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Introduction: The relationship between coaches and athletes with disabilities is critical for enhancing athletes' performance and psychosocial well-being. This study aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for coaches, sports organizations, and policymakers dedicated to supporting athletes with disabilities. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature was conducted. Five databases were searched, including PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A total of 22 studies were included for thematic analysis. Results: This systematic review identifies key factors influencing the coachathlete relationship in disabled sports. These factors are categorized into three main domains: professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. In the professional domain, effective coaching requires sport-specific skills and adaptive techniques tailored to the unique needs of athletes with disabilities. Coaches must understand the technical and tactical aspects of each parasport and adapt training plans to optimize performance and foster independence. The interpersonal domain emphasizes communication strategies and teambuilding practices. Effective communication involves understanding athletes' needs and adapting approaches to maximize strengths. Building rapport, managing conflict, and fostering a supportive team environment are crucial for maintaining a positive coach-athlete relationship. The intrapersonal domain highlights the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning. Coaches who engage in self-reflection and professional development better understand their behaviors and biases, enabling them to tailor coaching strategies to the specific needs of athletes with disabilities. Continuous learning is essential for remaining responsive to the evolving needs of these athletes. Discussion: This review underscores the importance of a holistic approach that integrates professional expertise, interpersonal skills, and intrapersonal awareness. By addressing these factors, it provides a foundation for developing more effective coaching strategies and supports for athletes with disabilities, ultimately enhancing their performance and well-being. Future research should explore cultural differences, the specific coaching needs of athletes with intellectual disabilities, and the impact of policies and structural barriers on the coach-athlete relationship in disabled sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The historiography on blindness in the early modern period has focused almost entirely on the condition itself, rather than the lived experiences of the blind. It is often suggested that before the modern age it is impossible to access their lives. This article challenges that assumption. The evidence, though fragmentary, is far richer than has been supposed. The article shifts the focus to the blind themselves: their emotional responses, experiences and lives, and the impact on their families. It demonstrates how the experience of blindness was shaped by factors such as age, social status, gender, occupation, and the degree of disability. The well-to-do found ways to adapt, while the poor faced a desperate struggle to survive. The blind continued to live among their neighbours, and through recovering their experiences we also gain a more nuanced picture of social attitudes across the early modern period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representation of the disabled community is often associated with negative stereotypes. This negative connotation, among others, includes the difficulty of having a perfect life, being considered a burden, not having opportunities for romantic relationships, and being dependent on others. In the Malaysian context, studies on the representation of disabilities through the media are still not extensive. The representation of these disabled is more prevalent on television programs. While in newspapers, the stereotype is maintained. At the same time, several locally produced films centered on this issue. Taking the problems mentioned as a basis, this study looks at the representation of the disabled in local films. This study uses a close reading method on 5 films which are Redha (Beautiful Pain) (2016), Pekak (2016), Guang (2018), MagiK (2023), and Abang Adik (2023). The findings reveal that while stereotypical representations persist, these films also highlight universal humanitarian issues and the talents and advantages of disabled characters. This new representation challenges existing stereotypes and offers a more nuanced view of disability. The study concludes that although there has been progress in portraying disabled characters in Malaysian films, further efforts are needed to ensure that media representations are inclusive and free from harmful stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast development of the technology of embedded systems has had a great impact on the healthcare field. Using low-cost, robust parts, this research proposes an innovative technology and design that enables paralyzed patients or elderly individuals to have a smart room with a voice recognition control unit that works like a joystick for various purposes. The aim is to create an environment that meets their needs and increases their independence, thereby improving their quality of life. The research will show the design of the control unit and present the various applications that can be programmed using voice commands, such as a wheelchair, bed, temperature, lights, TV, and alarm. The voice recognition module will be trained using the patient's voice, for example, to change the movement direction of a wheelchair. The system is based on training the Voice Recognition Module v3 with the use of Arduino and Node MCU. The results of the commendable accuracy of the English word response in a quiet environment ranged between 90% and 100% at the 0.2-meter distance and 50% and 100% at the 0.5-meter distance. While in a noisy environment, it ranged between 40% and 100% at the 0.2-meter distance and 10%– 90% at the 0.5-meter distance. As for the Arabic-pronounced words, they ranged between 60% and 100% at the 0.2-meter distance and 30% and 100% at the 0.5- meter distance in a quiet environment. And, in a noisy environment, it ranged between 30% and 100% at the 0.2-meter distance and 10% and 100% at the 0.5- meter distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the survival rates and marginal bone loss (MBL) of implants in patients with different disability types. Materials and Methods: Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed in a total of 189 implants for fixed implant prostheses in 72 patients. Data were collected on loaded implants at least 1 year in function, and the mean observation time was 37.3 months. Implant survival was examined, and MBL was observed around the implants of two groups (mental disability vs physical disability) based on age, sex, implant location (anterior vs posterior), and prosthetic connection (internal vs external). Results: Of the 189 implants, 4 failed; the total implant survival rate was 97.8% across a mean of 37.3 months. The cumulative survival rate at 85 months in a Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis was 94.3% ± 3% in patients with mental disability and 50% ± 35.4% in patients with physical disability, which was a statistically significant difference between the disability groups (P = .006). Fisher exact test showed significant differences in MBL only with age (P < .001). The implant MBL by disability type--adjusted for age and observation period--showed significant differences in multiple linear regression analyses (P = .003). Conclusion: The implant survival rates in patients with disability were in line with those reported for nondisabled patients. The MBL of the implants was within the physiologic bone loss after implant loading. Implants in patients with mental disability showed higher cumulative survival rates than in patients with physical disability, but also a higher amount of MBL. Within the limitations of this study, dental implants for patients with disability are viable. These results can establish future implant treatment plans for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a consensus among scholars, policymakers, and implementers that addressing the complex nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) requires a collaborative response. However, there is limited literature on how various professionals work collaboratively to address the needs of women with disabilities who experience IPV. This study combines the perspectives of women with disabilities and those of professionals to understand collaboration in providing IPV services to women with disabilities. Methods Twenty-nine in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 IPV service providers and 11 women with disabilities. The data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. Results The findings are presented under three themes: the first shows a consensus among different IPV service providers and disabled women on the importance of collaboration when supporting victims of IPV with disabilities; the second depicts the common ways in which collaboration occurs when supporting women with disabilities; and the third illuminates the critical elements that boost effective collaboration. Conclusion Supporting IPV victims with disabilities requires active collaboration at both an internal and external level. Strengthening collaboration among different actors requires trust, specified roles, and the allocation of adequate resources.

