability services. The CCF is premised on seven 'capitals'—social, natural, cultural, human, political, financial and built that intersect and interact with each other to create positive spirals of change in communities. In this critical literature review, we apply the CCF to map and synthesize existing research on the LAC's role in building community capital and examine the utility of the CCF as a map for LAC and service navigation practices to enhance community inclusion. For this review, we analyzed peer-reviewed journal papers and grey literature that focused on LAC community capacity building for people with disability in a disability service context published between 2000 and August 2023. Of the 17 publications that met the inclusion criteria, there was no published evidence that comprehensively examined or measured community capacity building consistent with the tenets of the CCF. However, our analysis showed that all capitals, with the exception of natural capital, had been considered, with some indication that investment in these capitals (particularly social capital) could be connected in the positive spiraling way suggested by the CCF. Given the paucity of existing evidence to inform the LAC aspiration for community capacity building, research informed by consumer priorities is needed to inform LAC and service navigation practices to address community needs. The CCF has the potential to develop our understanding of LAC and other community capacity-building initiatives through the measurement of LAC and service navigation services and consumer outcomes, as well as by informing investment to target growth capitals in communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article lies at the intersection of migration studies and disability studies and aims to contribute to redressing the considerable gap in knowledge regarding disabled voluntary migrants. These two areas, migration and disability, respectively, have rarely been considered together, a significant gap given the situation faced by disabled migrants and crosscutting issues confronting disabled people and migrants. Dynamics of exclusion are viewed as a shared experience of migrants, disabled people and disabled migrants. This paper is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with voluntary EU migrants to the UK, disabled British people and disabled EU migrants, which are supplemented by key informant interviews. All were conducted in 2019 in the north of England. The findings highlight that when migration and disability are considered concurrently, barriers multiply and result in a nuanced disadvantage and experiences of social marginalisation. Migrant and disability experience translates into social vulnerability and is a contributing cause of exclusion in relation to social expectations and mainstream services. This paper concludes that there is an urgent need to change the narrative and perception that migrant and disabled people are less worthy of attention and bring their needs to the fore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The representation of disabled individuals in museum spaces worldwide has sparked substantial debate in recent decades. It has become increasingly evident that disabled people's lives and experiences have been overlooked, under/misrepresented in museum narratives, or as museum professionals and academics have highlighted, 'buried in the footnotes' of history. Museums can either challenge or continue such exclusion through their actions. This marginalization of disabled people from our present museums narratives contributes to the perpetuation of prejudice and systematic biases that reinforce their exclusion in contemporary society. Nevertheless, the call for change has never been more pressing. Museums, as 'agents of social change', are required to not only address the absence of disabled people in their narratives but to combat prejudicial ideas about disability and drive societal changes to support social inclusion. This paper intends to use the recent movement of disability representation to envisage how national museums in Egypt can challenge societal prejudice by representing disability narratives from ancient Egypt in their exhibitions. The historical perspective of disability in ancient Egypt is a compelling example for illustrating social acceptance and the level of inclusion for disabled individuals in contrast to the negative stereotypes prevalent in contemporary Egyptian society. By adopting the new emergent approach of 'Representing Disability'. Egyptian museums can stimulate discussions on disability issues and advocate for social change while connecting disabled individuals with a history that acknowledges their contributions and existence. The paper employed qualitative research methods to answer the following research question: what impact do representations of disability from ancient Egypt have on the way national museums engage with societal discourses about disability? Please note the article includes images of human remains. [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]

Innovative initiatives emerge in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. They are often place-based, context-dependent, and are not easily adapted for use in other contexts. It raises the question of their transferability. This concept has been studied in the field of public health. To explore the conditions surrounding the transfer of disability interventions, this study aims to determine the advances related to the transferability of complex interventions in public health. A review was conducted. Data were analyzed according to the concepts and terms used to describe the terminology related to transferability and the processes used to manage, assess, and report transferability. Fourteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The analysis shows that different terms and concepts are used. Numerous tools or frameworks have been developed to structure the identification of transferability factors or adaptations and usually require the involvement of stakeholders. Considering context is central. Finally, we identified a lack of reporting. This review provides a structured and operational framework for various concepts, including transferability as a form of knowledge generation, and implementation/adaptation as proactive actions. It emphasizes that a holistic approach to assessing transferability involves shifting the focus from transferability factors to understanding mechanisms of change and their interactions with the context. The review highlights the pivotal role of stakeholders in generating knowledge, capturing diverse contexts, and prioritizing information. Ultimately, this work will serve as a valuable foundation for guiding methodological developments on transferability in the field of disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to critically reflect on the right to accessibility of persons with disabilities in India, with special focus on the context of public streets and environments. The paper draws on work carried out during the India-related part of the Inclusive Public Space Project, as well as judicial pronouncements, and the norms evolved by India as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this paper, we briefly set out competing conceptions of accessibility and evaluate its constitutional and statutory manifestations. Further, the measures undertaken by the government in the form of policies, guidelines and campaigns to ensure accessibility in the Indian socio-political infrastructure are also assessed. The same is followed by the analysis of significant judicial precedents of the Supreme Court and High Courts on different aspects of the right to accessibility, to demonstrate how the courts have spearheaded various structural enhancements in the accessibility regime in India. The paper is concluded by drawing attention to the need for greater synchronicity in the adjudication and implementation of the principle of accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal language: This paper discusses inclusive research and epistemic justice by using an