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

The subject addressed in the present paper is important for the current social and educational policy regarding persons with disabilities. The development of the accessible education concept should be based on the geographical model of disability, whose main principle is to focus on the varied social needs and adjust the conditions of the geographical environment accordingly rather than to concentrate on the disability itself. The main aim of the study was to recognise the opinions of students with disabilities about studying at Polish higher education institutions (HEI). The study was based on the results of online interviews including standardised questions (open- and close-ended). The time scope of the study covers the years 2019 and 2021. The research has shown that some students hide their disability until it is visible. As a result, they do not receive adequate support and limit the achievement of goals that were the main motivation for studying. Measures taken to support students with different needs at HEIs must have a systemic nature and be addressed to the entire academic community, as well as to the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year, many cars (in Poland approximately three hundred) are adopted for disabled driver, to enable them to drive the car independently. The purpose of the paper is to assess the key factors which significantly influence the disabled driver behavior during a frontal crash and have the biggest impact on the safety factors. Methods: To achieve the purpose of the paper, the finite element method was used. The authors built the numerical model which includes operation of all safety systems operating in the real car (sensors, seat belts, airbag). Using this method, the authors simulated few different cases of the frontal crash of the car driven by a person with disabilities. Results: The obtained results were: displacements, velocities and accelerations of the head, pelvis and shoulders. Additional results were also loads in the neck. Based on the achieved results, several biomechanical parameters and criterions (HIC, Nij) were computed. Conclusions: Therefore, during car adaptation for disabled drivers using a four-point seat belts system, this parameter can be optimized to reduce forces acting on the driver chest. Higher values of the force limit reduce Nij and increase HIC and contact forces between the dummy and seatbelts. Therefore, during designing of the pyrotechnic four-point seat belts system, the pretensioner characteristics should be analyzed taking all the driver's biomechanical parameters into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this paper is to construct a tool that can be used to measure multidimensional quality of life of persons with disabilities in comparison with population without disabilities for the purpose of monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Poland. Methods: The Sen's capability approach was applied to conceptualize the quality of life in various life domains. We followed guidelines of The Quality of Life Framework developed within the European Statistical System on choosing the life domains in which the QoL should be measured. The QoL scores in each domain (covered by the UNCRPD) were constructed using multiply indicators and multiple causes model (MIMIC). All analysis were based on 2018 EU-SILC data for Poland. We constructed quality of life indicators for population with and without disabilities and compared the differences. Results: Persons without disability experienced higher QoL as compared to population with disabilities, overall and in various domains. Lower average QoL of persons with disabilities is a result of a lower share of those who experience high QoL. The biggest difference is observed for health and for productive and main activity domains. For material conditions and economic security and physical safety there was a moderate difference recorded. For the leisure and social relations domain there is almost no difference observed. Additionally, we identified diversified associations between such factors as age, gender, household situation, education, partner status, urbanization, health on the QoL across domains and analysed populations. Conclusions: A tool developed in this paper can be calibrated to enable cross-country and in time comparisons between different populations and support evidenced-based social policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Socjologii Jakościowej is the property of Redakcja Przegladu Socjologii Jakosciowej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article discusses the barriers to achieving a satisfactory sex life by patients with disabilities in Poland, and it compares the current situation with foreign literature on the subject. The most common causes of motor disabilitiy in Poland are injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (59%) and neurological diseases (38%). According to the existing studies, the main areas on which sexual rehabilitation should be focused are as follows: breaking myths, fears, and stereotypes. The results of the surveys suggest that most people with disabilities did not come across information about their sexual abilities during rehabilitation. Healthcare facilities should be adjusted to the needs of persons with disabilities, and awareness should be raised among healthcare professionals to maintain high ethical standards of services. Despite huge demand, there is still a lack of available, high-quality sources of information on the sexual and reproductive health of people with disabilities in Poland, both for medical staff and for the patients themselves. Numerous studies showed barriers to achieving a satisfactory sex life among people with disabilities: educational deficiencies both in people with disabilities and the rest of society, difficulties in accessing affordable and suitable healthcare, and infrastructural, architectural, and economic barriers, which lead to inequalities in terms of sexual health. This paper highlights problems and barriers affecting people with disabilities and emphasizes the need for changes such as improving the adjustment of health centres to the needs of people with physical disabilities, as well as the need to incur additional costs related to receiving health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Occupational accidents constitute a substantial health and economic burden for societies around the world and a variety of factors determine the frequency of accidents at work. