Are We There Yet? An Examination of the Effectiveness of Individual Support Plans in Promoting the Human Rights and Quality of Life for Persons with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Individual Support Plans (ISP) play a significant role in ensuring that the value-based disability-related goals of international and provincial legislation are brought to fruition—mainly with a focus on promoting Human Rights and improving quality of life (QOL) outcomes. The ISP is a living document that, through person-centered planning practices, guides the day-to-day supports provided to persons labelled with an intellectual and/or development disability (PLWIDD). Literature has demonstrated that ISPs are most effective when there is an alignment between an individual’s identified needs and wants, clearly defined goals with matched support strategies, and measurement tools to monitor and evaluate individual and team progress towards goal attainment. Further, ISPs are more likely to demonstrate improved QOL outcomes when the goals capture and promote the following QOL domains: self-determination, personal development, interpersonal relationships, social inclusion, rights, and physical, emotional, and material well-being. This project aimed to promote improved QOL outcomes for PLWIDD supported by Community Living Haldimand, through a collaborative examination of their current ISP framework and processes. The goal of this project was to provide recommendations for a new ISP framework that was shaped by current research on effective and efficient ISPs, and authentically founded in the expressed concerns and recommendations of those who are responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the effectiveness of the ISP. A document analysis of 9 completed ISPs identified the alignment across the components of an effective ISP and the number and types of QOL domains that were or were not present. A Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and focus group participation from Coordinators and Supervisors assisted in capturing the culturally sensitive language surrounding QOL and the ISP process. Recommendations for the new ISP framework included the use of culturally sensitive language and recommendations from Coordinators and Supervisors, including staff support and training in identified areas of concern such as, how to identify needs and wants of persons they support and how to define ISP goals. The methods used in this study may assist other organizations in the evaluation and improvement of their ISP process

Seeing the wood for the trees. Carer related research and knowledge: A scoping review

This NIHR-SSCR funded scoping review provides a comprehensive mapping of what is known about carers and caring, and aims to help inform policy, practice and research in relation to carers. The review was undertaken by searching 10 electronic bibliographic databases, supplemented by additional web searches to identify academic research, grey literature and wider knowledge. The analysis adopts a selective thematic approach covering: carer variables - the characteristics of different types of carer and different caring situations; types of care - the nature of needs of the cared for person and the features of the care situation; the impact of caring – resilience and coping, employment and health; and carer support and needs assessment. The final section highlights key messages identified from the review. It found that caring involves all sections and age groups of the population, with people are likely to experience one or more periods of caregiving over their lifetime. The uniqueness of each caring relationship is also highlighted. In relation to types of carers, knowledge about ‘hard to reach’ groups, such as BAME and LGBT carers, remains sparse. Older carers are also relatively invisible in policy and research terms. It found that much of the knowledge about carers identified in the review relates to their characteristics, their lived experience and the nature of their caregiving, with relatively less being known about the effectiveness of interventions to support them. The report concludes by offering suggestions for policy and practice. An appendix provides a bibliography of the 3,434 items identified in review, classified into 17 types of reference

Virtual Reality Games for Motor Rehabilitation

This paper presents a fuzzy logic based method to track user satisfaction without the need for devices to monitor users physiological conditions. User satisfaction is the key to any product’s acceptance; computer applications and video games provide a unique opportunity to provide a tailored environment for each user to better suit their needs. We have implemented a non-adaptive fuzzy logic model of emotion, based on the emotional component of the Fuzzy Logic Adaptive Model of Emotion (FLAME) proposed by El-Nasr, to estimate player emotion in UnrealTournament 2004. In this paper we describe the implementation of this system and present the results of one of several play tests. Our research contradicts the current literature that suggests physiological measurements are needed. We show that it is possible to use a software only method to estimate user emotion

Impact of Alternative Financing Programs on Quality of Life and Employment Outcomes of Individuals with Disabilities

Abstract IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES By: Amy Nicole Dye Davis This study investigated the effect of assistive technologies purchased through Alternative Financing Programs (AFP) for individuals with disabilities on quality of life, independence in the home and community, and employment. In fiscal year 2000, AFPs received federal grants under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (after it was repealed and renamed the AT Act) to provide financial loans to persons with disabilities to enable them to purchase assistive technologies (AT). In fiscal year 2002, Congress appropriated funds to support grants to increase access to telework for individuals with disabilities. There are 33 AFPs located across the U.S. and territories that use said funding to provide alternative financing for persons with disabilities so that the aforementioned opportunities are possible. This study also examined telework, defined as a way to reduce or eliminate barriers to employment or self-employment. Telework, irrespective of the circumstance or initial motivation, has the potential to circumvent the need to navigate the traditional workplace. As a result, telework could raise the standards for equality in the job market for persons with disabilities. An examination of AFP clients delineated loan acceptance and rejection rates, goals for acquiring assistive technologies, and employment outcomes for said individuals with disabilities. Determining the reasons why AFP clients needed assistive technology and how they planned to use it defined predictors to successful employment outcomes. Finally, the overall effectiveness of the AFPs with respect to increasing quality of life, independence, and employment rates for persons with disabilities was assessed. Examining employment outcomes as they are linked to public policy is puissant and a connection not previously pursued. This study found statistically significant associations between quality of life and employment in that persons with disabilities who were AFP applicants reported a higher quality of life if they were employed. Also found, was a statistically significant association between quality of life and independence levels in that persons with disabilities who reported increased independence at home or in the community also reported having a better quality of life

The effects of one-to-one computing for students with disabilities in an inclusive language arts class