example of a published study the authors conducted on intellectual disability and sexuality in supported living environments. Our study addressed taboos and pushed boundaries in content and methodology through two ways of inclusive research: (1) the second author of this paper who has an intellectual disability was a main researcher in the study; and (2) we interviewed people with intellectual disabilities about their own experiences as well as their desired solutions to obstacles they face in their supported living environments. Their input was centralized in the final research report. This method challenged the epistemic injustice of who have historically not been 'allowed' to produce knowledge in research. This paper offers historical insight into epistemic injustice as well as relational approaches from critical disability studies and non-Western understandings of disability that 'rethink' disability and that can thus promote epistemic justice in academic theory. By addressing both practice and theory in this paper, we aim to contribute to the growing body of inclusive research and to the epistemic justice of people with intellectual disabilities. Plain language: (1) Epistemology = thinking about knowledge, producing knowledge, sharing knowledge. (2) In history, people with intellectual disabilities have often been excluded from participating in this. This is called epistemic injustice. It is caused by the discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities (ableism). (3) Performing inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities challenges this. It contributes to epistemic justice. Researchers and interviewees with intellectual disabilities can bring knowledge from lived experience into research. (4) Knowledge from lived experience has not always been valued in traditional research. That means we also need to think differently about 'knowledge', and about 'disability' and its 'value'. (5) Discrimination based on disability has a long history. For instance: during colonialism by European countries (starting in the 15th century), false ideas about 'poor health' and 'low intelligence' were already used to justify slavery. People with disabilities have often been locked away or even killed because they have been seen as 'less valuable'. These ways of thinking still exist. They influence our understanding of 'epistemology' because they decide whose way of thinking and way of life is valuable or not valuable. We need to change this way of thinking. (6) Some academic fields that help are critical disability studies, indigenous studies, and feminist posthumanism. These fields challenge ableist ways of thinking. They can help us understand disability as something that is not negative or less valuable, but simply part of what makes us human. [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]

In Australia, many people with a disability work in Supported Employment Settings (previously known as Australian Disability Enterprises or ADEs). SESs are in a unique position to provide training and support to people with a disability as a transition step to employment in the mainstream labour market. This paper examines how one case study SES facilitates pathways to open employment for supported employees. We explore three key questions: what do these pathways look like, what role can Supported Employment Settings play in facilitating these transitions, and what are the challenges in doing so? We argue that successful pathways involve SESs and employers working together to create bespoke opportunities tailored to individuals. Through a detailed picture of the actors and relationships that are involved in setting up employment pathways, our findings demonstrate the need for both employee and employer preparation and how this can be carried out through purposeful planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital storytelling has been applied in research in varied contexts and with varied purposes. Implicit in the process of digital storytelling is the potential to develop and/or enhance a range of individual skills (e.g., multimedia, literacy, communication, etc.). However, further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact of digital storytelling on skill enhancement for disabled youth. This paper provides an overview of Phase 1 of the study "My life. My story: The Youth Digital Storytelling Project" that utilized elements of a community-based participatory action research approach to host a peer-facilitated digital storytelling workshop for young adults with developmental disabilities aimed at capturing and sharing their lived experiences with, knowledge of, and perspectives on significant life-stage transitions in the areas of education, employment, or living. The results from the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires suggest that the participants improved skills in media literacy, communication, and leadership. Additionally, the participants highlighted the importance of considering the delivery format, fostering connections, and enhancing self-confidence in the development of the workshop's design and delivery. This research adds to the extant literature demonstrating the potential of digital storytelling as a pedagogical tool, offering implications for the design and implementation of online workshops for disabled youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the design and evaluation of a set of heuristics (U + A) to assess the usability and accessibility of interactive systems in terms of cognitive diversity in an integrated way. Method: An analysis of the usability and accessibility aspects that have the greatest impact on people with cognitive disabilities is presented. A set of cognitive usability and accessibility heuristics targeted at people with cognitive disabilities is generated with the support of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Result: Several interactive systems are evaluated to validate the U + A heuristics. A quantitative classification of the evaluated systems is obtained, i.e., the "U + A-index", which reveals the most and least usable and accessible systems for people with cognitive and learning disabilities. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that it is possible to carry out a classification of heuristic criteria considering accessibility, usability, and cognitive disability. The results also show that the selection of criteria proposed by GenAI is optimal and that this technology can be used to improve usability and accessibility of interactive systems in a practical way. Yet, further evaluations are needed to support the results of the analyzed proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical shortage of special education teachers persists nationwide, challenging the realization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate of providing Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this shortage disproportionately affects teachers of color. Moreover, it extends beyond K-12 systems, impacting special education educator preparation programs, where faculties are often drawn from practicing teachers pursuing advanced degrees. This paper delineates the multifaceted implications of the shortage of special education teachers of color in both teacher education programs and K-12 systems. Emphasizing the indispensable role and specialized skill set of special educators, we offer strategies to mitigate this crisis, including improvements in preparation, recruitment, and retention efforts. Anticipating a diverse readership encompassing teacher education programs, K-12 administrators, teachers, and education policymakers, we aim to foster awareness, prompt dialog, and inspire actionable steps to address this pressing issue. [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]

