Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing impairment, which results in difficulties with communication, information acquisition, orientation, and mobility. Access to information in accessible formats and communication support is crucial for individuals who are deafblind, particularly within the healthcare system, where communication barriers can result in inadequate medical treatments or misdiagnoses. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the experiences and challenges of deafblind individuals within healthcare settings, as well as their satisfaction with the quality of care received. A focus group with six deafblind individuals was conducted, with an interpreter facilitating communication. Analysis of participants’ experiences identified eight themes, with the greatest challenges being inadequate organization of the healthcare system and communication difficulties with medical professionals. Although interpreters are essential for effective communication, participants reported situations where they were not allowed to be present during examinations. Despite the dedication of certain healthcare professionals, they mostly emphasized negative experiences and expressed overall low satisfaction with the quality of care received. Deafblind individuals face numerous challenges in the healthcare system that diminish satisfaction with care, underscoring the importance of raising awareness about deafblindness and ensuring that the accessibility requirements of this population (such as communication support) are addressed in healthcare practice.
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities
Purpose. This paper examines the extent to which job satisfaction, requests for accommodations, and the likelihood of a request being granted vary by disability status. We further analyze whether being granted workplace accommodations moderates the relationship between work satisfaction and disability. Methods. We use a novel survey of healthcare workers centered on disability status, perceptions of work experiences, and the provision of accommodations. The data are used in a descriptive analysis and multiple regressions to examine the moderating effect of accommodations on the relationship between disability and indicators related to job satisfaction. Results. Results show that people with disabilities have more negative perceptions of their work experiences than people without disabilities. Although people with disabilities are more likely to request accommodations than people without disabilities, they are equally likely to have their requests wholly or partly granted. Regression results indicate that the negative relationships between disability status and most measures of work experience are largely eliminated when accounting for the disposition of accommodation requests. The main exception is turnover intentions, in which the adverse relationship with having a disability does not change even when an accommodation is granted. Partly granting accommodations is helpful only for some metrics of job experience. Conclusion. Our paper shows that fully granting accommodations can go a long way to closing the disability gap in job satisfaction between people with and without disabilities.
Abdul Rehman , Zeenat Siddique , Anum Khalid
et al.
Background: Cricket requires a special blend of mental sharpness, technical skill, and physical fitness. Plyometric exercises, known for enhancing explosive power and speed, have gained popularity in cricket training.
Objective: to investigate the impact of plyometric exercises on the overall performance of domestic cricket players, considering their demanding physical requirements
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Bestion Cricket Club (Gujrat Sports Complex). The study included n=22 cricket players, a plyometric group (n=11), and a conventional group (n=11) that underwent a training program focusing on upper and lower body exercises. Training sessions occurred three times a week for 60 minutes, with appropriate rest periods. Data was collected at baseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week, and 8th week.
Results: The average age is 19.74±1.65 years, BMI is 26.0±13.95 and average sleep duration was 8.48±1.309 hours. Plyometric training led to significant improvements in agility (p=0.04), strength (1RM, p=0.03), flexibility (Sit & Reach, p<0.001), balance (SEBT-L, p=0.04; SEBT-AM, p=0.04), and throw length (p<0.001) among university-level cricketers, with notable gains from the 4th to 8th weeks. Bowling speed increased within the plyometric group (p<0.001), though not significantly between groups (p=0.15). Conventional training showed limited improvements. Overall, plyometric training proved more effective than conventional methods in enhancing cricket-specific fitness.
Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that plyometric training enhances the physical fitness components and also has some effect on the technical skills of domestic cricket players as well.
Keywords: agility; balance; coordination; endurance; plyometric; physical activity.
Clinical trials # NCT06155071
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities
Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease affecting millions worldwide. It imposes significant physical, economic, psychological, and social burdens on patients and healthcare providers. This study aimed to determine the levels of psychological well-being and social support among individuals undergoing hemodialysis, and to investigate the correlation between these two variables.
Methods: A descriptive correlational study design was employed at the Al-Amal Dialysis Center in Kirkuk City, Iraq, from November 20, 2024, to May 30, 2025. A non-probability purposive sample of 260 patients with CKD was recruited. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic characteristics, the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), and the social support scale for healthcare providers.
Results: Most participants were male (56.2%), aged 60-69 years (32.4%), had low educational attainment (27.3%), and reported barely sufficient economic status (49.2%). Most patients demonstrated moderate perceived social support (63%) and psychological well-being. Significant relationships were observed between educational level, marital status, and perceived social support. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between overall psychological well-being and social support (r=0.27, P=0.001).
