Youth with disabilities experience significant vocational and social hardships. Self-determination, self-efficacy, and critical consciousness are important components of positive post-secondary outcomes for this population. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a motivational interviewing-based group career intervention (MEGI) that focused on increasing self-determination, self-efficacy, and critical consciousness among high school students with high incidence disabilities. A mixed methods research design was used to explore the relationship between the intervention and the main study variables. A total of 135 high school students and nine interventionists participated in this study. The results of a latent change score model indicated a positive and significant change in students' vocational skills self-efficacy, self-determination, and vocational outcome expectations. Thematic results of student focus group indicated that students experienced an increase in self-determination, awareness of systemic effects on their educational and vocational success, and uncertainty about the future. Additionally, thematic results of the interventionist focus group indicated an increase in students' self-understanding.

<p> This study used a transformative, convergent mixed methods design, with a crossover analysis, to investigate the K-12 and postsecondary experiences young adults with disabilities perceive as influencing their persistence in postsecondary education. </p><p> Thirteen young adults who were persisting in or had completed postsecondary education programs participated in this study. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were collected through a survey that included measures of demographics, high school experiences (based on the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition&rsquo;s <i> Predictor Implementation School/District Self-Assessment</i>, 2015), self-determination (AIR Self-Determination Scale; Wolman, Campeau, Dubois, Mithaug, &amp; Stolarski, 1994), and disability identification subscale (Nario-Redmond, Noel, &amp; Fern, 2013). </p><p> Qualitative findings suggested forty-one themes important to participants&rsquo; persistence. Specifically, eight facilitators and 11 challenges at the K-12 level, and 12 facilitators and 10 challenges at the postsecondary level emerged from the data. Participants&rsquo; experiences could also be categorized into four &ldquo;transition profiles,&rdquo; based on their experiences as they adjusted to their postsecondary programs: smooth, culture shock, huge leap, and smooth despite struggles. </p><p> Quantitative findings revealed that participants reported strong academic achievement, high levels of self-determination, and neutral identification with a disability community. Self-determination and disability identification showed a statistically significant correlation. </p><p> Integration of qualitative and quantitative findings occurred through the use of data matrices and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), a multivariate technique that can be applied to categorical data. MCA was used to describe and display relationships among participant characteristics and emergent themes. </p><p> Synthesis of qualitative, quantitative, integrated, and crossover results suggested five multidimensional findings: (a) current definitions of established high school predictors of postsecondary education participation are incomplete; (b) positive K-12 experiences do not necessarily lead to smooth transitions; (c) postsecondary experiences unique to students with disabilities and universal to all students are intertwined; (d) parents fill educational gaps in K-12 years and beyond, but support is complex; and (e) disability identification and self-determination are nuanced across transition profiles, disability characteristics, and gender. </p><p> Through the lens of the transformative framework, implications of the findings for social justice and recommendations for policy, research, and practice are discussed.</p><p>

<p> This qualitative grounded theory research study explored whether there is evidence of disablism on Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Utilizing a semi-structured interview method, this research interviewed executive directors of Councils on Development Disabilities to determine their perceptions of disablism within their individual Councils. The data collection process yielded three conditions and one overarching condition. The overarching condition of communication is an essential component to the three remaining conditions of appointments, accommodation, and culture. The four conditions, while intertwined, are elements that promote or discourage disablism. These conditions led to the emergence of seven themes: a) mindfulness of communication, both verbal and nonverbal; b) involvement in the appointment process; c) perception of accommodations; d) creation of a culture that fosters acceptance, affirmation, and respect; e) equal distribution of power diminishes disablism, (Arnstein, 1969); f) prevention of disablism requires attentiveness; and g) disablism, while seemingly superficial, is evident. Each of these themes led to the development of a new substantive theory regarding disablism on Councils. The key to eliminating disablism is the application of the themes equally to both members with developmental disabilities and members without disabilities. Through such application, no segment of the Council membership would experience discrimination.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this quantitative correlational research study was to examine the extent that teaching experience affected the knowledge, implementation, and perceived skill level in implementing the 27 evidence-based practices (EBPs) established by the National Professional Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study was conducted in the state of Iowa, with special education teachers from fourteen different school districts. Survey responses were gathered from 228 special education teachers. Of the 228, there were 48 novice teachers and 180 veteran teachers. Novice teachers were classified as having less than three years of teaching experience and veteran teachers with more than three years. Based on the data, results showed that as experience tended to increase from less than three years of experience to more than three years, the scores on EBPs knowledge, implementation, and perceived skills also tended to increase. The results of the study found a positive correlation (<i>r</i> = .26, <i>p</i> = .001) between years of teaching experience and knowledge of EBPs, a positive correlation (<i>r</i> = .22, <i>p</i> = .001) between years of experience and EBP implementation, and a positive correlation (<i>r</i> = .26, <i>p</i> = .002) between years of experience and perceived skill level in implementation. This small effect size indicates that as experience increased, there was a positively correlated increase of teacher knowledge and implementation of the EBPs to use when working with students with autism. </p><p>