Objective: COVID-19 has a lasting impact on mental health, particularly within the Hispanic/Latinx communities. This paper empirically investigates the post-COVID-19 presence and severities of depression, one of the most common mental health disorders, among adults in a predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community in South Texas composed primarily of Mexican Americans. Methods: Multiple statistic regression models were applied to data from 515 adults in Nueces County who completed all questions in a survey from convenience sampling between June 2022 and May 2023. Depression was assessed using both standard PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 measurements. Results: Of the 515 participants, 377 (64.5%) were Hispanic, and 441 (85.6%) had a high school education or higher, reflecting the county's demographics. About half of the participants (47%) reported mild/moderate to severe depression. The regression model estimation results reveal that female participants, those not in full-time employment, and individuals with disabilities were more likely to feel depressed after COVID-19. Middle-aged adults demonstrated greater resilience to depression compared to other age groups. Notably, non-Hispanic participants in the study reported higher levels of depression compared to their Hispanic counterparts. Additionally, COVID-19-related experiences, such as testing positive for the virus, being hospitalized, or having a history of depression before COVID-19, were associated with higher levels of reported depression. Conclusions: COVID-19 has significantly impacted the mental health of this predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community. These findings can assist healthcare providers and policymakers in developing targeted strategies to tailor interventions aimed at enhancing mental health well-being, reducing disparities, and fostering overall improvement within the Hispanic/Latinx community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, is the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide. The tremendous direct cost of hospital admissions and significant indirect costs from productivity loss contribute considerably to its economic burden, with vaccination being the only efficient protection against the illness. Our study aims to summarize the cost-effectiveness of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) implemented in the pediatric population. Methods: Employing the online databases PubMed, Embase, and Medline, we looked for economic evaluations from 2018 until March 2024. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICER) and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY) were the primary outcomes for measuring the cost-effectiveness of PCVs. A 28-item CHEERS 2022 checklist was applied to assess the quality of the collected studies. Results: Of the 16 papers found, 9/16 discussed the lower-valent vaccines (PCV13, PCV10) and 7/16 examined the higher-valent vaccines (PCV20, PCV15). PCV13 and PCV10 involved greater costs and generated more QALY compared to no vaccination. Both PCV15 and PCV20 averted substantial healthcare costs and yielded greater quality of life than PCV13. Additionally, PCV20 was a dominant strategy compared to PCV15. Conclusions: Utilizing PCV13 is a very cost-effective option compared to not getting vaccinated. Transitioning from PCV13 to PCV20 would result in higher QALY gain and more cost-saving than switching to PCV15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological aspect of human embodiment frequently constitutes the primary basis for personal assessment, with an emphasis on rationality, free choice, material well-being, and happiness as fundamental attributes of worth. This perspective is also evident in cultural practices of body modification, which reflect societal standards and identity expression. The promotion of standards of bodily appearance that are often considered unrealistic within contemporary culture has the effect of creating a social environment in which those who do not conform to these standards are rejected and stigmatized. This can include individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses and different bodily appearances. In the majority of cases, the so-called 'body capital' culture views the disabled body through the lens of a person's physical appearance, which is, to a certain extent, associated with a biological dysfunction or reflects a kind of physical disability or vulnerable corporeality. This paper seeks to examine perspectives on the body through the lenses of major discourses surrounding disability, biblical anthropology, and disability theology. These perspectives advocate for the intrinsic dignity and value of the disabled body, challenging contemporary norms and projections upon the body, by underscoring the biographical, interdependent, and spiritual dimensions of human embodiment. This approach stands as an alternative to the reductionist view of the body, which prioritizes physical attributes over a comprehensive understanding of complete personhood. [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]

In this paper we aim to make a valuable contribution to the surprisingly limited body of research on access to justice for disabled women who have been subjected to violence. Using an interdisciplinary sociolegal approach, this paper carries out an empirical qualitative study of one Icelandic court case and draws on this to provide a critical analysis of access to justice issues for disabled women who have been subjected to gender-based violence. Much about this case suggests that it is a positive example of justice being accessed, and we identify a number of features of the case as particularly significant in this regard. We reflect on how these positive aspects of the case can inform initiatives to enhance access to justice for disabled women and highlight ways in which Icelandic justice processes could more firmly embed the international human rights standards set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of disability on people's lives is often underestimated because the extra costs of living with a disability are not accounted for. This paper analyzes several different methodologies for estimating those costs and explores their usefulness in designing inclusive social policies. For example, one approach is to measure what is currently being spent, while another is to estimate what would need to be spent for equal participation. These can be measured using statistical techniques or through a more qualitative methodology. Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. The paper concludes with recommendations for which methodology fits which purpose, and how they can be used together to obtain a full accounting of the extra costs incurred by people with disabilities. [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]

This paper demonstrates the macro dynamics of housing and disability by comparing pressures on a broad range of issues related to housing and disability across states. Despite the growing population of adults with disabilities in the United States, research on the national-level relationship between housing and disability has been largely absent and little attention has been paid to accessibility, housing affordability, or the prevalence of involuntary movement and relocation for adults with disabilities. Using national data from the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS), we examine the multi-dimensional nature of housing, through cost burdens, upkeep, and maintenance, renting vs. ownership, and types of housing prevalent in the United States, and argue that this creates a paradox of livability vs. affordability for adults with disabilities. These state-level trends in the cost and livability of housing environments by state show that housing conditions and housing costs are inversely associated for adults with disabilities. These macro-level conditionalities are not uniform but vary by housing type and location across the country, creating specific paradoxes in each state. We assert that housing itself is one of the key mechanisms that can support or hinder the long-term well-being of persons with disabilities living in the community, through the presence or absence of both physical space and facilities in the home. Ultimately, housing conditions and affordability need to be considered primary factors in the study and support