Discussion: This study found that most chronic hemodialysis patients experienced moderate perceived social support and psychological well-being. Significant relationships were identified between educational level, marital status, and social support. Importantly, higher levels of social support were significantly associated with better psychological well-being in CKD.
Medicine, Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities
This article focuses on the concept of self-determination and the design and validation of digital tools intended to promote the self-determination of vulnerable people. Self-determination is an essential skill for carrying out daily activities. But in certain situations, and for certain populations, self-determination is lacking, which leads to the inability to live an independent life and in favorable conditions of well-being and health. In recent years, self-determination enhancing technologies have been developed and used to promote independent living among people with self-determination disorders. We will illustrate the main digital tools to support self-determination developed for two populations of people suffering from self-determination disorders: people with an intellectual disability and people with an autism spectrum disorder. The ability of these digital assistants to improve the comfort of life of these people will also be presented and discussed.
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected global employment landscapes, disproportionately impacting individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Objective This scoping review investigates the pandemic's effects on supported employment for individuals with DD, focusing on job loss, remote work accessibility, and the effectiveness of supported employment initiatives. Methods Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive literature search from December 2019 to November 2023. We included 11 articles in our review. Results The review highlighted three primary themes. First, individuals with DD experienced significant challenges in accessing remote work opportunities, which affected their employment stability during the pandemic. Second, despite severe job disruptions, these individuals demonstrated resilience, with supported employment and workplace adjustments playing a crucial role in maintaining employment for many. Third, the findings emphasize the importance of universal design (UD) in fostering inclusive work environments that accommodate the diverse needs of all employees, particularly those with disabilities. Conclusion The findings stress the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap in remote work opportunities for individuals with DD. Future practices should focus on enhancing workforce inclusivity through robust education, training, and the implementation of UD principles.
Christine A. Reid, Lauren Avellone, Kanako Iwanaga
et al.
Despite the well-documented benefits of employment on health, quality of life, and longevity, vocational considerations are often overlooked in life care plans. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of various pathways to employment, so life care planners can be aware of the kinds of elements that may be important in preparing the “road map” life care plan for people with disabilities and their families to follow. This article provides a comprehensive overview of various pathways to employment, including vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment, and customized employment approaches. It also explores meaningful alternatives such as volunteer work and preparatory training opportunities including internships, apprenticeships, and higher education. Comprehensive vocational planning in life care planning is discussed for life care planners with and without vocational expertise.
This study explores the role of Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) in empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kerala, India, through grassroots initiatives. Drawing on insights from four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted in the districts of Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Idukki and Wayanad, the research examines the diverse interventions of DPOs. It highlights their significant contributions to promoting social inclusion, fostering economic independence and providing essential rehabilitation support for PWDs. Participants from these FGDs include leaders and members of DPOs, highlighting the diverse challenges faced by PWDs and the strategies adopted by DPOs to address them. The findings reveal that DPOs have been instrumental in promoting awareness of disability rights, advocating for accessible infrastructure and encouraging inclusive education. By fostering vocational skills, providing employment opportunities and facilitating micro-enterprises, these organisations have helped PWDs achieve economic self-reliance. Moreover, the study shows that the involvement of DPOs in health-related services, such as rehabilitation, medical support and the provision of assistive devices, has enhanced the quality of life for PWDs. The study underscores the importance of collective action through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and federations in strengthening leadership and advocacy efforts. It also highlights the critical role of DPOs in advocating for policy reforms and engaging in rights-based activism to combat discrimination and social stigma. The DPOs’ ability to network with local government bodies, NGOs and community organisations has further amplified their impact, ensuring sustained support for the PWD community. Further, the study examines the successes and challenges faced by DPOs, contributing to a deeper understanding of how grassroots organisations can act as powerful catalysts for empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The findings offer valuable insights into disability-inclusive development, providing lessons that are applicable not only in India but also globally.
Background: A stroke is the sudden loss of neural function caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. It causes symptoms such as paresis, hypoesthesia, cognitive impairment, spasticity.
Objective(s): To compare the effects of Perfetti’s Method versus routine physical therapy on cognition, dexterity, and sensory motor function of the upper extremity in stroke patients.