Background: There is a consensus among scholars, policymakers, and implementers that addressing the complex nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) requires a collaborative response. However, there is limited literature on how various professionals work collaboratively to address the needs of women with disabilities who experience IPV. This study combines the perspectives of women with disabilities and those of professionals to understand collaboration in providing IPV services to women with disabilities. Methods: Twenty-nine in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 IPV service providers and 11 women with disabilities. The data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. Results: The findings are presented under three themes: the first shows a consensus among different IPV service providers and disabled women on the importance of collaboration when supporting victims of IPV with disabilities; the second depicts the common ways in which collaboration occurs when supporting women with disabilities; and the third illuminates the critical elements that boost effective collaboration. Conclusion: Supporting IPV victims with disabilities requires active collaboration at both an internal and external level. Strengthening collaboration among different actors requires trust, specified roles, and the allocation of adequate resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This study aimed to examine the effects of sensory-motor perception and movement training on the developmental areas and emotional and behavioral problems of children with neurodevelopmental problems. The sensory-motor perception and movement training program applied in this work focused on the personal and social, fine and gross motor, receptive and expressive language, emotion, and behavior issues of 15 children aged 2 to 6 years consisting of nine children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, three children having Speech Disorder, and three children having General Development Delay. The program was applied for 18 weeks, six days a week and two hours per day, for a total of 216 hours. The Denver-II development scale and the Child Behavior Checklists (separately for ages of 2-3 and 4-6) were used to create the pretest-posttest design. Using these data, the positive impacts of training on development areas as well as emotional and behavioral issues were measured. According to the Wilcoxon signed-rank test results, children's Denver-II development scale and its sub-dimensions' scores after sensorymotor perception and movement training improved significantly (p<0.05). When the pretest and posttest averages of Child Behavior Checklist for children aged 2-3 and 4-6 were compared, internalizing, externalizing, and overall scores decreased significantly after sensory-motor perception and movement training (p<0.05). In conclusion, children with developmental problems aged 2 to 6 who received sensory-motor, perception, and movement training showed significant decrease in anxiety levels, significant reduction in aggressive and destructive behavior, and significant improvement in fine- and gross-motor abilities as well as language and social skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visually impaired individuals may encounter some negative situations in their daily lives, both legally and religiously. While laws deal with the legal aspect, Islamic law deals with the religious aspect. In order to minimize the difficulties that visually impaired people may face in their daily lives, Islamic law has made some flexible provisions based on the principle of facilitation. This work, which we are introducing, deals in detail with the information on the provisions for the visually impaired in ibādāt, muāmalāt, munāqahāt - mufārekāt, ukūbāt and some other issues by including the views of the four major madhhabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability is a situation and process that includes difficulties in rationalizing and coping with it on the part of individuals with disabilities and their families. It can be said that religion has an important place among the ways used to make sense of the situation in question and to cope with the process. This is because religion is a resource that can provide the spiritual strength needed for people to cope with the situation they are in, by giving answers to people to make sense of the situation they are in. One of the basic elements that bring this function of religion to life is religious education. The main institution that organizes informal religious education activities for people with disabilities in Turkey is the Presidency of Religious Affairs. This study aims to understand the problems and expectations of hearing- and visuallyimpaired individuals who take part in the informal religious education given to people with disabilities in the Qur'an courses in the Presidency of Religious Affairs. The research is structured with a phenomenological pattern. Interviews consisting of semi-structured questions were used to obtain the data. Thirty people, 15 of whom were hearing impaired and 15 visually impaired, participated in the interviews. The data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques. The results of the research were evaluated in four dimensions: the sources of the religious education of the participants, their coping with disability and the effect of religion, their religious education needs, and their expectations from the Qur'an courses in which they receive non-formal religious education in line with these needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Table tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by many, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities. This scoping review summarised the current test protocols for assessing table tennis technical proficiency in individuals with disabilities. Relevant articles were searched through four databases (Scopus, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) covering three key aspects: disability, table tennis, and technical proficiency. The search resulted in 14 studies included for data extraction, covering physical impairments, intellectual disability, and development coordination disorder. Almost all studies (93%) were conducted on well-trained para-table tennis athletes competing in high-level competitions. There exist protocols to assess service accuracy and stroke accuracy, hand–eye coordination, quality of specific skills and ball control, functional reach, and trunk rotation. The forehand topspin and backhand topspin drives were tested the most. Table tennis robots and video cameras are the common equipment used. Moving forward, future research should develop technical proficiency tests for players across all competency levels. The skill assessment criteria and scoring methods should be standardised and clearly explained. The validity and reliability of tests should be established. Lastly, there is great potential in using artificial intelligence to enhance the assessment of table tennis proficiency in individuals with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the principle of equality, individuals with disabilities have the right to equal job opportunities and career advancements and to actively participate in the economy like other members of society. This study aims to provide an integrated description of discriminatory occupational practices and behaviours that individuals with disabilities face. This study followed the descriptive analytical approach to achieve the objectives. A questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Design/methodology/approach: The target population for this study was male and female employees with disabilities working in the Jordanian Government sector for the years 2019–2022 in all governorates of Jordan. The sample method used was purposive-convenient random sampling, and the size of the sample valid for statistical analysis was n = 1,043. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (v26), a number of statistical tests were conducted to infer the features of the researched phenomenon. Findings: This study found an overall moderate level (mean = 2.76) of practices and behaviours of job discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the Jordanian public sector. All proposed practices and behaviours were at moderate levels of agreement, with the highest discriminatory behaviours being in the areas of training and learning opportunities (2.88), followed by job performance evaluation (2.84), work leave and vacation (2.75), integration and social participation (2.74), career advancement and promotion (2.73) and, last, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities (2.61). Furthermore, it was found that there are significant differences in the levels of discriminatory practices and behaviours towards people with physical disabilities, individuals with visual impairments and psychological disabilities, new employees at work and those with a low level of education. In addition, employees at higher administrative levels (manager, deputy/assistant manager and head of department/division) and workers in the southern and central governorates are exposed to the highest levels of discrimination. Research limitations/implications: Lack of data: There is often a lack of reliable and comprehensive data on employees with disabilities, making it difficult for researchers to accurately study and understand the experiences of this population. Stigma and discrimination: People with disabilities often face stigma and discrimination, which can make it challenging for researchers to engage with them and collect accurate information. Practical implications: Moreover, it was found that the main agencies to which cases of discriminatory practices towards individuals with disabilities working in the Jordanian public sector are reported are the direct managers/supervisors (n = 381), the ministry to which the institution/department belongs (n = 278) and the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (n = 261). Social implications: Supporting social inclusion: Employment can provide a sense of purpose, identity and social inclusion for people with disabilities, which can have a positive impact on their disabilities and overall quality of life. Improving diversity and inclusion: The inclusion of employees with disabilities can contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace, where all employees feel valued and respected. Originality/value: This study found that discriminatory practices against employees with disabilities in the Jordanian public sector were largely because of a lack of awareness of reporting mechanisms and negative attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. This study proposes solutions such as raising awareness among non-disabled employees, implementing penalties for discriminatory behaviour and updating legislation for the rights of individuals with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Management & Labor / Yönetim ve Çalışma Dergisi is the property of Yonetim ve Calisma 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.)