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the economic situation and the rate of occupational accidents in Poland.Material and Methods: The analysis comprised data for 66 Polish sub-regions taken from the Central Statistical Office's Local Data Bank. The regression analysis with panel data for period 2002-2014 was applied to identify the relationships involved. Four measures of accidents were used: the rates of total occupational accidents, accidents among men and women separately as well as days of incapacity to work due to accidents at work per employee. Four alternative measures assessed the economic situation: gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, average remuneration, the unemployment rate and number of dwelling permits. The confounding variables included were: employment in hazardous conditions and the size of enterprises.Results: The results of the regression estimates show that the number of occupational accidents in Poland exhibits procyclical behavior, which means that more accidents are observed during the times of economic expansion. Stronger relationships were observed in the equations explaining men's accident rates as well as total rates. A weaker and not always statistically significant impact of economic situation was identified for women's accident rates and days of incapacity to work.Conclusions: The results have important implications for occupational health and safety actions. In the periods of higher work intensity employers should focus on appropriate training and supervision of inexperienced workers as well as on ensuring enough time for already experienced employees to recuperate. In terms of public health actions, policy makers should focus on scrutinizing working conditions, educating employers and counteracting possible discrimination of injured employees. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):151-164. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental and behavioral disorders significantly impair psychophysical functioning, leading to challenges in daily activities. The increasing recognition of the importance of mental health in global development goals has resulted in its inclusion in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The burden of mental disorders has grown worldwide due to demographic changes, with substantial economic and social impacts. Objective: This study aimed to examine the indirect costs of mental disorders in Poland by analyzing the expenditures by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) on work incapacity benefits and disability pensions from 2012 to 2023. The goal was to identify trends, dependencies, and the economic impact of policy changes. Material and Methods: Data were collected from ZUS reports on annual expenditures for work incapacity benefits and disability pensions. Advanced statistical methods, including linear regression and Pearson correlation, were employed to analyze trends and relationships. Student's t-tests assessed the statistical significance of the observed trends. Results: The expenditures on benefits for work incapacity due to mental disorders increased significantly over the past decade, particularly from 2020 to 2023, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Short-term absenteeism due to mental disorders accounted for 10.5% of the total sick leave days. A strong positive correlation was found between years and benefit expenditures. Conversely, the disability pension expenditures exhibited a downward trend, potentially reflecting improvements in public health or policy changes. Conclusions: The significant increase in expenditures on benefits related to mental disorders may reflect greater awareness, improved diagnostics, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, the decline in disability pension expenditures could suggest improved mental health or effective policy measures. However, it is important to emphasize that the presented data are not the only factor influencing this situation. Multiple variables, including societal, economic, and healthcare system changes, contribute to these trends. Therefore, further research is necessary to fully understand the underlying causes and to guide effective policy development. Regular monitoring and continued investment in mental health are essential to managing indirect costs such as absenteeism and presenteeism efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Socjologii Jakościowej is the property of Redakcja Przegladu Socjologii Jakosciowej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Traditionally, persons with intellectual disabilities in Poland have been researched on and treated as not competent enough to research with. Despite its scientific merit and practical usefulness, inclusive research involving persons with intellectual disabilities as co-researchers has only recently become a subject of interest in this country. The added value of inclusive projects should be analysed from two standpoints, i.e., those of co-researchers with disabilities and co-researchers without disabilities. In this article, we discuss the latter perspective, focusing on Polish researchers without disabilities who have experience in conducting inclusive research with persons with intellectual disabilities. The key aspect of the analyses was to highlight the potential of persons with intellectual disabilities as co-researchers. As a result, we have determined several