26 research outputs found

    Self-Esteem in Second Life: An inWorld Group Intervention for Women with Disabilities

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    We are developing and investigating the feasibility of a self-esteem enhancement intervention in Second Life for women with physical disabilities. We adapted the curriculum of a previously tested workshop intervention to include features unique to this environment. Results of the beta test were very positive. Everyone involved showed considerable enthusiasm for exploring the new world of SL. The group leaders were challenged to resolve technical problems on every occasion, but these diminished and were perceived as manageable as the intervention progressed. Beta testers gave positive ratings to the information presented, organization, and usefulness of the intervention and found it very enjoyable although fatigue and stress limited the participation of some. They appreciated the use of Internet technology as an accommodation to their disability, in place of requiring transportation and additional energy expenditure to attend face-to-face meetings. Research issues related to engagement, measurement, and participant safety, as well as future research directions, are discussed. We conclude that SL has great potential for delivering health promotion interventions to women with physical disabilities

    Abuse Assessment Screen–Disability (AAS-D): Measuring Frequency, Type, and Perpetrator of Abuse toward Women with Physical Disabilities

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    An interview questionnaire was presented to a multiethnic sample of 511 women, age 18–64 years, at public and private specialty clinics to determine the frequency, type, and perpetrator of abuse toward women with physical disabilities. The four-question Abuse Assessment Screen–Disability (AAS-D) instrument detected a 9.8% prevalence (50 of 511) of abuse during the previous 12 months. Using two standard physical and sexual assault questions, 7.8% of the women (40 of 511) reported abuse. The two disability-related questions detected an additional 2.0% of the women (10 of 511) as abused. Women defining themselves as other than black, white, or Hispanic (i.e., Asian, mixed ethnic background) were more likely to report physical or sexual abuse or both, whereas disability-related abuse was reported almost exclusively by white women. The perpetrator of physical or sexual abuse was most likely to be an intimate partner. Disability-related abuse was attributed equally to an intimate partner, a care provider, or a health professional. This study concludes that both traditional abuse-focused questions and disability-specific questions are required to detect abuse toward women with physical disabilities

    The Changing Face of Women with Disabilities: Are We Ready?

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    Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities Experienced by People with Disabilities: Myth versus Reality

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    Disability has yet to achieve its proper place in the discussion of health disparities. Several major Federal initiatives to remove health disparities have only addressed disability as a consequence of poverty, low education levels, lack of access to health care, and other disparity factors, but fail to acknowledge people with disabilities as a health disparity population. Whereas policymakers and health disparities researchers regard disability as an indicator of reduced quality of life, rehabilitation researchers focus on maximizing health and quality of life in the context of disability. This article discusses the characteristics and possible causes of health disparities experienced by people with disabilities, illustrated with examples from sexuality and reproductive health. The authors offer six pathways for eliminating the health disparities faced by people with disabilities: 1) Include information about wellness in the context of disability in the education of physicians and other health care providers, 2) Offer empowerment opportunities to people with disabilities, 3) Promote compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 4) Remove barriers to participation by people with disabilities in health research and education, 5) Acknowledge people with disabilities as a health disparities population and include their issues in national health care policy, and 6) Encourage media coverage of health issues for people with disabilities and the portrayal of successful, healthy people with disabilities in publicity related to all health topics
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