Methodology: In this study, 74 stroke participants were enrolled. Randomised into two groups, with 37 patients in each group. Group A was treated with routine physical therapy, and Group B was treated with Perfetti’s Method and routine physical therapy. The measurements of both groups were recorded at the beginning of the study and after the 12th post-treatment week. Sensory motor function was measured with the Fugal-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), dexterity was measured with the Box and Block Test (BBT), and level of cognition was measured with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) in both groups at the beginning of the study and after the end of training (12th post-treatment weak). Data was gathered using the Purposive sampling method and data entered into SPSS-25 for statistical analysis.
Results: According to this study 74 participants, mean age was 53.21±12.02 male were 45(60.8%) and female were 29(40.2%). Mean Body Mass Index was 23.23±3.47. Right Side was affected among 32(43.2%) and Left Side was affected among 42(56.8%) Sensory Motor Function mean was Pretreatment 66.70±26.88 and Post-treatment 110.09±11.91. Level of Cognition mean was pretreatment 22.62±3.30 and Post-treatment 29.31±1.47. Dexterity mean Pretreatment was 8.18±11.64 and Post-treatment was 84.48±15.03. P Value was 0.00 which was <0.005 which means that there was significant difference between the mean value of pretreatment and post-treatment sensory motor function, Level of Cognition and Dexterity. There was significant difference between the mean value of Group A and B in sensory motor function, Level of Cognition and Dexterity as the P Value was 0.027, 0.04 and 0.02 respectively.
Conclusion:
Perfetti's method was more effective than routine physical therapy.
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities, Therapeutics. Psychotherapy
Mashudu R. Mphohoni, Martha Geiger, Surona Visagie
et al.
Background: International and local policy frameworks on disability promote inclusive higher education practices for students with disabilities (SWD). However, the actual application of these frameworks concerning students with physical disabilities (SWPD) in any School of Health Care Sciences (SHCS) is uncertain in South African universities.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of academic and admission staff on the inclusion of SWPD in SHCS at a South African university. The study was carried out at a University of Health Sciences in South Africa.
Method: A qualitative study in which respondents (n = 12) were interviewed in depth about their perceptions on the inclusion of SWPD in the SHCS. Thematic analysis was used in the data assessment.
Results: The results revealed three main themes: policy discourse, environmental effects on inclusion and SWPD enrolment. Respondents reported the lack of a disability inclusion policy and disability unit to support SWD in general. The respondents also noted that there were environmental challenges that could potentially affect the inclusion of SWPD in SHCS study programmes. Respondents also indicated that there was no SWPD enrolment as the university’s current inclusion and/or quota system does not include SWD.
Conclusion: The findings of the study showed a lack of disability inclusion policy, environmental challenges and lack of SWPD enrolment. Based on the study findings, it can be concluded that inclusion of SWPD at this university may be negatively influenced.
Contribution: The study findings contribute to the field of disability and the inclusion of SWPD in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities, Communities. Classes. Races
This research aims to find where visually impaired users find appliances hard to use and suggest guideline to solve this issue. 181 visually impaired users have been surveyed, and 12 visually impaired users have been selected based on disability cause and classification. In a home-like environment, we had participants perform tasks which were sorted using Hierarchical task analysis on six major home appliances. From this research we found out that home appliances sometimes only provide visual information which causes difficulty in sensory processing. Also, interfaces tactile/auditory feedbacks are the same making it hard for people to recognize which feature is processed. Blind users cannot see the provided information so they rely on long-term memory to use products. This research provides guideline for button, knob and remote control interface for visually impaired users. This information will be helpful for project planners, designers, and developers to create products which are accessible by visually impaired people. Some of the features will be applied to upcoming home appliance products.
The purpose of this paper is to contribute towards the near-future privacy-preserving big data analytical healthcare platforms, capable of processing streamed or uploaded timeseries data or videos from patients. The experimental work includes a real-life knee rehabilitation video dataset capturing a set of exercises from simple and personalised to more general and challenging movements aimed for returning to sport. To convert video from mobile into privacy-preserving diagnostic timeseries data, we employed Google MediaPipe pose estimation. The developed proof-of-concept algorithms can augment knee exercise videos by overlaying the patient with stick figure elements while updating generated timeseries plot with knee angle estimation streamed as CSV file format. For patients and physiotherapists, video with side-to-side timeseries visually indicating potential issues such as excessive knee flexion or unstable knee movements or stick figure overlay errors is possible by setting a-priori knee-angle parameters. To address adherence to rehabilitation programme and quantify exercise sets and repetitions, our adaptive algorithm can correctly identify (91.67%-100%) of all exercises from side- and front-view videos. Transparent algorithm design for adaptive visual analysis of various knee exercise patterns contributes towards the interpretable AI and will inform near-future privacy-preserving, non-vendor locking, open-source developments for both end-user computing devices and as on-premises non-proprietary cloud platforms that can be deployed within the national healthcare system.