Literature has numerous dimensions, among which novels and short stories are worth the mention. Stories from the past have been including disabled male and female characters in their plots, but the question of how these characters have been depicted is still debatable. When it comes to writers of the disability study, it has been noticed that they have been trying to establish the present state of people with impairments with the help of their deformed or disabled characters. It has been witnessed that novels and short stories concentrate on bringing out the darker side of a disabled person by focusing on his/her issues and sufferings. The objective of this paper is to expose that literary works rarely focus on the brighter facet of a disabled character, especially a woman. It projects the differences that are endured by fictional individuals. The analysis undertakes the theory of Intersectionality to support its arguments of projecting the discrepancies in the picturisations of disabled female dramatic personas in novels and short stories. Hence, the research with the aid of select prose narratives brings out the conventional sketches of fictional impaired women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many marginalised groups there is a consistent and inflexible requirement that leadership within its representative bodies be comprised of members from the same marginalised group. This demand is often absent within the representative bodies for disabled people. This article discusses this issue and whether there can truly be 'nothing about us, without us' when so many disability leadership positions are colonised by non-disabled people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Debate Jurídico Ecuador is the property of Universidad Regional Autonoma de los Andes (UNIANDES) 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 aging of our population and the intensification of major chronic disease problems will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of disabled people, resulting in increased pressure on social care and a heavier burden on the government and families for the elderly. At the same time, the unbalanced allocation of health resources will pose even more serious challenge to the medical treatment and nursing care of the disabled population. Objective To explore the differences of disability rate, disability degree and influencing factors among middle-aged and elderly people in eastern, central and western regions of China. Methods Data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were analyzed from 2022-10-05 to 2023-01-13, and 19 170 middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 years and above were selected as the study subjects. Activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales were used to determine disability. The situation and degree of disability in middle-aged and elderly people were considered as dependent variables, and independent variables were selected from three aspects of general demographic characteristics, health evaluation and lifestyle according to CHARLS data questionnaire. Binary and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the factors affecting the disability and degree of disability of middle-aged and elderly people in eastern, central and western regions of China. Results Comparison of the rate and degree of disability among middle-aged and elderly people in eastern, central and western regions showed statistically significant differences (χ2=143.014, P