Technology has become increasingly prominent in schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the integration of technology with students with disabilities, particularly the use of one-to-one computing when used in inclusive classrooms. This study took a qualitative approach exploring how one teacher integrated one-to-one computing into her curriculum and how students with disabilities perceived that integration. The nine week study took place in a rural, Midwest, eighth grade inclusive language arts classroom. The general education language arts teacher and two students who received special education services were participants in the study. Data were collected from teacher interviews, student interviews, transcripts of classroom activities, observational field notes, and document analysis. The data analysis resulted in 11 themes in response to the three research questions. The results suggested that this teacher used a variety of resources while integrating one-to-one laptops to engage her students. The students specifically described the teacher as a role model on how to use new technological applications for academic purposes such as completing and submitting assignments electronically. The findings from teacher and student data revealed perceived learning benefits and barriers of using one-to-one computing. One significant benefit of one-to-one computing was how it assisted the teacher\u27s integration of 21st century skills in the curriculum. This integration of one-to-one laptops leveled the playing field for students with disabilities by increasing access, promoting social benefits, and practicing the content at their level. Students in this study experienced learning benefits as their student responsibilities changed. Despite some barriers to one-to-one implementation, students\u27 preference would be to continue to learn with one-to-one laptops rather than going back to traditional methods of receiving instruction. Several recommendations to increase the integration of technology were suggested. Recommendations included structured professional development such as technology training, differentiated instruction, and constructivist teaching, additional time for peer collaboration, becoming familiar with students\u27 IEPs, and sharing district goals for one-to-one computing. Suggestions for future research consisted of comparing first to third year one-to-one implementation for students with disabilities, differences in technology integration between novice and experienced teachers, and the effects of gaming for students with disabilities

Cenários comunicacionais baseados em IOT para a promoção do bem-estar físico, psicológico e social dos séniores

The main objective of this research is to design and validate IoT based social hybrid scenario model that has the potential to promote psychological and physical wellbeing among older adults. The main reason to design and validate the model is age growth, older adults face psychological, physical and social well-being problems that increase mild cognitive impairment and frailty among older adults. Thus, to overcome older adults' problems, the study proposes and validates an IoT-based social hybrid scenario model. The model's features contain passive communication in which Drs, caregivers, and family members can monitor older adults' physical data from long distances. The model's features also contained intentional communication in which Older adults can interact online by text, audio, video calls, sharing images, and online activities such as painting, exercises and cooking. Moreover, older adults can do outdoor activities by inviting peers, friends or family members; the activities can be location-based IoT games, city tours, groups gardening and dinners. The outcomes of model validation will indicate how IoT characteristics can promote physical, psychological and social well-being and provide an opportunity for older adults to spend their life independently. The research that embodies this thesis includes 411 senior Portuguese Universities which are located mainland and on the island of Portugal. Using descriptive research methodology, where quantitative results are analysed, the results indicated a holistic scenario of passive and intentional communication in the context of well-being promotion among olderadults. from here, the social hybrid scenario is outlined, a hybrid model that offers passive and intentional communication between olderadults, family and medical doctors in the context of well-being promotion. The design and characteristics of the model are based on the existing knowledg, and needs of older adults, family members and also medical doctors. Such as model is a compound of passive and intentional characteristics that helps to reduce problem-related mental and physical health. The Passive and intentional communication characteristics are capable to create an environment for older adultsto take care of their psychological and physical health without any intervention and also increase their social physical and online activities, these activities help to promote the well-being of olderadults andd improve the daily lifestyle.O principal objetivo desta pesquisa é projetar e validar um modelo de cenário híbrido social baseado em IoT que tenha o potencial de promover o bem-estar psicológico e físico entre os idosos. A principal razão para projetar e validar o modelo é o crescimento da idade, os idosos enfrentam problemas psicológicos, físicos e de bem-estar social que aumentam o comprometimento cognitivo leve e a fragilidade entre os idosos. Assim, para superar os problemas dos idosos, o estudo propõe e valida um modelo de cenário híbrido social baseado em IoT. Os recursos do modelo contêm comunicação passiva na qual médicos, cuidadores e familiares podem monitorar os dados físicos dos idosos a longas distâncias. As características do modelo também contemplam comunicação intencional em que os idosos podem interagir online por meio de texto, áudio, videochamadas, compartilhamento de imagens e atividades online como pintura, exercícios e culinária. Além disso, os idosos podem fazer atividades ao ar livre convidando colegas, amigos ou familiares; as atividades podem ser jogos de IoT baseados em localização, passeios pela cidade, jardinagem em grupo e jantares. Os resultados da validação do modelo indicam como as características da IoT podem promover o bem-estar físico, psicológico e social e fornecer uma oportunidade para os idosos passarem sua vida de forma independente. A investigação que dá corpo a esta tese inclui 411 universidades portuguesas seniores localizadas no continente e na ilha de Portugal. Utilizando metodologia de pesquisa descritiva, onde são analisados resultados quantitativos, os resultados indicaram um cenário holístico de comunicação passiva e intencional no contexto da promoção do bem-estar entre idosos. a partir daqui, delineia-se o cenário social híbrido, um modelo híbrido que oferece comunicação passiva e intencional entre idosos, médicos de família e médicos no contexto da promoção do bem-estar. O desenho e as características do modelo baseiam-se no conhecimento existente e nas necessidades dos idosos, familiares e também médicos. Tal modelo é um composto de características passivas e intencionais que ajuda a reduzir os problemas relacionados com a saúde mental e física. As características de comunicação passiva e intencional são capazes de criar um ambiente para que os idosos cuidem de sua saúde psicológica e física e também aumentem suas atividades sociais físicas e online, essas atividades ajudam a promover o bem-estar dos idosos e melhorar o estilo de vida diário.Programa Doutoral em Informação e Comunicação em Plataformas Digitai

Changing mindsets through lived experience : an exploratory study of a partnership in occupational therapy education

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-165)