Web accessibility and mental disorders

Background: Mental disorders are a significant public health issue due to the restrictions they place on participation in all areas of life and the resulting disruption to the families and societies of those affected. People with these disorders often use the Web as an informational resource, platform for convenient self-directed treatment and a means for many other kinds of support. However, some features of the Web can potentially erect barriers for this group that limit their access to these benefits, and there is a lack of research looking into this eventuality. Therefore, it is important to identify gaps in knowledge about “what” barriers exist and “how” they could be addressed so that this knowledge can inform Web professionals who aim to ensure the Web is inclusive to this population. Objective: The objective of this work was to identify the barriers people with mental disorders, especially those with depression and anxiety, experience when using the Web and the facilitation measures used to address such barriers. Methods: This work involved three studies. First, (1) a systematic review of studies that have considered the difficulties people with mental disorders experience when using digital technologies. A synthesis was performed by categorizing data according to the 4 foundational principles of Web accessibility as proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium. Facilitation measures recommended by studies were later summarized into a set of minimal recommendations. This work also relied data triangulation using (2) face-to-face semistructured interview study with participants affected by depression and anxiety and a comparison group, as well as (3) a persona-based expert online survey study with mental health practitioners. Framework analysis was used for study 2 and study 3. Results: A total of 16 publications were included in study 1’s review, comprising 13 studies and 3 international guidelines. Findings suggest that people with mental disorders experience barriers that limit how they perceive, understand, and operate websites. Identified facilitation measures target these barriers in addition to ensuring that Web content can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user applications. In study 2, 167 difficulties were identified from the experiences of participants in the depression and anxiety group were discussed within the context of 81 Web activities, services, and features. Sixteen difficulties identified from the experiences of participants in the comparison group were discussed within the context of 11 Web activities, services, and features. In study 3, researchers identified 3 themes and 10 subthemes that described the likely difficulties people with depression and anxiety might experience online as reported by mental health practitioners. Conclusions: People with mental disorders encounter barriers on the Web, and attempts have been made to remove or reduce these barriers. This investigation has contributed to a fuller understanding of these difficulties and provides innovative guidance on how to remove and reduce them for people with depression and anxiety when using the Web. More rigorous research is still needed to be exhaustive and to have a larger impact on improving the Web for people with mental disorders

Web accessibility and mental disorders

Background: Mental disorders are a significant public health issue due to the restrictions they place on participation in all areas of life and the resulting disruption to the families and societies of those affected. People with these disorders often use the Web as an informational resource, platform for convenient self-directed treatment and a means for many other kinds of support. However, some features of the Web can potentially erect barriers for this group that limit their access to these benefits, and there is a lack of research looking into this eventuality. Therefore, it is important to identify gaps in knowledge about “what” barriers exist and “how” they could be addressed so that this knowledge can inform Web professionals who aim to ensure the Web is inclusive to this population. Objective: The objective of this work was to identify the barriers people with mental disorders, especially those with depression and anxiety, experience when using the Web and the facilitation measures used to address such barriers. Methods: This work involved three studies. First, (1) a systematic review of studies that have considered the difficulties people with mental disorders experience when using digital technologies. A synthesis was performed by categorizing data according to the 4 foundational principles of Web accessibility as proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium. Facilitation measures recommended by studies were later summarized into a set of minimal recommendations. This work also relied data triangulation using (2) face-to-face semistructured interview study with participants affected by depression and anxiety and a comparison group, as well as (3) a persona-based expert online survey study with mental health practitioners. Framework analysis was used for study 2 and study 3. Results: A total of 16 publications were included in study 1’s review, comprising 13 studies and 3 international guidelines. Findings suggest that people with mental disorders experience barriers that limit how they perceive, understand, and operate websites. Identified facilitation measures target these barriers in addition to ensuring that Web content can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user applications. In study 2, 167 difficulties were identified from the experiences of participants in the depression and anxiety group were discussed within the context of 81 Web activities, services, and features. Sixteen difficulties identified from the experiences of participants in the comparison group were discussed within the context of 11 Web activities, services, and features. In study 3, researchers identified 3 themes and 10 subthemes that described the likely difficulties people with depression and anxiety might experience online as reported by mental health practitioners. Conclusions: People with mental disorders encounter barriers on the Web, and attempts have been made to remove or reduce these barriers. This investigation has contributed to a fuller understanding of these difficulties and provides innovative guidance on how to remove and reduce them for people with depression and anxiety when using the Web. More rigorous research is still needed to be exhaustive and to have a larger impact on improving the Web for people with mental disorders