of persons with disabilities and these considerations must be tailored to state and local housing dynamics to meet persons with disabilities where they live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disabilities are severely underrepresented in the open labor market. Yet, pursuing a job has a positive impact in many aspects of life. This paper presents a possible approach to improve inclusion by including a robotic manipulator into context-aware Assistive Systems. This expands the assistance possibilities tremendously by adding gesture-based feedback and aid. The system presented is based on the intelligent control system of behavior trees, which—together with a depth camera, specifically designed policies, and a collaborative industrial robotic manipulator—can assist workers with disabilities in the workplace. A developed assistance node generates personalized action sequences. These include different robotic pointing gestures, from simple waving, to precisely indicating the target position of the workpiece during assembly tasks. This paper describes the design challenges and technical implementation of the first Context-Aware Robotic Assistive System. Moreover, an in-field user study in a Sheltered Workshop was performed to verify the concept and developed algorithms. In the assembly task under consideration, almost three times as many parts could be assembled with the developed system than with the baseline condition. In addition, the reactions and statements of the participants showed that the robot was considered and accepted as a tutor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article 30 (5a) of the UNCRPD states that participation in mainstream sport should be a right for all individuals. However, many disabled people still face barriers to participation, and provision remains segregated and/or determined, at least in part, by the nature and degree of impairment. This paper explores the Mixed Ability (MA) model as an innovative approach to facilitating disabled people's participation in, and engagement with, mainstream sport. It outlines findings from an evaluation of the Sport England-funded Mixed Ability Sport Development Programme, which saw the MA model trialed in a variety of sports. A participatory research design was employed to generate data with key stakeholder groups involved in the design and delivery of programme activities, as well as with MA participants. Analysis of the data identified three core themes: (i) defining MA sport; (ii) the impacts of MA sport; and (iii) challenges and enablers of MA sport. In discussing these, it is argued that the MA model can be a powerful approach to inclusion and help to shape meaningful change. Indeed, the data suggest that the impacts of MA activities can extend beyond the individual level and influence shifts in both sports club culture and wider perceptions around disability. The paper closes by considering the implications of the research and outlines recommendations for future practice in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principle of 'working with, not on' people with disabilities is widely espoused within inclusive research, yet historically such opportunities have not been fully realized. This paper speaks from the perspective of users of health, rehabilitation, assistive technology services, and the academics with whom they collaborate. We draw on Australia's Disability Inclusive Research Principles to reflect on the practice of inclusive research across the areas of assistive technology policy, digital information, and health access, as well as the co-design of allied health resources. We consider and provide examples of how power and knowledge play out in health and rehabilitation, the developing discourse around consumer co-design and co-production, and the challenges of enacting inclusive research. This paper is about shared power in the mechanisms of research production and our journeys towards it. Engaging in inclusive research has enabled us to assume roles beyond the binary of the 'researcher' and the 'researched'. We conclude by proposing an adaptation of the ladder of participation for inclusive research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate recognition of disabled persons' behavioral intentions is the key to reconstructing hand function. Their intentions can be understood to some extent by electromyography (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and arm movements, but they are not reliable enough to be generally accepted. In this paper, characteristics of foot contact force signals are investigated, and a method of expressing grasping intentions based on hallux (big toe) touch sense is proposed. First, force signals acquisition methods and devices are investigated and designed. By analyzing characteristics of signals in different areas of the foot, the hallux is selected. The peak number and other characteristic parameters are used to characterize signals, which can significantly express grasping intentions. Second, considering complex and fine tasks of the assistive hand, a posture control method is proposed. Based on this, many human-in-the-loop experiments are conducted using human–computer interaction methods. The results showed that people with hand disabilities could accurately express their grasping intentions through their toes, and could accurately grasp objects of different sizes, shapes, and hardness using their feet. The accuracy of the action completion for single-handed and double-handed disabled individuals was 99% and 98%, respectively. This proves that the method of using toe tactile sensation for assisting disabled individuals in hand control can help them complete daily fine motor activities. The method is easily acceptable in terms of reliability, unobtrusiveness, and aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing restrictive practices toward individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a globally recognized imperative and human rights priority. This paper presents a novel tool called LibRe for assessing and reducing restrictive practices. This tool involved an instrumental multistage design and collaboration between professionals, individuals with disabilities, family members, and experts from different fields. It addresses diverse restrictive practices in five key domains: physical or mechanical, chemical or pharmacological, structural, relational, and practices related to contexts and supports. It addresses practices that are pertinent to the Spanish context and that existing tools have not covered. Embedded as a step within an organizational approach, LibRe fosters organizational transformation and provides resources to achieve outcomes within reduction plans for restrictive practices. In total, 156 teams comprising 585 professionals, 64 people with disabilities, and 44 family members responded to the tool. In terms of evidence for internal structure validity, the oblique five-factor model exhibited an adequate fit through confirmatory factor analysis, along with satisfactory reliability indices, according to ordinal alpha and omega. Users positively appraised the tool's usefulness and identified its strengths and challenges. Although further research is needed, preliminary evidence frames LibRe as a useful resource for practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-design of research can evolve organically when the questions to be asked have their roots deep1 in the soil of partnerships based on trust, respect, and a common vision for equity and inclusion. White Questions—Black Answers, a PhD thesis research project focusing on the inclusion of Indigenous students with disability in the Australian Higher Education Sector, demonstrates this premise. Founded on Indigenous Standpoint Theory, the methodology of this research foregrounds the central role of Indigenous people with lived experience of disability—in the study design, its implementation, and in the validation of the results. This paper shares the conceptual framework and relationship hierarchy for the research, ensuring that the authority of those with lived experience was