abstract: Hispanic Narratives of the Ill or Disabled Woman: A Feminist Disability Theory Approach, is a comprehensive study that delves into the topic of the ill or disabled female in the narratives of Hispanic female authors who either have a disability or who have been affected by a chronic or terminal illness, causing debilitation. In order to address this topic, this thesis investigates disability identity by utilizing feminist disability theory by Kim Q. Hall, Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, and Susan Wendell, amongst others, and at the same time reviews current disability policies in both Latin American and Spanish societies. By providing a critical view of this theme from a feminist standpoint, this study places emphasis on the lived experiences that ill or disabled Hispanic women face, doubly marginalized, not only based on their illness or (dis)ability, but also their gender. This in depth analysis of Fruta Podrida (2007) and Sangre en el ojo (2012) by Lina Meruane, Diario del dolor (2004) by María Luisa Puga, Clavícula: (mi clavícula y otros inmensos desajustes (2017) by Marta Sanz, Diario de una pasajera by Ágata Gligo (1997), Si crees en mí, te sorprenderé (2014) by Ana Vives, and The Ladies Gallery: A Memory of Family Secrets by Irene Vilar provides relevant information on societal norms, policies and current debate about healthcare and women’s rights in various Hispanic countries and the United States. At the same time, it emphasizes the disabled female as subject, and investigates the societal perpetuation of disability. This dissertation discusses various concepts from disability studies, such as the illness/disability narrative, corporeal invisibility, normalcy, medical pathologization, stereotyping, and ableism, and investigates them in relation to both chronic and terminal illness or physical and mental disability in relation to the ill or disabled Hispanic female. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Spanish 2018

<p> It was not known how the visually disabled perceived gaining employment or how perception affected employment seeking behaviors within this population. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore how the visually disabled perceived gaining employment and how perception affected employment seeking behaviors within this population. Action in Perception, and the enrichment perspective were used for this study. Data collection consisted of a list of questions for employed or unemployed participants, offered in print or braille, a demographics questionnaire, and interviews conducted face-to-face or by Zoom Pro. Research participants were 10 visually disabled participants 18 years and older residing in Texas. Theoretical thematic coding with an inductive analysis, hand coding, and NVivo were used for data analysis. Themes chosen prior to research were academic achievement, assistive technology, communication, self-advocacy, independence, interdependence, higher education, perception, vocational rehabilitation, and employment achievement. New themes that emerged during data collection were role models, networking, demonstration, emotional impact, self-employment, telework, and enrichment. Results showed the visually disabled perceived gaining employment as financial independence and perception affected employment seeking behaviors strongest through networking. </p><p>