ANÁLISIS DE LAS DIFICULTADES DE APRENDIZAJE EN ESTUDIANTES CON DISCAPACIDAD INTELECTUAL

INTRODUCTION. To obtain quality education, we must emphasise the importance of assessment and be aware of the assessment strategies of the programmes, the level of involvement of teaching staff, learning abilities, etc. METHOD. Using the WISC-R questionnaire and bearing in mind the definitions proposed by various authors for identifying the learning difficulties indicated for the relevant purposes, which may be etiology and diagnosis, operational, legal or research (Miranda, 1994; Carbonero, 1994). Even with the progress of recent years in Spanish society in relation to the perception of people with disabilities, there is still a long way to go to full inclusion. RESULTS. This study focuses on a group of subjects with mild mental retardation, with the objectives of exploring their real educational situation and seeing what tools are available to them for greater personal development. DISCUSSION. With suitable psychoeducational assessment, the teaching staff in education centres can offer a suitable response for each student

Characterizing Functional Limitations in Children Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY)

This project was designed to create and pilot test a checklist for use with populations of children that present challenges for evaluators. The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) system was used to create a checklist to better characterize functional limitations in children. The checklist evaluates Body Structures and Functions, limitations in Activities and Participation resulting from speech-language difficulties, and relevant Environmental factors. Seven children with rare disorders and ten native Spanish-speaking children in Guatemala were evaluated using formal (standardized and non-standardized) tools and the pilot version of the ICF-CY based checklist. The results of testing and case studies demonstrate the clinical utility of the checklist. The main benefit of the ICF-CY checklist was identifying how children's speech-language impairments impacted their participation in daily activities. As a result, the checklist was also used to make functional treatment recommendations

Estudio piloto sobre el uso de las redes sociales en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual

Este artículo presenta un estudio piloto en el que se analiza el uso que hacen los jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual de las redes sociales. Para ello, se utiliza una investigación cuantitativa mediante un diseño descriptivo basado en la técnica de la encuesta (n=75). Los resultados obtenidos demuestran cómo los encuestados utilizan con frecuencia este tipo de medios de comunicación social para chatear con sus amigos o conocer gente con sus mismos intereses. Del mismo modo, se constata la existencia de relaciones significativas entre la  presencia de malas experiencias según el perfil en el que éstos tienen configurada la red social

Mobile Health Technologies

Mobile Health Technologies, also known as mHealth technologies, have emerged, amongst healthcare providers, as the ultimate Technologies-of-Choice for the 21st century in delivering not only transformative change in healthcare delivery, but also critical health information to different communities of practice in integrated healthcare information systems. mHealth technologies nurture seamless platforms and pragmatic tools for managing pertinent health information across the continuum of different healthcare providers. mHealth technologies commonly utilize mobile medical devices, monitoring and wireless devices, and/or telemedicine in healthcare delivery and health research. Today, mHealth technologies provide opportunities to record and monitor conditions of patients with chronic diseases such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and diabetes mellitus. The intent of this book is to enlighten readers about the theories and applications of mHealth technologies in the healthcare domain

ANÁLISIS DE LAS DIFICULTADES DE APRENDIZAJE EN ESTUDIANTES CON DISCAPACIDAD INTELECTUAL

INTRODUCTION. To obtain quality education, we must emphasise the importance of assessment and be aware of the assessment strategies of the programmes, the level of involvement of teaching staff, learning abilities, etc. METHOD. Using the WISC-R questionnaire and bearing in mind the definitions proposed by various authors for identifying the learning difficulties indicated for the relevant purposes, which may be etiology and diagnosis, operational, legal or research (Miranda, 1994; Carbonero, 1994). Even with the progress of recent years in Spanish society in relation to the perception of people with disabilities, there is still a long way to go to full inclusion. RESULTS. This study focuses on a group of subjects with mild mental retardation, with the objectives of exploring their real educational situation and seeing what tools are available to them for greater personal development. DISCUSSION. With suitable psychoeducational assessment, the teaching staff in education centres can offer a suitable response for each student

Neurology of Covid-19

The authors will present a comprehensive account of the neurological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim is to provide a practical clinical book which will serve as a guide for clinicians from all specialties involved in the management of COVID-19 patients. The authors share the extensive clinical experience gained in major hospitals in Lombardy, the first European region to face the COVID-19 emergency in 2020. All are recognized international experts in their respective fields and have been involved in the management of COVID-19 cases from the very beginning of the Italian SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The text begins with a description of pathobiological and pathophysiological aspects related to the involvement of the nervous system, moving on to the discussion of the neurological complications observed in COVID-19 patients; these range from central to peripheral symptoms, and can occur in the acute or post-acute phases of the disease. Further topics are: neuropathology, seizures and EEG, neuroimaging, delirium, encephalomyelitis, stroke, psychopathology and psychiatry, neuropsychology and cognitive impairment, neuromuscu-lar disorders, and the impact of COVID-19 on other pre-existing neurological disorders. In addi-tion, the book will discuss the new developments in teleneurology approaches, which have been a direct response to the ongoing pandemic. Finally, the possible neurological complications of the COVID-19 vaccines and the neurological complications in children will be considered.Each chapter will present a critical review of the existing literature concerning the specific subject matter, followed by practical clinical recommendations, as well as personal considerations based on the experience gained by each author during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Neurology of COVID-19 will be an original and innovative reference book for clinicians of all the specialties involved in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Publishe