Abstract This study investigated the risk of heatwaves for people with disabilities and other socioeconomic attributes using Health Care Bigdata in South Korea. The Health Care Bigdata provides detailed information on heat-related illness (HRI) patients in 2011–2020 from seven major cities. We employed the Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model (DLNM) to measure heat waves' relative risk. Our findings are four-fold. First, the relative risk (RR) of disabled people was 5.075 (95% confidence interval 4.476–5.674), significantly surpassing that of non-disabled people, 3.296 (2.517–4.075). Second, among various personal characteristics studied, disability influenced RR the most, exceeding impacts from elderly (4.457: 3.748–5.166), low-income (3.909: 3.004–4.813), and outdoor (4.052: 2.940–5.164). Third, the disabled young group (5.305: 4.414–6.195) was more vulnerable than the non-disabled elderly group (4.287: 3.576–4.999). Lastly, no significant difference in relative risk was observed between the mild (4.413: 3.855–4.971) and severe disabled groups (4.013: 3.121–4.905).

Obtaining reasonable adjustment(s) (RAs) legally requires disabled people to disclose their impairment(s) to their employer, the provision of which can be crucial to them performing the essential duties of their job. Yet, employers report a key barrier to employing disabled people is their lack of willingness to disclose their impairment(s). This article examines the lived experiences of disabled people's employment endeavours identifying why this may be occurring. Disabled interviewees communicated that previous experiences with employers strongly influences their employment objectives, and willingness to disclose. The participants' shared ethnographic experiences of employment demonstrate that RAs can be the predominant factor in their remaining employed and that prior encounters with employers have made them aware that employers are often unwilling to approve the RAs necessary for them to seek employment, to obtain employment, to perform their duties, to fairly compete with co-workers, to preserve their health, and/or to maintain employment. Employers often claim they have few disabled employees because current employees will not disclose their impairment(s) and they face barriers to locating and hiring disabled people who want to work. Employers are often unknowledgeable about disability and don't make genuine efforts to employ disabled people. The research found that how disabled people are treated when asking an employer for reasonable adjustments impacts if they will request them in the future and influences their future employment goals. The research concludes that reasonable adjustments will remain a key barrier to disability employment if unknowledgeable employers remain those solely empowered to decide upon their provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization 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: Stress is faced by every individual in their day-to-day life activities. During pandemic, most people have experienced multiple episodes of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Several medical and dental problems are reported with stress and the fastest and easiest way to study and investigate is through body fluids, mainly saliva. Hence, we aim to study salivary α amylase in disabled individuals and hypothesize that salivary α amylase could be a reliable stress biomarker in disabled individuals. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted including 200 individuals grouped into controls (100) and disabled individuals (100). Disabled individuals were further grouped into physically (50) and mentally (50) disabled. Stimulated and unstimulated saliva was collected from all the participants and were investigated for salivary α-amylase by direct substrate method. The enzyme activity was analyzed using a spectrophotometer and the obtained were analyzed statistically. Result: Salivary α-amylase showed significant difference between controls and disabled group (p = 0.000). Salivary α-amylase was least in the mentally disabled group compared to physically disabled group. Age related comparison of salivary α-amylase was higher in physically disabled whereas gender related comparison showed females in physically disabled group to be more affected than controls. Conclusion: Saliva, the easy and most researched fluid, is rich in salivary α-amylase. Salivary α-amylase is a potential biomarker to assess stress. Further diagnostic studies are required to know the salivary changes and their influence on individual general health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background and Methods: This study evaluated characteristics of South Korean patients necessitating home-based primary care (HBPC) from 2018 to 2022, distinguishing between homebound individuals with chronic conditions and those with registered disabilities. (2) Result: Among 171 HBPC recipients, 56.1% were homebound, predominantly older with a median age of 81 years (interquartile range (IQR 68.5–86.0)), while 43.9% were disabled, generally younger with a median age of 39 years (IQR, 28–64). Activities of daily living were assessed, revealing a median score of 14 (IQR, 10–19), indicative of high care dependency. The most common conditions among homebound patients were dementia (27.1%) and physical mobility difficulties (21.9%), whereas mental disabilities (53.3%) and