Successful Projects - What Makes Them Work? A Cross-National Analysis

[Excerpt] This cross national analysis is based on national studies made by research teams in India, Kenya, Romania and South Africa. It aims to draw out the lessons learnt from successful social development processes in these countries. In each country, studies have been made of projects identified as interesting, successful and/or outstanding in the way they have improved the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. In national reports, the respective teams have made their own national conclusions. This comparative report briefly describes the national studies. It then continues with a cross national analysis attempting to identify circumstances or factors that are common to these successful projects. Finally, the report summarises the conclusions and their implications. We hope that the findings presented in the report will be used as inspiration in future planning, implementation and funding of projects aiming at improving life conditions of groups that are marginalised in society. Chapter 1 and 2, describing the research process and the national reports have been written by Annika and Lennart Nilsson. Anders Gustavsson and Johans Sandvin are responsible for the cross national analysis in chapter 3 to 7. The conclusions and implications in chapter 8 have been written jointly. The study has been commissioned by Inclusion International and financed by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida)

How Interior Design Impacts Learning Performance for Children with Special Needs in Surabaya

According to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of children with special needs in 2017 reached 1.6 million, and among them, only 18% received inclusive education services. The Surabaya Government has issued a policy that every school has an inclusion class to accommodate children with special needs. Many factors determine the growth and development of children, such as formal and informal education. Therefore, equity in education for children is a crucial topic to study. Since all children should receive proper educational facilities to maximize their potential, interior design can be a solution to convey an adequate learning environment for children with special needs. Thus, this paper will survey children with special needs concerning school design planning using interactive and non-interactive qualitative data collection methods, including literature focusing on behavioral characteristics related to the environment, interviews, observation, and visits to some appropriate sites. The survey will be conducted with at least 40 respondents, including parents, teachers, and peers of the children. The goal of this study is to provide suggestions to schools around Surabaya on how to make their education more inclusive

National Aeronautics and Space Administration fundamental research program. Information utilization and evaluation

In the second half of the 1980's NASA can expect to face difficult choices among alternative fundamental and applied research, and development projects that could potentially lead to improvements in the information systems used to manage renewable resources. The working group on information utilization and evaluation believes that effective choices cannot be made without a better understanding of the current and prospective problems and opportunities involved in the application of remote sensing to improve renewable research information systems. A renewable resources information system is defined in a broad context to include a flow of data/information from: acquisition through processing, storage, integration with other data, analysis, graphic presentation, decision making, and assessment of the affects of those decisions

Towards a New Model of Leadership for the NHS

This paper was commissioned by the NHS Leadership Academy as a contribution to thinking about the future development of leadership in and around the NHS. It was prepared in collaboration with the Hay Group. The backdrop and one of the triggers was the launch of a new suite of professional development programmes sponsored and organised by the NHS Leadership Academy. From the research reported in this paper a new framework for leadership in the healthcare is built. This is being used to guide the construction of a new Leadership Model. To quote the NLA this 'will be a well-researched, evidence-based model that reflects the values of the NHS, what we know about effective leadership, what we have learned from the Leadership Framework and what our patients and communities are now asking from us as leaders'

Capitalism, Information and Democracy

Debate as regards the relation between democracy and information has been dominated by the concept of public sphere, one that has presupposed over recent decades state subsidy of information and communication resources. In contrast, this article reviews criticisms presented by pro-market analyses of inadequacies of state involvement. It proceeds to examine and engage their argument that capitalism is capable of meeting the informational needs of people when left to its own devices, especially in an era of new media developments. Capitalism can even be presented as an information system that is, in key respects, inherently democratic. The essay continues to address a further pro-market view, which suggests that concern for information in democracies is misplaced. This position contends that capitalism is crucial for liberal democracy, but that an information infrastructure - especially one subsidized by the state - is not vital for democracy's effective functioning. The policy advice of this position is unambiguous: keep the state out of information and communications domains

The Violence of Silencing

I argue that silencing (the act of preventing someone from communicating, broadly construed) can be an act of both interpersonal and institutional violence. My argument has two main steps. First, I follow others in analyzing violence as violation of integrity and show that undermining someone’s capacities as a knower can be such a violation. Second, I argue that silencing someone can violate their epistemic capacities in that way. I conclude by exploring when silencing someone might be morally justifiable, even if doing so is an act of violence

Inaccessible through oversight: the need for inclusive game design

Games are an important part of modern culture. The nature of most video games is such that it can be difficult for individuals with impairments to enjoy many titles. In many cases, this is not due to the games themselves presenting an impossible challenge, but because the games have been left inaccessible through the omission of common features. Mainstream titles are often accessible and inaccessible by turns. This strongly suggests that the resultant inaccessibility is an oversight rather than conscious design. Awareness building is an important process in improving the inclusivity of game titles. This in turn is important in ensuring that all members of society have an opportunity to enjoy a valuable recreational form. To this end, the essay discusses both the types of disability that could be supported and some common mechanisms by which this can be done. A short overview of several prominent game titles is included to provide real world context for the discussion. In this essay, the author argues that ensuring accessibility need not be a costly or an onerous task, and that great strides can be made by, simply adopting the existing good practice that is currently spread across mainstream titles