A Chronometric Analysis of the Effect of Sex and Sensory Modality on the Running Performance of Visually Handicapped Individuals

The purpose of this study was to experimentally compare the effect of two sensory aids on the running performance of 40 female and 40 male visually handicapped subjects participating in a 40 yard dash. The subjects ranged in age from 6-21 and attended various schools and institutions in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. The subjects were blocked according to sex and randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions. Those assigned to treatment one utilized an audible goal locator. Those assigned to treatment two utilized a tactual guide wire. The subjects were tested individually. A timed performance score was recorded for each subject. A 2 x 2 factorial design for the variables of sex and sensory aid was used. The analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference in the scores of subjects utilizing an audible goal locator as compared to a tactual guide wire. A significant (p ≤ .001) main effect for sex was found. Visually handicapped males performed significantly faster than females. This finding supported research concerning visually impaired males and females on various physical performance tests. No significant interactive effect was noted for the variables of sex and sensory aid. Mean examination indicated that females performed slightly faster utilizing the audible goal locator while males performed slightly faster using the tactual guide wire. Suggestions were offered in an attempt to further research concerning performances of visually handicapped individuals, in various physical settings and for evaluating the effectiveness of sensory aids

Ergonomic standards for pedestrian areas for disabled people: literature review and consultations

As part of the project for the Transport and Road Research Laboratory concerned with the development of design guidance for pedestrian areas and footways to satisfy the needs of disabled and elderly people, a thorough examination of the literature was required. In addition the literature search was to be complemented by a wide-ranging series of discussions with local authorities, organisations representing the interests of elderly and disabled people, and other interested agencies. This Working Paper sets out the findings of this exercise. The objective of the literature review and the consultations was to identify the key impediments for elderly and disabled people when using pedestrian areas and footways. The current guidelines and standards relating to footways, pedestrianised areas and access to buildings were to be identified and their adequacy commented upon, as were the conflicts such recommendations raise between various groups of disabled people and with able-bodied people. The consultations were intended to provide greater insights into what the literature highlighted, and to suggest possible solutions. The literature review produced over 400 key references and a list of 35 impediments. A more detailed examination of the literature and the consultations reduced this list to six key impediments namely: parking; public transport waiting areas; movement distances; surface conditions; ramps, and information provision. The type and scale of problem created by the above impediments for various groups of disabled and elderly people are discussed, together with their measurement and assessment. The type and adequacy of existing design standards and guidance relating to these impediments are also outlined

Sri Lanka Country Profile

[From Introduction] This country study for Sri Lanka is part of the ILO project \u27Employment of People with Disabilities – the Impact of Legislation\u27 which aims to enhance the capacity of national governments in selected countries of Asia and East Africa to implement effective legislation concerning the employment of people with disabilities. Starting with a systematic examination of laws in place to promote employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities in selected countries of Asia and the Pacific (Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Japan, India, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Thailand), the project sets out to examine the operation of such legislation, identify the implementation mechanisms in place and suggest improvements Technical assistance is provided to selected national governments in implementing necessary improvements. The country study outlines the main provisions of the laws in place in Sri Lanka concerning the employment of people with disabilities. A brief review of the implementation of the legislation is also provided, insofar as this was possible, based on a survey of documentary sources, a study by an in-country consultant and feedback from Sri Lankan delegates to a Project Consultation held in Bangkok, 17 January 2003. It may be read in conjunction with the regional overview prepared for this Consultation \u27Employment of People with Disabilities– the Impact of Legislation (Asia and the Pacific). Project Consultation Report, Bangkok 17 January\u27, ILO 2003

Suggested approach for establishing a rehabilitation engineering information service for the state of California

An ever expanding body of rehabilitation engineering technology is developing in this country, but it rarely reaches the people for whom it is intended. The increasing concern of state and federal departments of rehabilitation for this technology lag was the stimulus for a series of problem-solving workshops held in California during 1977. As a result of the workshops, the recommendation emerged that the California Department of Rehabilitation take the lead in the development of a coordinated delivery system that would eventually serve the entire state and be a model for similar systems across the nation

Oral hygiene management in patients with visual sensory disabilities

Aim: Oral hygiene maintenance is one of the most difficult tasks for visually impaired people. The aim of study was to investigate about knowledge on oral hygiene practices among patients with visual sensory disabilities by proposing an effective management in order to achieve and maintain oral health status of these patients. Methods:It was administered a questionnaire about oral health management to the patients with visual disabilities accessing to dental unit of “Mons. Di Liegro” Hospital of Gaeta. Results: The survey covered a sample of 49 patients, aged between 14 and 95 years. More than half (66%) was blind ( 65% of cases with primary blindness and the remain ing 35% with secondary blindness). Only 32.65% brushed their teeth 3 times a day; 68% of the surveyed patients limited home oral hygiene procedures to toothbrush and toothpaste; 79% used manual toothbrush; 49% of respondents report ed odontophobia (it was basically generated by pain) often due to bad experience during childhood. More than half declared a dental office attendance as needed. Conclusions: This study showed as, although starting from a compromised oral health and inadequate knowledge of oral hygiene practices, visual impaired/ blind patients were able to achieve and maintain a good level of oral hygiene, using the most appropriate techniques and instrument

Analysis of low vision.