nÃo hà / The objective of this study is to analyze how men with spinal cord injury experience their sexuality from a different body/identity as paraplegia or quadriplegia, taking into account the interference of erotic and effective exchanges in these experiments. In this dissertation, I develop my narrative from personal and social conflicts these individuals, also showing other forms of vision for the handicapped, wich are linked to the bodies of deviante eroticism and pornography of disability. The methodology used resulted from a need from their own field of study, so the nethnography was the most convenient tool, because it allows interation through the internet, wich provided greater accessibility to and interlocutors. Firstly, the interviews were in person and later mediated by videoconferencing. / O Objetivo deste estudo à analisar como homens com lesÃo medular vivenciam sua sexualidade a partir de uma diferenÃa corporal/identitÃria como a paraplegia ou a tetraplegia, levando em conta a interferÃncia das trocas erÃticas e afetivas nestas experiÃncias. Nessa dissertaÃÃo, desenvolvo minha narrativa a partir dos conflitos pessoais e sociais desses indivÃduos, mostrando tambÃm outras formas de visÃo sobre o deficiente fÃsico, que estÃo ligadas à erotizaÃÃo dos corpos desviantes e à pornografia da deficiÃncia. A metodologia utilizada decorreu de uma necessidade proveniente do prÃprio campo de estudo, a netnografia foi, portanto, a ferramenta mais conveniente, jà que possibilita a interaÃÃo atravÃs da internet, o que proporcionou uma maior acessibilidade aos e dos interlocutores. As entrevistas realizadas foram mediadas primeiramente presencialmente e posteriormente por vÃdeo conferÃncia.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi investigar a relação de uma família do grupo étnico-linguístico Yao com um filho deficiente. Para a coleta de dados foi realizado um trabalho de campo no Distrito de Sanga, província de Lichinga, Moçambique. Foram feitas cinco visitas a uma família, com duração aproximada de duas horas diárias, sendo realizadas observações da rotina e conversas com a família, principalmente com a mãe. A família é constituída por dez pessoas, sendo a mãe, seis filhos, entre eles um jovem de 16 anos com deficiência intelectual, e duas avós, uma materna e a outra paterna e um neto. A família apresenta um nível sócio-econômico baixo, não recebem nenhum auxílio financeiro governamental e o sustento vem basicamente da atividade agrícola de subsistência. Todos os membros da família são analfabetos e só falam a língua Yao, sendo necessário o auxílio de uma intérprete para a coleta de dados. Além das observações e conversas com a família, foram realizadas também entrevistas com o líder da comunidade, o curandeiro, a parteira e os agentes sociais. A partir da sistematização dos dados foram propostos os eixos de análise, a saber: dinâmica familiar e participação do jovem Bernardo na rotina da família e da comunidade; explicação da mãe sobre a condição do filho e aspectos referentes à relação entre a família e a pesquisadora. Sobre a dinâmica familiar pode se notar relações afetuosas entre todos membros da família e inclusive no tratamento em relação à Bernardo. Todavia, segundo relato da mãe, não confirmado pela observação, Bernardo fica acorrentado porque invade as casas da vizinhança e pega seus pertences. As interações entre Bernardo e os membros da família são esporádicos, pois o jovem não se comunica verbalmente e fica praticamente o tempo todo isolado, de pé, parado em um canto do terreno da casa. Não passou pelos rituais de iniciação comuns na cultura Yao. A condição de Bernardo, foi explicada pelo curandeiro à mãe, pois a mesma não obteve esclarecimento satisfatório dos médicos. Segundo o curandeiro, a doença de Bernardo é causada pela presença do espírito do irmão gêmeo falecido no momento do parto. A partir do confronto dos dados coletados com outros estudos pode-se notar que várias manifestações decorrentes da presença da deficiência apontadas pela literatura não foram observadas na relação entre a família o jovem Bernardo. Todavia, o pouco tempo de permanência no campo não permite afirmações mais seguras, assim como se torna difícil avaliar o quanto este jovem está incluído ou não na família e na comunidade sem conhecer mais profundamente as referencias culturais. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa se encerra apontando a necessidade de se realizar mais estudos para se conhecer os significados da deficiência nos diversos grupos étnico-linguísticos de Moçambique e avaliar mais precisamente as condições necessárias para se promover uma melhor qualidade de vida das pessoas com deficiência / The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship of an ethnic-linguistic Yao family with a disabled adolescent. For data collection a fieldwork in Sanga District, province of Lichinga, Mozambique was done. There were five visits to a family, which last about two hours a day, the visits held routine observations and conversations with the family, especially with the mother. The family consists of ten members, including the mother, six children, a 16 year old with intellectual disabilities, and two grandmothers (one maternal and one paternal). The family has a low socioeconomic status, receive no financial aid from the government. Their support comes primarily from subsistence agricultural activity. All family members are illiterate and only speak the Yao language, requiring the assistance of an interpreter for the data collection. Besides observations and conversations with the family, interviews with community leader, healer, midwife and social agents were also carried out. After data systematization, axes of analysis were set: family dynamics and participation of the young Bernardo in the family routine and in the community; mothers description about the condition of child and aspects concerning the relationship between the family and the researcher. On family dynamics, it can be noted an affectionate relationships between all family members including Bernardo. However, according to the mothers\' reports, unconfirmed by observation, Bernardo is chained because he invades homes in the neighborhood and takes their belongings. Interactions between Bernardo and family members are sporadic because he cannot communicate verbally, and is almost constantly isolated, in his feet, standing in a corner of the house; he has not passed the initiation rites of culture Yao. The condition of Bernardo, was explained by the healer to the mother, because she did not obtain satisfactory clarification from doctors. According to the healer, Bernardos illness is caused by the presence of the spirit of his twin brother died at birth. Comparing data collected in this work with other studies it may be noted that various manifestations about the presence of disability by the literature were not observed in the relationship between young Bernardo and his family. However, the short time spent in the field does not allow definite statement , as it is difficult to assess how much this young man is included or not in the family and in the community without a deeper understanding of the cultural references. In this sense, this research concludes pointing out the need to perform more studies in order to know the meanings of disability in various ethno-linguistic groups from Mozambique and evaluate more precisely the necessary conditions to promote a better quality of life for people with disabilities