This study aims to identify the performance factors and improvement measures of the minimum wage exclution system for people with disabilities working in social enterprises for people with disabilities after the introduction of work ability evaluation for exemption from minimum wage application, and ultimately provide directions for improving the quality of employment and leading a humanized life for people with severe disabilities. To this end, structured questions for Delphi surveys were derived based on literature studies such as domestic and foreign laws, academic papers, and research reports, and content validity was secured through consultation with seven experts with a high understanding of vocational rehabilitation facilities for the disabled and the minimum wage exclusion system. The Delphi survey was conducted twice with a total of 30 academic and field experts related to vocational rehabilitation, and the results of the Delphi survey were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program and the Excel program. First, in terms of the performance factors of the minimum wage exclusion system for social enterprises for the disabled, it was found that the social responsibility factor, identity factor, image factor, and wage level management factor contributed to the performance of the business owners, while the psychological factor, social factor, personal factor, stigma reduction factor, employment opportunity factor, social participation factor, and working condition discrimination factor contributed to the performance of the disabled. Second, measures to improve the minimum wage exclusion system for the disabled in vocational rehabilitation facilities need to be improved in terms of minimum wage preservation factors, social security-linked factors, purchasing power factors, job security factors, job security factors, evaluation update cycle factors, evaluation tool factors, evaluation result analysis factors, evaluation result analysis factors, evaluation results application factors, institutional discrimination resolution factors, delivery system adequacy factors, regulations appropriateness factors, supplementary system construction factors, conditional welfare factors, introduction of vocational rehabilitation facility certification systems, market support factors, and solidarity economic factors.
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps people with disabilities gain or improve employment. However, previous research into program outcomes has primarily focused on subsets of participants with specific diagnoses instead of the full population. OBJECTIVE: We chronicled the population’s personal characteristics, services received, and program outcomes to inform hypotheses about relationships between personal characteristics, services, and program outcomes. METHODS: These characteristics were analyzed for all 572,490 adult cases that closed between 2017 and 2018. Descriptive statistical distributions compare the applicants with their two subgroups: participants and non-participants. RESULTS: Seven of the 20 primary impairment categories encompassed 78%of applicants. Sixty-three percent of applicants completed an individualized plan for employment (IPE) and became participants. Eighty-five percent of participants and 43%of non-participants received VR services. Half of VR participants exited unemployed and 44%achieved competitive integrated employment (CIE). Two-thirds of non-participants exited before developing their IPE mostly because they either lost interest in VR or VR lost the ability to talk to them. CONCLUSION: The results describe variables that can potentially affect program enrollment and program outcomes. Future work assessing VR should consider these variables when evaluating services that are most impactful to exiting employment.
BACKGROUND: Self-employment continues to be an elusive competitive integrated employment outcome (CIE) for people with disabilities receiving services from State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRA). This article provides a snapshot of the extent to which self-employment is occurring within the SVRA program as a CIE outcome. Recommendations are included for VR policies and practices that may expand the self-employment participation and outcomes for an inclusive range of VR recipients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of the national outcomes in self-employment for individuals served by the SVRAs for program years 2018, 2019, and 2020. METHODS: The data in this article was provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) as part of the RSA Case Service Report (RSA-911) for 2018, 2019, and 2020. RESULTS: Self-employment continues to be an underutilized VR service. Outcomes in self-employment as a percentage of all VR outcomes in CIE remained low and stagnant during 2018 and 2019 with a noticeable drop in outcomes for PY 2020. Consistently, self-employment outcomes are predominantly achieved in the VR system by a homogenous population of older (age 50+) participants whose race is white and gender is male. CONCLUSION: Unless the field of vocational rehabilitation proactively commits to diversifying and expanding self-employment participation and outcomes, the odds are that the outcomes for self-employment will remain unchanged.