mobility issues (36.0%) prevailed in disabled patients. The primary HBPC needs for homebound patients included management of acute medical conditions (27.1%) and sores (17.7%). Conversely, regular health check-ups (46.7%) and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms (26.7%) were prevalent among the disabled group. (3) Conclusion: Notably, over 90% of HBPC patients required assistance with daily activities, highlighting significant differences in the needs and characteristics between older, homebound individuals with multiple comorbidities and younger, disabled patients receiving medical aid. These insights emphasize the necessity to develop customized HBPC programs to adequately cater to the diverse patient needs within South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with disabilities are marginalised in mainstream culture and they also experience increased restrictions in a variety of areas, such as sport. The barriers they encounter may adversely affect their life satisfaction, especially if they have a low perceived sense of autonomy and resilience. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between autonomy, resilience and life satisfaction in para-badminton athletes and the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between autonomy and life satisfaction. Methods: Data were collected from 137 para-badminton athletes (male: 65.0% and female: 35.0%). Self-reported measures were used to assess the participants' autonomy, resilience and life satisfaction levels. Results: A structural equation model analysis was performed; the model had sufficient fit indices (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.94, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.06, standardised root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.07). The findings showed that autonomy had a significant effect on resilience (β = 0.32, P = 0.001). Further, resilience had a significant effect on life satisfaction (β = 0.19, P = 0.011) and significantly mediated the effect of autonomy on life satisfaction (β = 021, P = 0.033). Conclusion: This study revealed that autonomy fosters resilience among athletes, in turn allowing them to achieve greater life satisfaction. Therefore, society and sport communities should actively seek ways to improve the autonomy and resilience levels of athletes with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the risk of heatwaves for people with disabilities and other socioeconomic attributes using Health Care Bigdata in South Korea. The Health Care Bigdata provides detailed information on heat-related illness (HRI) patients in 2011–2020 from seven major cities. We employed the Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model (DLNM) to measure heat waves' relative risk. Our findings are four-fold. First, the relative risk (RR) of disabled people was 5.075 (95% confidence interval 4.476–5.674), significantly surpassing that of non-disabled people, 3.296 (2.517–4.075). Second, among various personal characteristics studied, disability influenced RR the most, exceeding impacts from elderly (4.457: 3.748–5.166), low-income (3.909: 3.004–4.813), and outdoor (4.052: 2.940–5.164). Third, the disabled young group (5.305: 4.414–6.195) was more vulnerable than the non-disabled elderly group (4.287: 3.576–4.999). Lastly, no significant difference in relative risk was observed between the mild (4.413: 3.855–4.971) and severe disabled groups (4.013: 3.121–4.905). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosthetic feet are essential aids for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to stand and walk. However, current prosthetic foot designs often fall short in terms of material properties, potentially compromising safety on various surfaces. This study examines the impact of different rubber types, specifically their hardness, on the friction between prosthetic feet and flooring materials. We evaluated the static friction coefficients of five rubber types on four different floor surfaces under varying normal loads, utilizing an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model. Results demonstrate that rubber hardness and normal load significantly influence the friction coefficient. A decrease in rubber hardness increases the friction coefficient, thereby reducing slippage. Notably, a reduction in rubber hardness enhanced the friction coefficient by up to 62%, while an increase in normal load improved it by 35%. Additionally, dynamic friction coefficients were assessed through robotic locomotion experiments on different flooring surfaces using the various rubber materials. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing the safety and performance of prosthetic feet.

The motivations of disabled individuals to become entrepreneurs can be influenced by various factors. Throughout their careers and projects, entrepreneurs with disabilities may face multiple personal, social, and political obstacles. This research aims to develop a rigorous, systematic examination of the literature on the obstacles disabled people must overcome to become entrepreneurs. The literature review focused on analyzing ten articles from Web of Science and Scopus. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) is used to organize the field of research. This compilation of peer-reviewed research papers is necessary for academia and government to realize the vision of shared prosperity by 2030.