maintained and central to all research activities. It showcases a way forward for other fields of co-designed research, delivering both academic rigour and leadership by those with lived experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tactile maps designed for individuals with blindness can greatly improve their mobility, safety and access to new locations. While 3D-printed maps have already been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for delivering spatial information, they might not always be available. Alternatively, a combination of audio and haptic information can be used to efficiently encode 2D maps. In this paper, we discuss the development and user-testing of a novel audio-haptic map creator application. Maps created using this application can provide people with blindness with a tool for understanding the navigational routes and layouts of spaces before physically visiting the site. Thirteen people with blindness tested various components of the virtual map application, such as audio, haptic feedback and navigation controls. Participants' data and feedback were collected and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the virtual maps as it relates to this user group's readability and usability. The study showed that it was easy to use and that it efficiently delivered information about travel routes and landmarks that the participants could successfully understand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moving is an indispensable component of travelling. This paper discusses the experiences of persons with disabilities when moving around cities on foot or wheels, based on research conducted during the EU-funded project TRIPS. Findings comprise participants' vignettes from 49 interviews in seven European cities, views on smart assistive technologies (e.g., Augmented Reality) from a pan-European quantitative survey, and design concepts related to walking based on a co-creation workshop that actively engaged persons with various types of disabilities in ideation. Findings suggest that people need reliable and clear wayfaring information on accessible travel routes featuring the coordinated design of streets, pavement, stops, stations, and vehicles to ensure seamless, step-free, and obstacle-free access, as well as disability-sensitive management of disruptions such as maintenance works, for example. Findings also suggest that users are open to using any assistive technology that can enable them to live more independently, assuming it is accessible, and are keen to co-innovate. Finally, we make recommendations for policy changes that can facilitate the redesign of urban infrastructure to make cities more accessible for people with disabilities and drive structural changes in urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following article investigates the Metaverse and its potential to bolster digital accessibility for persons with disabilities. Through qualitative analysis, we examine responses from eleven experts in digital accessibility, Metaverse development, disability advocacy, and policy formulation. This exploration uncovers key insights into the Metaverse's current state, its inherent principles, and the challenges and opportunities it presents in terms of accessibility. The findings reveal a mixed state of inclusivity within the Metaverse, highlighting significant advancements along with notable gaps, especially in integrating assistive technologies and ensuring interoperability across different virtual environments. This study emphasizes the Metaverse's potential to revolutionize experiences for individuals with disabilities, provided that accessibility is embedded in its foundational design. Ethical and legal considerations, such as privacy, non-discrimination, and evolving legal frameworks, are identified as critical factors that shape an inclusive Metaverse. We propose a comprehensive framework that emphasizes technological adaptation and innovation, user-centric design, universal access, social and economic considerations, and global standards. This framework aims to guide future research and policy interventions to foster an inclusive digital environment in the Metaverse. This paper contributes to the emerging discourse on the Metaverse and digital accessibility, offering a nuanced understanding of its complexities and a roadmap for future exploration and development. This underscores the necessity of a multi-faceted approach that incorporates technological innovation, user-centered design, ethical considerations, legal compliance, and continuous research to create an inclusive and accessible Metaverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with sensory disabilities constitute a significant portion of society whose accessibility needs must be prioritized in the design of the built environment. Sensory disabilities cause a gap in the environmental information received, most commonly visual and/or auditory cues, that requires consideration to create equal opportunities and experiences for all. This paper evaluates the quality and representation of existing research on accessibility for people with sensory disabilities, aiming to identify gaps and inconsistencies in current studies. By considering variations in disability type, degree of impairment, and assistive aid usage, we seek to enhance the development of inclusive accessibility standards. Through this analysis, we aim to provide actionable insights for future research and contribute to the creation of more equitable built environments for all individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia has extensive laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minority people. However, violence and discrimination toward sexual minorities are still frequent. While a growing body of research shows that sexual minority people experience elevated rates of discrimination and domestic abuse globally, little research has been conducted on these issues affecting sexual minorities in Colombia specifically. Using minority stress theory as a conceptual framework, this paper aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and witnessed discrimination and the relationship of these stressors to self-reported health among a national sample of sexual minority Colombians. We found that bisexual individuals experienced higher rates of physical and sexual IPV, compared to lesbian and gay individuals. Additionally, sexual minority Colombians who experienced IPV and witnessed discrimination were more likely to report having poorer health, compared to those who had not. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and clinicians working with sexual minority clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheelchairs are widely used globally and are essential for providing autonomy and mobility to elderly and disabled people who have movement restrictions. Manual wheelchairs require operation through turning the wheels or pushing the wheelchair directly, thus posing mobility limitations for the user and caregiver. In contrast, electric wheelchairs, when used by the user, allow for improved flexibility by operating the wheelchair through a single control mechanism. However, the use of electric wheelchairs poses challenges in accessing areas with stairs and curbs, limiting the range of activity and thereby diminishing the quality of life for users and those reliant on electric wheelchairs. The electric wheelchair developed in this research incorporates a single motor for lightweight design. It uses a wheel travel variation actuator, eliminating the need for synchronization and allowing for low-power operation. This design reduces power loss from the caterpillar's idling during wheel movement and includes the implementation of a pulley system. The optimal pulley belt length was calculated, and a deceleration device was installed inside the caterpillar, enabling a design that is compact, lightweight, and capable of high deceleration. On paved roads and flat terrain, the electric wheelchair is designed for high-speed travel using two pairs of front omni wheels and drive wheels. For terrains with stairs, speed bumps, unpaved roads, and unavoidable obstacles, the wheelchair is powered by caterpillars. The electric wheelchair developed through the research presented in this paper has verified the reliability of its transmission system through gear stress and deformation analysis. Additionally, an electric wheelchair based on the proposed concept was constructed to validate the drivability, safety, operability, and convenience of its driving unit. Furthermore, a user rode the constructed electric wheelchair to confirm that there were no issues with its drivability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive education is pivotal to sustainable development in different parts of the world. This perhaps accounts for its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in SDG4, which targets inclusive education. Meanwhile, inclusive education has predominantly dimensioned physically challenged or impaired learners. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden transition to online teaching and learning, the quest for a different dimension of inclusive education, especially with regard to technology, is on the increase. This paper investigates how inclusive education is presented in scholarly published articles in the South African context. Five phases of a scoping review, namely, identification, finding/searching, choosing, extraction/charting and collation, were adapted for the review. From a search using the terms "inclusive" AND "distance" AND "education" AND "disability" AND "South Africa", a corpus of 73 scholarly published articles was identified. Using different selection criteria, such as specific context of the review, 55 articles were deleted. Thus, a final corpus of 18 articles was analysed. From the reviewed relevant literature, themes were generated after retrieved information had been coded and categorised. The review indicated that the focus on inclusive education in the South African context is directed towards physically impaired or challenged persons. The paper recommends that in the context of distance education and with the sudden transition to online teaching and learning, lack of access to technology such as computers and Wi-Fi, among others, can constitute a technological disability. Thus, inclusive education in the dimension of technological disability should be explored to enable the leadership of education systems in providing the required assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advocacy for assistive technology interventions is compatible with the capabilities approach but is insufficient for addressing the disadvantage experienced by people with disability. This paper reflects on equality as an objective of the capabilities approach arising from economics, and it summarises how assistive technology and accessibility are mechanisms for achieving equality in the contemporary legal context of international disability rights. Research and advocacy for assistive technology have failed to communicate a coherent set of actions for policy makers to adopt. Defined concepts and interventions are required to prioritise and coordinate action to support individuals with assistive technology in parallel with improving collective resources by improving accessibility. Radical change in economic paradigms and societal structures that drive poverty and disability may be required for the effective adoption of assistive technology and closure of capability gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to review academic papers on the applications of smart glasses. Among 82 surveyed papers, 57 were selected through filtering. The papers were published from January 2014 to October 2020. Four research questions were set up using the systematic review method, and conclusions were drawn focusing on the research trends by year and application fields; product and operating system; sensors depending on the application purpose; and data visualization, processing, and transfer methods. It was found that the most popular commercial smart glass products are Android-based Google products. In addition, smart glasses are most often used in the healthcare field, particularly for clinical and surgical assistance or for assisting mentally or physically disabled persons. For visual data transfer, 90% of the studies conducted used a camera sensor. Smart glasses have mainly been used to visualize data based on augmented reality, in contrast with the use of mixed reality. The results of this review indicate that research related to smart glasses is steadily increasing, and technological research into the development of smart glasses is being actively conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to assess the accessibility of flagship cultural attractions—that is, museums located in Krakow, a city with a rich historical heritage included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List and distinguished by being a recipient of the Access City Award—for people with disabilities. This research shows the degree to which these museums have been adapted to receive visitors with disabilities. Assessments were also conducted with regard to access to the museums' websites and the possibility for virtual tours of their collections. Out of a total of 50 museums, 31 were selected for this study, both leading museums in terms of attendance, such as Wawel Royal Castle, the National Museum, the Museum of Krakow, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and smaller ones such as the Aviation Museum. The research results indicate that Krakow museums are well-prepared for receiving people with physical disabilities and seniors but are less well adapted to receiving visually impaired and blind people and hearing-impaired and deaf people. Analysis of the museums' websites showed that they are well-prepared in terms of compatibility and comprehensibility but that they received worse assessment scores with regard to their perceivability and functionality. Visitors to the museums are principally adults, adolescents, and seniors. People with disabilities make up 10% of all visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disability are disproportionally affected by disasters due to layers of marginalisation from an interaction of personal, social, economic, political, and environmental factors. These intersect with gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and result in additional discrimination and social exclusion that reinforce inequality and stigma. There has been little focus on the intersection of disability and gender in disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR) in high-income countries. This paper reports on a scoping review exploring the intersection of gender and sexual identity and disability in disaster in both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Building greater awareness of the specific needs of marginalised groups such as women, gender, and sexually diverse people into DIDRR will reduce the disproportionate impacts of disaster on these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the influence of social capital in the training of persons with disabilities. The expansion of social networks is regarded as a central principle of the rehabilitation agenda and thus is a central concept that may influence the training experiences of persons with disabilities. Absent from much of social capital research is its influence on skill development and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Social capital has the potential to play an important role in the livelihoods of persons with disabilities who are at high risk of being marginalised. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and critically examine the experiences of persons with disabilities who participated in an auxiliary skill development programme, to determine whether and how it has strengthened and expanded their social capital to advance their opportunities for economic inclusion and/or employment. There is currently no convincing practice available, particularly in the South African employment landscape, around how social capital can be incorporated in the employment of persons with disabilities. An intrinsic case study approach was utilised as it allowed for the identification and description of an employability-related skill development programme for persons with disabilities. In this paper, we argue that the transfer of skills alone is not enough for persons with disabilities to gain employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printing is a technology that is increasingly used in the individualization of clothing, especially in the construction of garments for people with disabilities. The paper presents a study on the use of 3D printed knee protectors intended for wheelchair users. Due to the specific purpose of this 3D printed object, the breaking force of the polylactic acid (PLA) combined with 100% cotton and 100% polyester fabric was investigated. This paper will also describe a new method for testing the breaking force of a 3D printed polymer (PLA) combined with an incorporated fabric. Test samples were made, and the input parameters used in 3D printing were defined for testing purposes. A 3D knee protector for wheelchair users was developed based on a digitized model of the human body. The durability of the shape of the 3D printed shield was also tested after washing at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C. A clothing model that provides adequate user protection was proposed based on the conducted research. A construction solution has been proposed that enables the application of a 3D printed individualized garment element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with Intellectual Disability (ID) encounter several problems in their daily living regarding their needs, activities, interrelationships, and communication. In this paper, an interactive platform is proposed, aiming to provide personalized recommendations for information and entertainment, including creative and educational activities, tailored to the special user needs of this population. Furthermore, the proposed platform integrates capabilities for the automatic recognition of health-related emergencies, such as fever, oxygen saturation decline, and tachycardia, as well as location tracking and detection of wandering behavior based on smartwatch/smartphone sensors, while providing appropriate notifications to caregivers and automated assistance to people with ID through voice instructions and interaction with a virtual assistant. A short-scale pilot study has been carried out, where a group of end-users participated in the testing of the integrated platform, verifying its effectiveness concerning the recommended services. The experimental results indicate the potential value of the proposed system in providing routine health measurements, identifying and managing emergency cases, and supporting a creative and qualitative daily life for people with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper surveys some of the voluminous journalistic coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health responses that ensued. While investigative reporting in newspapers and news programming played an important function, we expose the terms of the underreporting about the lockdowns in institutions for the disabled and elderly that ultimately changed little about public knowledge of the lives of disabled people who were always or already confined. Second, we detail the rapid unfolding of a critical journalism that revealed the mortality-dealing conditions of institutionalization beyond the acceleration of pandemic risk levels. Such governmental and for-profit run practices of letting individuals who were disabled or elderly die while in their care were enacted, of which residents could do nothing to protect themselves (in fact, risky exposure was a conscious practice of state governments during the unfolding viral epidemic). This essay argues, however, that a critical branch of COVID-19 journalism (largely based in the US) used investigative reporting to expose governmental miscounting, undercounting, and neglecting-to-count of disability deaths due to COVID-19 and/or to collect them under "other categories," such as the overall death rate of a population. Our key findings point out that despite the importance of this coverage, no one used this opportunity to talk with institutionalized disabled and/or elderly people—who were gravely at risk. Thus, we learned little about disabled peoples' lives as they were shipped back to congregate care settings and institutions from hospitals without treatment. An opportunity to explain disability institutionalization and its inherent dangers were lost despite the media saturation of coverage that rose in the wake of COVID-19 public health policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building evacuation safety has been one of the focal points of researchers, and there is a wealth of research findings for certain places (e.g., buildings with a high population density) or for particular research subjects (e.g., the physically challenged ethnic group). However, current publications are relatively rare in analyzing the features of physically impaired individuals in crowded places and their impact on the effectiveness of the whole evacuation process, including non-disabled people. Additionally, only such studies tend to concentrate on the behavioral characteristics of disabled people, which lack exploring and comparing evacuation optimization strategies and evaluation of comprehensive evacuation performance. This paper proposed a computer simulation-based method that combined horizontally phased evacuation and vertically phased evacuation, supplemented with the use of handicapped ramps and a reasonable arrangement of class locations, to achieve the optimal evacuation performance of a teaching building with special consideration of the heterogeneous population. And then, a simulated building model was constructed to test and compare the effectiveness and applicability of these approaches through 33 evacuation scenario studies. The results found that (1) component design can improve evacuation effectiveness, with the arrangement of ramps and the location of stair doors successfully reducing evacuation time by 12% and 6.6%, respectively; (2) a combination of two ramps and separate handicap access can decrease evacuation time by 18%; (3) the horizontal-phased evacuation approach drops evacuation time by 7.1%, but the vertical-phased evacuation strategy is not very efficient. When the two are successfully combined, evacuation time is further reduced to 9.2%; and (4) based on the above measures, the evacuation time can be finally shortened by 19% if the veteran teachers are concentrated in the classrooms on the lower floors. These obtained conclusions will provide significant reference and methodological support for the safe evacuation of other similar buildings with heterogeneous populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with lower limb amputations struggle through difficulties during locomotion in their daily activities. People with transtibial amputations take support from prosthetic legs for systematic movement. During motion, they experience some mobility issues while using general prosthetic limbs regarding gait pattern. The design of a prosthetic-controlled lower limb with gait synchronization for physically disabled persons is the main goal of the present research work, which can provide an improved walking experience. The design and performance analysis of prosthetic lower limbs for people with transtibial amputations is performed in the present paper. The designed rehabilitation system shows synchronization between the normal and the prosthetic limbs achieved with gait coordination. The dynamics of the lower extremities in different postural activities are used for design purpose utilizing Euler–Lagrange motion theory. The artificial motion of the knee and the ankle joints function through the angular movement of the servo motors according to the movements of the rotary encoders placed on the sound limb joints. The range of motion of both the sound and prosthetic limbs are compared for different steps during a gait cycle. The