<p> Public Law 94-142 (PL 94-142), the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, was signed into legislation in 1975. This anchor piece of legislation became one of the most influential in the advocacy of a special needs population that previously had been institutionalized or removed from the public school setting because they were not learning as other students were. With subsequent pieces of legislation and continued advocacy, significant numbers of students with disabilities (SWDs) are enrolling in institutions of higher education. Students are provided with transition plans, which are legislatively mandated to offer postsecondary options for SWDs. However, the general problem is the low retention and graduation rates of postsecondary SWDs. Comparatively, postsecondary SWDs earning a college degree range from 11&ndash;13%, whereas 28&ndash;30% of their non-disabled peers earn a college degree. Specifically, academic accommodations have been the catalyst for learning in the K-12 setting, yet there is a common misunderstanding of their purpose and use in the postsecondary setting. This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of postsecondary SWDs accessing academic accommodations in their postsecondary educational attainment. Specifically, this study will examine perceptions, experiences, attitudes, and academic accommodations related to the success or failure of postsecondary SWDs. Participants will include postsecondary SWDs attending a small, private, faith-based institution of higher education in Lakeland, Florida, a city in Polk County, which is centrally located between Tampa and Orlando, Florida.</p><p>

<p> The passage of The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (2002), formerly known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, sparked a significant rise in the number of students with disabilities receiving their instruction in the inclusive setting. While previous legislation mandated that students with disabilities be included in standardized testing, NCLB called for closing the achievement gap between students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers. Research indicated the success of students with disabilities in the general educational setting was influenced by teacher attitude. This qualitative study addressed secondary general and special education teacher attitudes and beliefs surrounding the practice of inclusion. It focused on comparing data on teacher attitudes towards the inclusion of students with disabilities into the general educational setting. Forty secondary teachers of varying ages, education, and with a range of five to 32 years of experience, from several school districts around metropolitan Saint Louis participated in this study. An electronic survey and semi- structured interviews were employed to query the teachers&rsquo; attitudes regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general educational setting and the perceived barriers. The results indicated that teachers&rsquo; attitudes were generally positive toward the ideology of inclusion; however, when asked to express their views about the practice of inclusion in open-ended survey questions, results indicated less than positive views toward the practice of inclusion for all students. The most noteworthy factors associated with the negative attitudes was the lack of administrative support, and lack of training. Results also indicated that special education teachers&rsquo; attitudes towards inclusion were significantly more positive than those of general education teachers. The analysis of data revealed there was not a significant correlation between teachers&rsquo; attitudes of inclusion in regards to their type of certification, degree level, and years of experience.</p><p>