While Romania has undergone huge progress during the last 30 years, the situation of marginalized groups hasn’t progressed as well as the country’s rapid economic development. The plight of vulnerable groups such as unhoused people, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community continues to be a source of social turbulence, as they are consistently facing exclusion. Authorities do not prioritize their integration within society and there is a lack of policies to deal with these issues, leading to the appearance of extremely polarizing movements such as the 2018 referendum initiative to ban same-sex unions. This paper aims to analyze three case studies where advocacy organizations championed the cause of the above-mentioned groups, in order to increase visibility, representation, and integration, and pinpoint best practices for organizations advocating on behalf of disadvantaged groups. The three main best practices we have learned regarding advocacy projects targeting public policy for marginalized groups are: a. always put a local group at the center of the project, b. bring outside partners or mentors who can bring advocacy skills to the project, c. look for other, supplemental, positive outcomes, that usually tend to come up in the work with marginalized groups.

All human beings in the world; no matter their race, culture, origin and religion have a right to live and access different environments with ease and comfort ability. This includes disabled persons with any type from all types of disability. Hence, we need to ensure that all the buildings that we need to access in our daily lives are designed to accommodate all. One of the most significant buildings that people spend most of their time in and their comfort being most important are residential buildings. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that residential homes incorporate inclusive design principles to accommodate all individuals, particularly those with special needs. This research paper examines residential spaces’ design principles for disabled individuals in Northern Cyprus, focusing on Mağusa and Nicosia's social housing, to assess their suitability. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative analyses. Qualitatively, it includes a literature review on design principles for disabled access and an overview of residential spaces. Quantitatively, it employs a structured questionnaire with three sections: demographics, accessibility, and housing features, using a 1–5 scale (1 being Very Poor, and 5 being Very Good). Approximately 160 questionnaires were distributed, with 147 used in the study. The findings reveal challenges with sidewalk accessibility and toilet design, indicating dissatisfaction with residential designs. Social housing in Famagusta and Nicosia also falls short of universal design standards for the disabled. Despite these issues, residents are relatively satisfied with the living room and kitchen spaces. Overall, the research concludes that Northern Cyprus residential designs inadequately address the special needs of disabled individuals, particularly regarding circulation spaces and overall quality.

Abstract Background The study on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of disabled patients is rare but critical for welfare of patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fixed implants in edentulous areas on OHRQoL in Korean disabled patients. Methods The OHRQoL of 63 disabled individuals was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaires and studied by potential affecting variables such as age, sex, disability severity, and time of disability acquisition. Wilcoxon-signed rank tests were used to examine the OHIP-14 scores for those who had pre/post-fixed implants. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between factors and OHIP-14 scores before and after implants. A partial correlation analysis was also performed to determine which variables influenced OHIP-14 scores before and after treatment. The Mann-Whitney test was employed for sex and time of disability acquisition analysis (α = 0.05). Results Significant improvement was found in OHIP-14 post-implant treatment scores (P