prosthetic electronic system design of the artificial lower limb is able to show the gait style of human being with body kinesics. The nonlinear domain stability analysis of the designed prosthetic limb is presented through the Lyapunov method. A PIDF2 controller tuning process is implemented for the designed limb's performance improvement. The designed prosthetic system is beneficial for people with unilateral transtibial amputations with a great societal impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, Latin American countries have started to enact changes in their legal capacity regulations regarding persons with disabilities. However, even when these changes started over eight years ago, there were few to no analyses on the matter. In addition, there is no encompassing theory or typology on how these reforms happen and on their effects. In the present paper, we propose two axes of analysis for the reforms: enforceability and compliance with Article 12 of the CRPD. This matrix allows for four kinds of reforms: incipient, formal, conciliatory and radical. Using this matrix, we examined the legislative changes in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Incipient reforms (Mexico) are not that effective but can lead to serious later change. Formal reforms (the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua) have few to no effects. Conciliatory reforms (Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica) are a legislative compromise that allows for progressive change. Finally, radical reforms create encompassing change that is good but might create problems in the implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implications of the individual quality of life (QoL) model of Schalock and Verdugo have made it the most cited QoL model in the field of disability. The QoL model is understood as a conceptual and applied framework for action that allows the materialization of the rights of persons with disabilities through the multidimensional assessment of these persons using QoL indicators, and the development of actions guided by these values and supported by evidence. The purpose of this work is to present the foundations of this model and offer a step-by-step guide to developing standardized QoL assessment instruments and providing evidence that supports their use to implement the model in practice. This paper explores relevant topics such as: (a) the need to identify critical population groups and contexts; (b) the identification of QoL indicators for said groups and contexts; (c) the development of items focused on the assessment of personal outcomes; (d) provision to the items of validity evidence based on content and pilot measure design and (e) validation process to gather evidence that supports the uses of the instrument. Last, a framework that allows using the evidence on personal outcomes as disaggregated and aggregated data at different levels of the social system is presented, thus highlighting the role of the model as a change agent regarding individuals, organizations and schools, and public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, at least 2.41 billion people with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are in need of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation care through innovative technologies is the ideal candidate to reach all people with NCDs in need. To obtain these innovative solutions available in the public health system calls for a rigorous multidimensional evaluation that, with an articulated approach, is carried out through the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methodology. In this context, the aim of the present paper is to illustrate how the Smart&TouchID (STID) model addresses the need to incorporate patients' evaluations into a multidimensional technology assessment framework by presenting a feasibility study of model application with regard to the rehabilitation experiences of people living with NCDs. After sketching out the STID model's vision and operational process, preliminary evidence on the experiences and attitudes of patients and citizens on rehabilitation care will be described and discussed, showing how they operate, enabling the co-design of technological solutions with a multi-stakeholder approach. Implications for public health are discussed including the view on the STID model as a tool to be integrated into public health governance strategies aimed at tuning the agenda-setting of innovation in rehabilitation care through a participatory methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity contributes to both physiological and psychosocial benefits for children and adolescents with disabilities. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity is notably higher among disabled young people compared to their healthy peers. Despite this, there is a lack of constructed knowledge structure, evolutionary path, research hotspots, and frontiers in studies related to physical activity in young people with disabilities.Methods: The literature related to the research of physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities was retrieved from the core collection of the Web of Science. The annual publication numbers and the timing, frequency, and centrality of the co-occurrence network with respect to journals, countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords were analyzed. Additionally, clustering analysis and burst analysis were performed on the references and keywords. All analyses were conducted using CiteSpace. Results: A total of 1308 related articles were included. The knowledge structure of research on the physical activity of disabled children and adolescents, including annual publication numbers, influencing journals, countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords along with their respective collaborative networks, has been constructed. Furthermore, the research foundation, current hot topics, and research frontiers have been identified by analyzing references and keywords. Conclusions: Current research hotspots include interventions, therapies, and programs aimed at enhancing specific skills, as well as addressing the satisfaction of competence to improve motivation and the effectiveness of physical activity. There is also a focus on the development of scales for quantitative studies. Future directions may be toward personalized interventions or programs to enhance physical activity levels among youth with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When replacing a damaged artificial hip joint, treatment involves using antibiotic-laced bone cement as a spacer. One of the most popular materials used for spacers is PMMA; however, it has limitations in terms of mechanical and tribological properties. To overcome such limitations, the current paper proposes utilizing a natural filler, coffee husk, as a reinforcement for PMMA. The coffee husk filler was first prepared using the ball-milling technique. PMMA composites with varying weight fractions of coffee husk (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%) were prepared. The hardness was measured to estimate the mechanical properties of the produced composites, and the compression test was utilized to estimate the Young modulus and compressive yield strength. Furthermore, the tribological properties of the composites were evaluated by measuring the friction coefficient and wear by rubbing the composite samples against stainless steel and cow bone counterparts under different normal loads. The wear mechanisms were identified via scanning electron microscopy. Finally, a finite element model for the hip joint was built to investigate the load-carrying capacity of the composites under human loading conditions. The results show that incorporating coffee husk particles can enhance both the mechanical and tribological properties of the PMMA composites. The finite element results are consistent with the experimental findings, indicating the potential of the coffee husk as a promising filler material for enhancing the performance of PMMA-based biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]