Joshua P. Taylor, Katherine J. Inge, Emily T. Malouf
BACKGROUND: Self-employment is defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 as a competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcome. However, an analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) reveals that a limited number of people with disabilities receiving vocational rehabilitation services exit the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies with a self-employment outcome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professionals report as facilitators of self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. METHOD: A national sample of VR professionals was recruited to participate in a series of focus groups. Using Zoom Meeting, participants discussed their experiences with self-employment when providing services to people with disabilities. The research team used NVivo12 software to conduct primary data analysis of the transcribed focus group sessions with the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the analysis to include 1) resources, 2) practices, 3) experiences, and 4) attitudes. Each of these major themes contained subthemes related to facilitators of self-employment for people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: A key finding was the need for more comprehensive and individualized training and support for VR counselors. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Pakistan is ranked 5th in terms of population with 232 million people, while 338 million people are predicted by 20501. As one of the country’s major challenges, health care is managed on two levels: the provincial level and the federal level. Health care budgets are allocated 19.5 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, about 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but less than the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)2.
As a key component of healthcare, physical rehabilitation includes habilitating children born with different abilities, restoring normal physical function after stroke, regaining normal physical function after musculoskeletal injuries, cardiorespiratory, sports, geriatric, speech, gynecological, and achieving physical independence through prosthetic and orthotic devices 3. The benefits of regular physical activity and physical fitness are also associated with decreased chronic disease risk, preventing tenderness, promoting longevity and enhancing the quality of life 4.
According to statistics, there were 27-34 million people with different abilities in Pakistan in 2014, while globally 15% of the total population had disability 5. In terms of stroke prevalence per capita, Pakistan has the highest rate. The number of stroke cases reported in Pakistan each day is approximately 1000, resulting in 400 deaths daily, while the remaining 600 cases are managed through medical management and rehabilitation 6. The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Pakistan is approximately double (i.e., 4 children per 1000) than globally (2-3 children per 1000).
In physical rehabilitation, research is vital to reporting key statistics about prevalence and incidence, identifying risk factors, adapting and developing diagnostic tools, testing for reliability and validity, and assessing whether existing treatment techniques are effective, as well as developing new protocols, guidelines, and treatment techniques.
Research mentorship and supervision are key challenges in rehabilitation research in Pakistan, even though the first rehabilitation institution was established in the 1950s 7. Research in rehabilitation has expanded in the last two decades with the launch of MS/M.Phil and Ph.D. programs in universities. In various universities, faculty and MS/M.Phil and Ph.D. level students started doing research and publishing papers, but there was a lack in research mentorship/supervision. In the beginning, foreign faculty were engaged in some universities. However, today some supervisors with Ph.D. qualifications are available and supervise projects of Ph.D. level students.
Researchers in the rehabilitation sciences face another challenge when it comes to accessing literature. There are a majority of quality research journals that are not open access to students and institutions, and they require paid subscriptions. Since these journals charge subscription fees and publication charges, they restrict access to quality literature, publication of reports, and publication of research 8.
Providing funding for research projects in rehabilitation sciences professions has always been a challenge. The total budget for the financial year 2022-23 was 9,000 billion PKR, and there was only 44 billion PKR allocated to higher education. In total, only 04% of the budget is allocated for higher education 2. The higher education commission of Pakistan chartered 247 universities and degree-awarding institutions. There are approximately 58,000 university teachers and 2 million university students. HEC funds research projects through the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU), Technology Development Fund (TDF), Local Challenge Fund (LCF), Grand Challenge Fund (GCF), Rapid Technology Transfer Grant (RTTG), Technology Transfer Support Fund (TTSF), and Innovative and Collaborative Research Grant (ICRG) 9.
Lack of latest equipment, research laboratories, and specialized research centers in the country especially in the universities and degree awarding or higher education affiliated institutions. There is a lack of the latest and modern diagnostic equipment, tools, and therapeutic equipment, as technology evolving very fast in the last two decades, and very sophisticated equipment is now been available in the portal form.
The way forward is to focus on research-related specialized faculty training and support to enroll faculty members in research-based MS/M. Phil and Ph.D. level degrees in physical rehabilitation, especially in top-ranked universities in technologically developed countries. HEC and universities must facilitate the faculty member, MS/M.Phil and Ph.D. level students for access to research databases and high-impact factor research journals. The state must increase the annual budget for higher education as per the recommendation of the WHO and plan to develop well-equipped research laboratories and research centers in the universities and affiliated teaching hospitals.