COVID-19 disrupted all aspects of society, and student transitions to higher education were not protected from this impact. The pandemic extended health, economic, social, and educational inequalities across the UK, and we experienced considerable impact across the learning ecosystem. As we aim to support all learners into, through and beyond the university experience, it is essential to look at applicants’ intentions to study through this contextual lens, and to consider the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis alongside other key learning and life experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four narratives that follow bring together the stories from the lived experiences of a postgraduate blind maths student, her tutor, her transcriber and a learning technologist over the course of five years. It provides an insight into what is needed to help one student with their own way of learning maths. It also demonstrates how pulling at one thread can help to unravel and reveal the many lenses through which accessible maths needs to be approached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Over the past two decades, there has been a growing shift away from the Social Model of Disability (SMD) in both theory and practice. This article aims to substantiate the relevance of SMD by addressing the main arguments against it and by identifying why and for whom it is still relevant. In the introductory section, we focus on the recent production of multiple disability models in order to contextualize their emergence and elucidate the reasons behind their proliferation. In the main section of the article, we critically engage with three lines of criticism against SMD in order to explain why it remains relevant and for whom. Our main point is that, in the context of the neoliberal capitalist era, the SMD is indispensable for all disabled persons who have been denied their dignity, both in material and cultural terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of disabled patients is rare but critical for welfare of patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fixed implants in edentulous areas on OHRQoL in Korean disabled patients. Methods: The OHRQoL of 63 disabled individuals was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaires and studied by potential affecting variables such as age, sex, disability severity, and time of disability acquisition. Wilcoxon-signed rank tests were used to examine the OHIP-14 scores for those who had pre/post-fixed implants. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between factors and OHIP-14 scores before and after implants. A partial correlation analysis was also performed to determine which variables influenced OHIP-14 scores before and after treatment. The Mann-Whitney test was employed for sex and time of disability acquisition analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Significant improvement was found in OHIP-14 post-implant treatment scores (P <.001). After implant treatment, the severity of disability produced significantly different results (P =.009). Pearson's correlation coefficient between severity of disability and pre/post-implant OHIP-14 scores was 0.265 (P =.030). After controlling for severity of disability, the results showed older patients had lower OHIP-14 scores (P =.032). No differences were found for sex or time of disability acquisition (congenital vs. acquired). Conclusions: Fixed implant treatment improved OHRQoL for disabled patients, and the severity of disability was positively correlated with improvement of OHRQoL. For patients with a similar level of disability, the OHRQoL decreased with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the problems of working life in general have been discussed in many dimensions both nationally and internationally. Although it seems like a lot of progress has been made to the point reached today, it still maintains its topicality as an important area of discussion. In the shadow of the discussions about the individual's ability to continue his daily life and the need for a job worthy of human dignity, another issue that comes to the fore is the difficulties faced by the disadvantaged in the system. The definition of working life as a competitive and constantly high performance oriented field makes the process even more difficult for the disabled. In this context, this current study focused on the experiences of visually impaired individuals in their working life and tried to address their evaluations of these experiences. In the study carried out with a qualitative research design, 10 visually impaired specialists working in the field of mental health were reached. Based on the research findings, it has been seen that besides being visually impaired, the opportunities provided by their institutions, the characteristics and needs of their clients are also determinative in the shaping of the professional experience of the specialists in terms of their working environment and the ability to transfer their professional roles to practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we examined the efforts of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) involved in the expansion of transportation services to socially disadvantaged groups in Los Angeles—the disabled, low income, new immigrants, and racially minoritized groups. To better understand their efforts and the organizational and structural factors affecting their involvement, 10 NPOs were interviewed between March and July 2020. Those interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed. The qualitative data analysis revealed that partnering with disinvested communities requires a focus on language equity where information should be available in a language that members of the disadvantaged community understand. Moreover, NPOs agreed that diversity and the city size complicate transportation equity. NPOs' perception of the City of Los Angeles's role in advancing all-inclusive transportation is mixed. Even though nonprofit organizations acknowledge the City's commitment to developing robust transit systems, most are critical of the City's strategies and sense of urgency to provide a transportation system tailored to the transportation-disadvantaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system of long-term care for the disabled and elderly people has to attract investments and produce a social effect. The purpose of the study is to assess the social performance of the of long-term care system for the disabled and elderly citizens in the Stavropol Krai on the basis of the original author’s approach. Methods: description and literature analysis, analytical and statistical methods of data processing, indirect anonymous survey. The author analyzes the scientific literature to form the conceptual and categorical apparatus. The survey uses multi-stage typological sampling. The indirect survey involved 500 respondents; the expert survey – 20 experts in the field of social services and long-term care. The research shows that the system of long-term care for the disabled and elderly people is a priority at the federal and regional levels and has a high social performance. The practical significance of this study lies in the development and implementation of the original methodology for assessing the social performance of the long-term care system.

This article discusses the problem of the position of a disabled person appearing in executive criminal proceedings. Due to the wide range of topics concerning both the disability itself and the rights and obligations of people with disabilities in various aspects of life, the author focuses on issues related to the position of a disabled person in the course of executive proceedings. In particular, the considerations concern the access of a disabled person, including a convicted disabled person, to a court, understood not only as a constitutional right, but also the use and access to a building intended for the needs of the judiciary. Due to not only domestic, but also international legal regulations introducing solutions in the field of enabling and facilitating the effective participation of disabled persons in conducted proceedings, the situation of disabled persons as parties to enforcement proceedings has significantly improved in terms of securing their rights and obligations. This is manifested in particular by better access for people with disabilities to buildings, signage in buildings in Braille and in forms easier to read and understand, and finally by providing assistance from officials and employees as well as other people, including professional representatives or sign language interpreters.

Bu çalışma, günümüzde ve bütün dünyada önemli konulardan biri olan engellilik meselesini ele alan teorik bir çalışmadır. Çalışmada engellilere yönelik tutumlar ve görüşler sosyolojik açıdan incelenir. Bu bağlamda bedenin ötekileştirilmesi ve yeniden inşa edilmesi üzerine konuşulan sosyal teorisyenlerin düşünceleri ele alınmıştır. Teorik kavramlarla ilgili literatür taraması yapılarak gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma, engellilere yönelik olumsuz tutumların her zaman olduğunu öne sürmüş ve bu durumu yönetim, üretim ve tüketim konuları ile ilgili değerlendirmiştir. Engelli, bedeninde belli bozuklukların olmasıyla ve bu bozukluklar sebebiyle toplumsal hayatta arka plana itilen birey olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Engellilik, her zaman insan bedeniyle ilişkili olarak yorumlandığından beden, yönetim ve üretim gibi konularla beraber, insanlığın bütün yaşam süreci boyunca tartışılan konuya dönüşmüştür. Ayrıca tarihe baktığımızda engelli kimseler hep ötekileştirilen, dışlanan, izole edilen, ölüme terk edilen bireyler olarak görünmektedir. Günümüzde ise engelli bireyler yasal olarak toplumun diğer üyeleriyle eşit haklara sahip olsa bile, engellilere yönelik olumsuz tutumlardan dolayı günlük yaşamda zorluklar çekmektedir. “Engelliler, hiçbir şey yapamayan, başkalarına bağımlı insanlar” gibi olumsuz görüşler nedeniyle engelli bireyler topluma aktif olarak katılamamakta ve yoksullukta yaşayan dezavantajlı grup içerisinde yer almaktadır. Engellilerin bu durumda yaşamasının sebebi de hasta bedenin ötekileştirilmesidir. Makalenin amacı da engelliliği bedenin ötekileştirilmesine dair tartışılan düşünceler üzerinden açıklamaktır.