important aspects of inclusive research in the relational perspective involving co-researchers with intellectual disabilities and co-researchers without intellectual disabilities and the community perspective. The analyses identified four superordinate themes: building relationships in the research team; opportunities and constraints associated with the implementation of inclusive projects; institutional barriers; and the importance of the role of a co-researcher without intellectual disabilities. Implications for further research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. In Poland, there do occur numerous groups of citizens experiencing tourism exclusion. Among the reasons responsible for such exclusion the following, among others, are listed: age, health condition, family and personal matters, professional issues, but most of all the reasons of economic background. In introduction the article Author tries to explain the notion of social tourism and to identity of its beneficiaries. The objective of the hereby paper is to identify preferences, in the area of tourist activities, expressed by two segments of social tourism, i.e. senior citizens (55+) and the disabled individuals. Material and methods. The main method of collecting data was survey conducted in two social tourism segments, i.e. among senior citizens (55+) and the disabled. The research was conducting in the first half of 2012. The research sample was relatively large (398 people). It has been formed spontaneously since it depended on the respondents' willingness to take part in the study. The research can be referred to as just a pilot study. The main method of analysis was the analysis of frequency distribution of the respondents answers. Result. Among the research sample most of the respondents represented senior citizens (64,8% ), and 35,2% the disabled. The both responding groups feature high tourist activity, in case of senior citizens reaching the level of 79,9% and in case of the disabled - 75%. Research shows that profiles (characteristics) of senior tourists and the disabled tourists are relatively similar. Differences concern only: the purpose of tourist trips (seniors are traveling mainly for cognitive purpose, and people with disabilities for resting), the mean of transport (senior citizens more often use the touring coach, and the disabled - private car), the annual average expenditure on tourism per person (senior tourists spend more money for tourist trips than the disabled people), and also much more seniors (43,7%) than the disabled (19,0%) making excursions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first scholarly research focusing exclusively on the history of Jews with disabilities in the Kingdom of Poland from the 1860s to 1914. It analyses sources drawn from the Jewish press in Yiddish, Polish, and Hebrew. Areas of investigation include the hierarchy of attitudes towards different categories of individuals with disabilities, spiritual perspectives on disability, and the portrayal of disabilities within Jewish literature. The study places particular emphasis on the Jewish deaf community, given the proliferation of available source material. Drawing on the broad conceptual framework of disability studies, the authors examine the phenomenon of medicalisation, tracing its influence on Jewish public discourse over the latter half of the nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disability does not concern the life of an individual, but it refers to interpersonal relationships, interactions between people with disabilities and the surrounding physical and social environment. The social inclusion of people with disabilities is possible when the barriers that hinder their everyday life are removed. Among them there are negative social attitudes and marginalization of people with disabilities which can become particularly acute. Material and methods: The aim of the research was ascertain nursing students' attitudes towards persons with physical disabilities. The research comprised 7 universities educating in the field of nursing in Poland. In total, 1323 nursing students of undergraduate and graduate studies were surveyed. The research was conducted online in the period from October 2021 to March 2022. The study used the Polish adaptation of the scale used to assess attitudes towards persons with disabilities; namely, the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons with Disabilities (MAS-PL). Results: Globally, the average score obtained by students on the MAS-PL scale was 82.69. The greatest differentiation of responses was shown in the emotions and cognitive subscale, while the smallest one was seen in the behavioural subscale. There was no significant relationship between the results of the MAS-PL scale and gender and the age of respondents. More positive attitudes were declared by graduate students than by undergraduate students. Statistically, there is a significantly higher global score on the scale and subscale of emotions shown by students living in a city with over 100,000 inhabitants compared to students living in the countryside. Conclusions: Place of residence and the level of study are factors related to the attitudes of nursing students towards people with physical disabilities. The attitudes of students majoring in nursing should be shaped during the implementation of the curriculum and the creation of projects enabling mutual relationships between students and persons with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is lack of research on the evaluation of state aid provided to food industry enterprises in Poland, within the framework of general principles of the European Union competition policy, taking into account structure of the industry. The aim of the study is to assess the scale of general public aid for dairies, taking into account the type of enterprises, their size and location. The statistical analysis is based on SUDOP data. The amount of aid granted in 2015–2021 increased