INTRODUCTION: Health care roles of the ophthalmologist and optometrist have been enlarged because of changing attitudes towards blind and visually impaired persons. There are about 45 million visually handicapped people in India. At least 30 millions of them are not totally blind, but partially sighted. Their conditions are neither curable medically nor correctable optically by conventional spectacles, contact lenses, etc. These people find it difficult to carry out their routine work. Low vision aids are useful to a significant number of these people. In low vision care, no single profession can provide all aspects of treatment. The ophthalmologist, the optometrist, the rehabilitation and orientations and mobility instructor, the counselor and the educator all add parts to the whole form which the patient must select what is most helpful. The number of people who are using low vision aids in this country is quite negligible, perhaps for want of technical know-how, availability of visual aids. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze 50 cases of low vision patients attending a tertiary government hospital and their acceptance of low visual aids. To identify the common ocular conditions leading to low vision and to know the visual aids which the patient accept. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective analysis done in Regional Institute of Ophthalmology during the period of January 2005 to December 2005. Fifty patients with low vision who attended the low vision clinic were examined for low visual aids acceptance and improvement of acuity, fields or ability to carry out their daily activities. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were studied for low vision analysis. Males comprised of 72% (36) and female 28% (14). The age distribution showed that maximum number of patient were in the 51-60 years age group 22% (11), 4% (2) were below 10 years and 8% (4) above 60 years. Patients in 10- 20 age groups and 40-50 age groups comprised 20% each. DISCUSSION: The study showed that most of patients who came to low vision service were provided with low visual aids which indicates the effectiveness of low vision aids in visual rehabilitation of visually handicapped. CONCLUSION: The study shows that Low visual aids can be prescribed in various ocular diseases, occupation, and age groups according to the patients need. This study shows the need to establish low vision clinics in government hospitals. This also helps to gather necessary information regarding low vision services

Ergonomic Standards for Pedestrian Areas for Disabled People: Methodology and Sample Identification

This project is a TRRL research contract, the aim of which is to produce guidance on the design of pedestrian areas and footways for elderly and disabled people. The first part of the project was a literature review and consultation exercise, the objective of which was to identify key impediments for investigation. The second part of the project involved the detailed survey work on the key impediments. This Working Paper reports upon the development of the second part of the project and, in particular, upon the identification of the sample of disabled people to be used in the detailed interview and observation work. The sample identification involved contacting some 3000 disabled people listed in official disability registers, and 250 ablebodied people via on-street interviews. From the disabled sample approximately 500 people were interviewed in order to find out more about their disability and to assess the usefulness of a preliminary disability categorisation system; their activity rate; problems they experience in using pedestrian areas and footways; and their willingness to take part in further stages of the study. From the interviews, a sample of people in each of the revised categories, together with samples of the elderly and the ablebodied, were selected for an observation phase in which those involved were observed completing a movement distance exercise, and using different types of pedestrian facility, in central Leeds

A Selected Bibliography of Topics on Employment Practices

Cornell University is currently funded by the U.S. Department of Education National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research for a four-year Research and Demonstration entitled Improving Employment Practices Covered by Title I of the ADA (Grant # H133A70005). As a part of these efforts, we have done an extensive literature review on topics related to employer practices and the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This bibliography is the result of these eighteen months of efforts. This publication is available as a print product, and is accessible online at http://www.ilr.cornell.edu. We hope that these resources will be of assistance in helping human resource professionals, employers, providers of vocational rehabilitation services, advocacy organizations, and persons with disabilities and their family members to better employ the ADA in effectively implementing the accommodation process

Economic Standards for Pedestrian Areas for Disabled People: Results of the Initial and Main Interview

1.1.1 The Institute for Transport Studies was invited by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory to submit a research proposal, with costs, aimed at establishing suitable llErgonomic Standards for Pedestrian Areas for Disabled People". The project commenced on 1st July, 1986 and was split into two parts, with part one involving four monthso work over the period to 31st December, 1986 and part two finishing on 30th April, 1988. 1.1.2 The main objectives of the Study laid down in the design brief by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory were: a) To produce a guide to good practice for the design and maintenance of footways and pedestrianised areas; b) To provide, where possible, recommended standards for design and maintenance. The good practice guide and the recommended standards were to be primarily aimed at disabled people and the elderly, but the requirements of the able-bodied were also to be considered, as were conflicts between the needs of different groups of user. The economic implications of implementation and maintenance were also to be detailed

Ergonomic Standards for Disabled People in Pedestrian Areas : Results from Leeds Observation Work 1988/89

This working paper is one of a series (WP 252, 253, 254, 255, 274, 275), describing work undertaken under contract to TRRL investigating design guidance for pedestrian areas and footways to satisfy the needs of disabled and elderly people. This working paper reports on fieldwork conducted with disabled people in Leeds to investigate movement distances; assessments of surface conditions including gaps, undulation, gradients, camber and friction; and assessments of bus shelter seating