Table tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by many, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities. This scoping review summarised the current test protocols for assessing table tennis technical proficiency in individuals with disabilities. Relevant articles were searched through four databases (Scopus, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) covering three key aspects: disability, table tennis, and technical proficiency. The search resulted in 14 studies included for data extraction, covering physical impairments, intellectual disability, and development coordination disorder. Almost all studies (93%) were conducted on well-trained para-table tennis athletes competing in high-level competitions. There exist protocols to assess service accuracy and stroke accuracy, hand–eye coordination, quality of specific skills and ball control, functional reach, and trunk rotation. The forehand topspin and backhand topspin drives were tested the most. Table tennis robots and video cameras are the common equipment used. Moving forward, future research should develop technical proficiency tests for players across all competency levels. The skill assessment criteria and scoring methods should be standardised and clearly explained. The validity and reliability of tests should be established. Lastly, there is great potential in using artificial intelligence to enhance the assessment of table tennis proficiency in individuals with disabilities.

Disabled group "Argodadi Pinilih" has 40 active members. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some members to lose their jobs. Members of the disabled group began to try to cultivate oyster mushrooms in their homes and they also carried out their own maintenance. Some “baglog” cannot grow mushrooms because the environment where the mushrooms grow does not meet the requirements. The problems faced by the disabled group "Argodadi Pinilih" are low quantity and quality of oyster mushrooms, limited skills in making processed food from mushrooms and mushroom marketing is still limited. The objectives of this community empowerment activity are (a) increasing the quantity and quality of mushroom production (b) improving skills in the manufacture of processed food made from mushrooms, (c) expanding the mushroom market share. The methods used in the implementation of empowerment activities are (a) counseling on oyster mushroom cultivation and marketing strategies (b) training on processing food from oyster mushrooms, (c) facilitation house of mushroom and baglog. The results of the empowerment show that the training, mentoring and facilitation of mushroom house and “baglog” can increase the quantity and quality of oyster mushroom production, improve the skills in making processed food from mushrooms and expand the market share of oyster mushrooms. The knowledge and skills of the disabled group members about mushroom farming and processing increased as evidenced by the pre-test score of 79.23 and post-test of 86.00 with an increase 8.54%.

Introduction: Disabled people are special social groups that are more exposed to deprivation and lack of benefit from social opportunities and facilities due to physical or mental defects. The current research was conducted with the aim of sociological analysis and understanding of the lived experience of disabled people in Ahvaz city in facing family and society. Method: This research is of a qualitative type and uses data-foundation theory. The statistical population of the research is all people with disabilities over 15 years of age in Ahvaz city who visited rehabilitation centers, welfare and disabled people's association in the first quarter of 1401. The necessary qualitative data were collected using "semi-structured interviews". Findings: The results obtained from the bio-experiment of the disabled show that their understanding of the family's encounter with disability is based on kindness, psychological measures, meeting needs, pity, excessive support, imposing restrictions, feeling powerless, denying disability. Their needs have been suppressed and neglected. Also, the codes of verbal abuse, physical abuse, social exclusion, social interaction, violation and lack of law, lack of executive guarantee, lack of fun and entertainment, transportation challenges and job inequality are among the categories of their perception and understanding of the society's encounter with the disabled and It was their disability. Discussion: In short, it can be said that the interviewed disabled people did not have much confidence in society's positive attitude towards disability, and they preferred seclusion, loneliness and isolation in the face of society. Also, in relation to social interactions, they did not have much communication and they considered the lack of awareness of the people of the society about the rights of the disabled and how to deal with them as very important and effective.

Over the past two decades, there has been a growing shift away from the Social Model of Disability (SMD) in both theory and practice. This article aims to substantiate the relevance of SMD by addressing the main arguments against it and by identifying why and for whom it is still relevant. In the introductory section, we focus on the recent production of multiple disability models in order to contextualize their emergence and elucidate the reasons behind their proliferation. In the main section of the article, we critically engage with three lines of criticism against SMD in order to explain why it remains relevant and for whom. Our main point is that, in the context of the neoliberal capitalist era, the SMD is indispensable for all disabled persons who have been denied their dignity, both in material and cultural terms.