as well as the number of beneficiaries of the aid. The highest value share involved subsidies for R&D projects. The share of large dairies in funds is similar to their market share. We witness a significant concentration of aid regionally and among the beneficiaries. Dairy cooperatives accounted for a greater share of the employment of disabled persons and prisoners than other entities, which may be due to their bimodal nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the article is to present the results of research concerning the reconstruction of the identity of people with disabilities who practice Race Running. In the scientific literature focused on disability, sport is presented as one of the important elements serving for the reconstruction of the identity of people with disabilities and their integration, inclusion with the surrounding social world. However, previous studies did not analyze in this context the role of Race Running, which is a niche, developing sport discipline. Therefore, this article fills a significant gap in the scientific literature dedicated to the role of sport in the reconstruction of the identity of people with disabilities by undertaking an analysis of sport, which has not been the subject of research so far. Starting from the concept of 'pendulum' developed by Karen K. Yoshida, the following article provides a model of identity reconstruction based on five processes: Socialising, Becoming independent, Exposing, Proving, Realizing. The conceptualization of this model is based on the results of qualitative research using the in-depth interview technique. The respondents were people with disabilities practicing Race Running in Poland, their family members and their coaches. The results of the research show not only the possibilities for people with disabilities, which comes with practicing Race Running, but also limitations, because the specificity and technical requirements of this sport mean that its benefits can only be used by people with a certain type of disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since World War II, sport involving people with disabilities has gradually evolved in Poland, and people with intellectual disabilities had not participated in any sporting events until the end of the 1960s. They were treated as second-class citizens having no rights that they should be entitled to. The reason behind this was the State's policy towards sport, where highperformance sport, especially Olympic sport, played a vital role that was supposed to testify to the high level of civilisation in communist Poland. People with disabilities were regarded as a shameful problem and were practically kept hidden away. They, therefore, did not participate in social life, including athletic activities. The first competition held in Poland under the name of the Special Olympics was not organised until 1969 in Poznań. On May 26, 1973, the first national sporting event for mentally retarded children (as they were referred to at the time) was called Spartakiad and was held in Warsaw. That was around that time that the sports movement in Poland began to draw on American practices, and in the 1980s it adopted the form of the Special Olympics, both in terms of organisation and sporting activities. This period was marked by active cooperation with the USA and other countries, where Polish athletes with intellectual disabilities began to compete in international competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Background: The extension of the life span has led to an increase in the number of older people and an increase in the prevalence of disability in people over 60 years of age. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ADL and IADL disability and to analyze its determinants among people aged 60 and older living in southeastern Poland.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among a randomly selected, representative population of people aged 60 and older living in southeastern Poland. Disability was assessed using the Katz Index of Independence in Basic Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Logistic regression models were used to identify the factors related to ADLs and IADLs. For the variables that were included in the above models, their clustered influence on the increase in the odds ratio for the occurrence of an ADL or IADL limitation was also examined.Results: The research results show that 35.75% of the participants reported at least one problem with IADLs. At least one problem with ADLs was reported by 17.13% of the participants. The most significant modifiable factors influencing the occurrence of disability were the presence of barriers in the participant's environment, poor relations with relatives, a lack of social contacts, multimorbidity and pain. A multiple increase in the odds ratio of disability was found with the presence of pairs of analyzed factors. The highest odds ratio of at least one ADL limitation was observed for the combination of barriers in the participant's environment with multimorbidity (OR 74.07). With regard to IADL disability, the highest odds ratio was observed for the combination of pain on the VAS scale ≥3 points with older age (OR 19.47).Conclusions: The study showed a high prevalence of ADL and IADL disability in older people living in southeastern Poland. It also indicated the extent to which modifiable factors influenced the occurrence of disability and the extent to which the risk of disability increased with the presence of pairs of factors, especially those that included environmental barriers in the participant's environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines the causes, course and consequences of the protests of people with disabilities and their carers that took place in Poland in 2014 and 2018 respectively. Said protests took a form of occupation of the Polish parliament building. This was intended to draw attention to the considerable difficulties people with disabilities face, as