A systematic review of the impact of powered mobility devices on older adults\u27 activity engagement

Purpose: To systematically review the impact powered mobility devices have on engagement in independent occupations for adults with acquired mobility limitations. Method: Electronic search of CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychInfo, OT Seeker, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Search terms included combinations of words to encompass all terms most likely used for powered mobility. Results: Eleven studies were eligible for inclusion. One study was a true experimental design; four studies were pre-experimental, and six were nonexperimental. Studies indicated positive improvements to occupational engagement and independence while environmental barriers were identified as negatively impacting occupation and increasing risk of injury or accident. Conclusions: Drawing conclusions from this research are problematic due to varying methodological quality. This review suggested two distinct themes: environmental barriers generate difficulties and challenges, which can subsequently result in accident or injury, and access to powered mobility impacts positively on areas of independence, quality of life, mobility and engagement

Assessment of powered mobility device use among older australians in residential aged care facilities

Autonomous mobility is fundamental for older Australians to participate in the activities that occupy and inspire daily life. Should a mobility difficulty arise, a powered mobility device (PMD) can assist to supplement or restore mobility, choice, and control. A PMD continues to be a valued resource once a person moves into residential aged care. However, increasing frailty among people within this group means that incidents can result in serious injury for PMD users or others living, visiting, or working in this environment. Guidelines for PMD use are available, however, there are no regulations or mandates to seek professional guidance for assessment of competence, equipment prescription, or training. Occupational therapy theory and practice can support all parts of this process. This thesis presents a three-part study using a mixed methods approach to (i) examine PMD use related incidents and injuries within residential aged care, (ii) to evaluate existing measurement tools, and (iii) to develop and undertake initial validation of a new screening tool developed for residents who use PMDs, based on classical test theory (De Vellis, 2006). The new screening tool will address a gap identified among screening tools for PMD capacity and performance skills specific to this population, to improve the balance between much needed autonomy and safety for all stakeholders.Master of Health (Research

Getting us there: funding the transport infrastructure of tomorrow

One of the key challenges facing policymakers is the question of how to fund new transport infrastructure in an increasingly fiscally restrained environment. Infrastructure expenditure is already failing to keep up with community expectations, and population growth is driving demand for new services. Meanwhile, state governments are increasingly restricted by the need to ensure that their credit ratings remain strong. As government continues to balance growing costs and proportionally declining revenue, competition for scare budget dollars will increase and infrastructure investments will be increasingly judged on their long term financial cost to government. To ensure that vital new transport infrastructure is not left off the table in future government budgets, this report has examined a number of options available for boosting the revenue streams associated with currently cost-inhibitive infrastructure classes

Choice of licensing method and crashes of young drivers

Five years of data (1998-2002) were used to examine whether there was a relationship between the method of driver licensing - Competency Based Training (CBTA) or Vehicle On-Road Test (VORT) - and the subsequent crash experience of young drivers, using logistic regression analysis.Robert Anderson, Craig Kloeden, TP Hutchinson and AJ McLea

Fields of conflict: journalism in the construction of Sydney as a global city 1983-2008

This thesis examines the relationship between media reporting and Sydney's construction as a global city over the period 1983-2008. Following Friedmann, Sassen and others it views globalisation as a process of consolidation in command and control functions in the global economy, financed through the massive creation of liquidity via expanding debt, and enabled by producer services located in a network of ‘global cities’. Theoretically, it considers major debates in urban sociology and the sociology of journalism and seeks to reconcile approaches in the two fields to achieve a theoretically coherent framework for analysis that can encompass the changing political economy of Sydney and the ways in which media representation is related to this process. In globalisation studies it examines the meta-theoretical post-industrial/ network society arguments associated with Bell and Castells, and compares them with the neo-Marxist spatiality theses associated with Harvey and Arrighi, and Foster and Magdoff on financialisation. It then discusses the global cities literature in the context of Australian urban studies. In media sociology it starts with the debate about source-journalist power relations. Following Schlesinger and Benson, it offers a critical evaluation of Bourdieu's field theory. It then adopts a framework drawing on Bourdieu, together with Harvey and Lefebvre on spatiality and Gell on temporality, to consider the complexity of dynamic power relations between journalists and other sources of power. There follow two complementary empirical case studies of communication contests over (i) debt-induced growth in the Sydney residential real estate market and (ii) the demutualisation of the largest Australian general insurer, NRMA Insurance Group Ltd. The case studies examine the differing field relations of journalistic reporting and investigation of those activities in select newspapers. It argues that the journalism was deeply engaged with and/or influenced by the interests and activities of its sources in the primary field of concern, with power being exercised in both directions but overall in the structural interests of powerful sources, though not necessarily in their personal interests. The thesis concludes with an assessment of Bourdieu's field theory in the light of the analyses, and advocates a more reflexive understanding of relations within and among fields, particularly with respect to orthodoxy/heterodoxy, autonomy/heteronomy and symbolic violence

The Reform of Misstatement Liability in Australia's Prospectus Laws

This dissertation considers the reforms made to the liability rules in Australia�s prospectus laws during the 1990s. It traces the rewrite of the fundraising provisions at the end of the 1980s as part of the new Corporations Law through to the rewrite of those provisions at the end of the 1990s as part of the CLERP Act initiative. As the law in this area is not particularly well served by detailed judicial or academic analysis in Australia, the dissertation seeks to define the scope of the Australian liability regime by reference to case law analysis, a review of relevant theoretical considerations and comparative analysis with other key jurisdictions. The thesis of the dissertation is that many of the reforms were, particularly initially, misconceived in key respects because of a failure to apply appropriate theoretical underpinnings and to take account of the lessons that could have been learned from a comparative analysis with other key jurisdictions

Impact Investments: Perspectives for Australian superannuation funds

Australia, like many jurisdictions around the world, has witnessed increasing interest and activity in impact investment over recent years as businesses, governments and communities seek new solutions to enable an inclusive and sustainable society. Philanthropists, foundations and charities as well as institutional investors have implemented impact investment strategies. These strategies aim to yield financial returns, as well as positive and measureable social and environmental impacts. While some investors pursue commercial financial returns, others consciously elect to accept reduced financial returns in the interests of pursuing greater impact. Anecdotal evidence would indicate that a well-executed impact investment strategy provides trustees the opportunity to build investment portfolios aligned to member’s values and with unique exposure and uncorrelated diversification to a wide range of geographies and sectors. All factors that support impact investment having a legitimate role within superannuation fund portfolios.Herbert Smith Freehills, Evans and Partners, The Ian Potter Foundation, Macquarie Funds Group, Macquarie Group Foundation, The University of Sydney