REFERENCES
• Info W. Population of Pakistan (2020 and historical). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/pakistan-population/ (accessed 3/10/2023 2023).
• Finance Division GoP. Federal Budget Publications 2022-23. 2022. https://www.finance.gov.pk/fb_2022_23.html (accessed 3/10/2023 2023).
• Jesus TS, Papadimitriou C, Bright FA, Kayes NM, Pinho CS, Cott CA. Person-centered rehabilitation model: framing the concept and practice of person-centered adult physical rehabilitation based on a scoping review and thematic analysis of the literature. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2022; 103(1): 106-20.
• Anderson E, Durstine JL. Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review. Sports Medicine and Health Science 2019; 1(1): 3-10.
• JAMIL K. World Health Organization Global Disability Action Plan 2014–2021: challenges and perspectives for physical medicine and rehabilitation in Pakistan. J Rehabil Med 2017; 49: 10-21.
• Hashmi M, Khan M, Wasay M. Growing burden of stroke in Pakistan: a review of progress and limitations. International journal of stroke 2013; 8(7): 575-81.
• Malik AN, Anwar S, Siddiqi FA. Research Barriers & facilitators of Physical Therapists of Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal 2016; 41(3): 369-72.
• Batool U. REHABILITATION RESEARCH BARRIERS IN PAKISTAN: soi: 21-2017/re-trjvol02iss02p58. The Rehabilitation Journal 2018; 2(02): 58-9.
• Higher Education Comission P. RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMS. 2022. https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/RnD/Pages/Research-Grants.aspx (accessed 3/10/2023 2023).
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities, Therapeutics. Psychotherapy
Data is everywhere but may not be accessible to everyone. Conventional data visualization tools and guidelines often do not actively consider the specific needs and abilities of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), leaving them excluded from data-driven activities and vulnerable to ethical issues. To understand the needs and challenges people with IDD have with data, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with individuals with IDD and their caregivers. Our algorithmic interview approach situated data in the lived experiences of people with IDD to uncover otherwise hidden data encounters in their everyday life. Drawing on findings and observations, we characterize how they conceptualize data, when and where they use data, and what barriers exist when they interact with data. We use our results as a lens to reimagine the role of visualization in data accessibility and establish a critical near-term research agenda for cognitively accessible visualization.
BACKGROUND: Adequate, accessible public transportation is essential to fully address social and economic disparities that exist among individuals with disabilities. Despite removal of many physical barriers within transportation systems, significant barriers to public transportation for people with disabilities are still widespread. OBJECTIVE: Transportation is commonly cited as an obstacle to employment for individuals with disabilities, and as a result, a thorough analysis of specific factors influencing the use of public transportation by individuals with disabilities is necessary to fully understand patterns of use. METHOD: The current study used a national sample of individuals with disabilities in pursuit of employment to investigate characteristics that predict the receipt of transportation services by vocational rehabilitation personnel. RESULTS: Results indicate individuals who were not employed, who were receiving welfare and/or TANF, who were homeless, who were living in rehabilitation facilities, and/or who were living in substance abuse treatment centers were more likely to receive transit services from vocational rehabilitation programs. Also, individuals with substance use problems, mental health disorders, HIV/AIDS or other immune deficiency disorders, and/or people from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to receive transit service support from vocational rehabilitation programs. CONCLUSION: Improvement in transportation services for individuals with disabilities is needed on a systems and individual level. State rehabilitation counselors can evaluate the extent high-risk clients identified in this study can benefit from transit services as well as other wrap around services that can improve their engagement in VR services leading to better employment outcomes.
Given the significant role of employment on independent living and well-being among individuals with disabilities, such as those with mental illness, it is important to examine the experiences of racially and ethnically diverse cultural groups, including Asian Americans. However, little research has focused on Asian Americans with disabilities in the rehabilitation counseling field. This study examined knowledge of state vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and the perceived importance and likeliness of receiving VR services in a sample of 315 Asian Americans. Survey questions were developed to ask participants’ perceived importance of receiving various VR services provided within state VR agencies and the likeliness of receiving or recommending each service if they or their family members had a mental illness. The results showed that most participants were not familiar with state VR services. Although slightly different patterns were identified in the participants’ importance and likeliness ratings, the top important and preferable service was diagnosis and treatment. The information gathered in this study has important implications for crafting culturally sensitive and effective outreach and marketing strategies in Asian American communities.