well as to advocate for raising social benefits. We also describe the process of people with disabilities gaining subjectivity and the role of non-governmental organisations and various experts, including but not limited to academics. Moreover, the article demonstrates circumstances to be considered with regards to disability activism. We argue that the systemic transformation that Poland underwent in 1989 and the following years pertained chiefly to matters relating to improving the country's economic situation. This led to civic matters being treated as less of a priority. Subsequently, people with disabilities became one of the marginalised groups. Their incomplete emancipation has hindered the proper application of the principles of the CRPD. The article was co-written by persons with disabilities, who draw on their experiences, and their non-disabled colleagues in academia who are actively engaged in supporting disability activism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to present the barriers existing in Poland to professional integration and reintegration of people with chronic diseases, including mental health conditions, and discuss them on the basis of expert opinions and in comparison with the situation in other European countries. Material and Methods: The research methodology was based on a mixed-methods approach, including literature review, in-depth expert interviews, and a survey (based on a structured questionnaire) performed with experts. Results: The mapping of policies, systems and services facilitating the integration and reintegration of people with chronic diseases in Poland, as well as expert opinions, made it possible to identify many barriers regarding access to support, such as an obligation to have a certificate of disability, and a system of certification by 2 institutions. There are also barriers regarding the support itself, including problems with subsidies and with professional (re)integration services. Conclusions: Poland has a multilevel and multi-sector system of public institutions, which should provide support for people with disabilities and chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the research conducted in Poland indicates an insufficient implementation of the existing solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to analyse the availability of financial resources for people with disabilities and to assess the needs satisfaction level of the disabled in order to eliminate architectural and technical barriers in Poland. The research conducted among the disabled affected by physical disability indicates that mobility barriers and obstacles remain among the most important problems encountered by people with disabilities. The research has shown that the problem of barriers increases with age. The elimination of architectural barriers requires, each time, higher financial expenditure, whereas the elimination of technical barriers improves the life quality of people with disabilities at low financial outlays. The average funding in Poland amounted to PLN 827.53 in 2016, including the funding of EUR 1453.60 for the elimination of architectural barriers and approx. EUR 582 for the removal of technical barriers. The financial resources allocated for this purpose do not cover the actual needs of the people with disabilities. The analysis revealed that the demand for investment in the elimination of barriers is increasing with age, whereas the expenditure of the Polish state is decreasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the proportion of locomotor disabilities in two elderly populations in Sweden and Poland, respectively. To estimate the perceived quality of life (QoL) in the disabled groups in samples from each country using a model developed by Carol Estwing Ferrans. Methods: The study comprised three parts: an epidemiological screening test for identification of individuals with a locomotor disability, an analysis of background data of importance and home visits with evaluations of quality of life and functional capacity. Home visits were made using the Quality of Life Index, (QLI) of Ferrans and Powers and a functional scale, the Standardized Practical Equipment (SPE). Data were collected for the period 1991-1996. Results: In the population part of the study, with 1,380 respondents (78%) comprising elderly Swedish persons, 288 reported a locomotor disability. This can be compared with 425 among 1,045 respondents (52%) in a Polish elderly group. The tests at the home visits (Sweden, n = 89; Poland, n = 84) showed that both men and women in the Swedish group reported significantly higher scores for the total QLI (max. 30.00) with men reporting 26.68 points compared to 19.73 and women reporting 21.39 points compared to 19.40 and for three of the four subscales. Also, the Polish group scored lower for balance and mobility (SPE). Conclusion: The study provides an important view of the life situation measured with the QLI tool and the SPE for elderly persons with locomotor disorders in Sweden and Poland during the mid-1990s. The results are congruent with epidemiological reports on the poor health situation in Poland, particularly during that time. A new investigation among the elderly with locomotor disorders in the two countries today might provide different results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of a survey of the attitudes and practices of paediatricians in Warsaw, Poland, with respect to the treatment of infants born with severe handicaps. The results are compared with a similar survey conducted by Australian researchers (1). In the Polish medical community surveyed, unconditional respect for life is a dominant attitude. Our study has revealed a deeply-entrenched paternalistic attitude among Polish doctors and a strong unwillingness to distinguish between 'ordinary and extraordinary means' of prolonging life, as well as an ambivalent attitude towards legal regulations binding in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]