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Dance performance that is inclusive of dancers with differing corporealities has the potential to generate positive societal change with regard to perceptions of physical difference. Dance is a valuable site for exploring the placement of the physically disabled body in contemporary society, and for disrupting existing perceptions of disability as transgressive. This can come about through the embodied presence of both dancer and viewer, entering into a relationship grounded in intersubjectivity, without having to rely on symbolic signification. This thesis examines the placement of disabled bodies in dance performance from the intersecting perspectives of Critical Disability Studies, Performance Studies and Interpersonal Neurobiology in order to formulate a framework for theorizing perceptions of disability, the act of viewing dance and the impact of choreographic intent on viewers’ perceptions of physical difference. In the first section, the sociopolitical placing of disabled bodies in western society is interrogated and a historiological study of both disability identity and the emergence of integrated dance is critically analysed. The second section provides detailed analyses of three dance performances that are inclusive of dancers with physical disabilities: GIMP (2009), Heidi Latsky, Diagnosis of a Faun (2009) Tamar Rogoff, and water burns sun (2009) Petra Kuppers. Each represents a specific understanding of disability, creating an evolutionary framework for conceptualizing different perceptions of disabled bodies as either monstrous freak, heroic victim or corporeally diverse. The third section creates connections between new knowledge in interpersonal neurobiology and viewers' perceptions of disability that are activated through viewing dance performance, thus providing an understanding of the mechanisms of discrimination and marginalization of people who embody difference, as well as uncovering mechanisms that have the potential to be reparative. The application of neuroscientific knowledge to Performance Studies can be modulated and expanded by considering the interpersonal communicative dimension of dance performance that is inclusive of differing corporealities. A theoretical approach that encompasses the neuroscientific conceptualization of intersubjectivity in creating empathic attunement between viewer and dancer, can offer a means of understanding the innate potential of dance performance to bring about societal change.

1 Resume Legislation of disability and disability pension in the Czech Republic The purpose of my thesis is to analyse the Czech legislation of disability pension and its conditions of entitlement, and then to compare them with the situation in selected states in the European Union. I have chosen this particular topic, because a material security of disabled persons is an essential part of legislation in every developed country. This thesis is composed of seven chapters; each of them is divided into several subchapters. The first chapter characterises the pension scheme and its principles. There are explained the basic features of pension insurance, such as personal scope, period of insurance and financing. This chapter also lists benefits paid of pension insurance in the Czech Republic. The second chapter outlines the development of material security of disabled persons during previous centuries. It focuses on responsibility for persons unable to work, which has transferred from church to villages and later to state. Next chapter defines the term invalidity and points out several different looks at the concept of it. This chapter also includes the international definition formed by the World health organization. The chapter number four examines relevant Czech legislation. For entitlement to a disability...

Background Knee pain and related disability are important public health problems worldwide. In a systematic review, the prevalence of knee pain varied between 2.4% to 49.2% worldwide and disabilities were greater in those with knee pain compared to those without. The prevalence of knee pain may be higher in mountainous regions. The research student is from Nepal. He has a clinical interest in musculoskeletal disorders and had found at the time of the thesis that there had been no study undertaken across Nepal. Such a study would inform Nepalese health policy. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of knee pain and knee related disability, overall and in different ecological zones, of one region of Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional multistage cluster survey was undertaken using a questionnaire in Nepali delivered face to face to adults aged over 18 years in seven sites across the three ecological zones (plain, hilly and mountainous) of the Western Development Region of Nepal. Crude weighted and age standardised period and point prevalence rates of knee pain were estimated. The prevalence of disability was compared between those who had knee pain and those who did not have knee pain. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate potential independent risk factors for the prevalence of knee pain and knee pain related disability. Results In total 694 participants were recruited; 52.6% were women, the mean age was 41 years and 14.1% lived in the mountainous zone. The period prevalence of knee pain was 22.3% (95% CI 19.2% - 25.5%) and of chronic knee pain was 12.1% (95% CI 9.5 – 14.7%). The point prevalence was 7.6% (95% CI 5.7%-9.6%). Knee pain was higher in the mountainous zone compared to the plain zone. Overall 25.6% of the 694 participants had disability, as measured by the WHO DAS 2.0, and this was significantly higher in those with knee pain compared to those without (81.2% vs. 9.5%). Disability was highest among those with knee pain in the mountainous zone, with all having disability. Despite this only 54.8% of those with knee pain sought advice for their condition, those in the mountainous zone were less likely to seek advice, access hospital treatment or take oral medications. Conclusion Knee pain is highly prevalent in Nepal. Just under half who suffer do not access services for pain management, even though knee pain is associated with high levels of disability. Rates of knee pain are highest in the mountainous areas where access to services is lowest. This demonstration of unmet need, particularly in the poorest and most remote areas of the country, is of importance to policymakers who should focus on raising awareness and improving access to services.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 69-74). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

The ADA definition of disability reflects an historical shift from defining disability within the individual (the medical model) to constructing disability within the social environment (the socio-political or interactional model). Further, this shift reveals a movement away from paternalistic to empowering rehabilitation policies and service delivery systems. Similarly, academic programs in Rehabilitation are updating their undergraduate curriculum in ways that reflect changes that have taken place in public policy and service delivery related to disability, knowledge emerging from the field of disability studies, and a changing student demographic. Disability related rehabilitation research has not yet fully reflected this shift, and this has resulted in data and knowledge that are of limited utility. It has been well researched that negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities held by rehabilitation professionals will limit the scope of services generated and provided by professionals and, ultimately, have a detrimental effect on a successful rehabilitation process. Knowledge about the ways that undergraduate students conceptualize disability may illuminate the content and origin of positive and negative attitudes and beliefs.The present study was a phenomenological examination of the framework students employed in conceptualizing, understanding and making meaning of the concept of disability. The study utilized in-depth interviews and students' course assignments in order to answer the question, "How do undergraduate students in disability related majors construct disability?" Data revealed six common themes which were: participants had difficulty defining the category of disability; disability was understood as an individual problem, requiring special accommodations, assistance and services; there was an altruistic desire among participants to challenge stereotypes surrounding disability, alongside limited self-awareness of the application of stereotypes in their own construction of disability; the meaning of disability was a reflection of participants' own identities; Concepts of opportunity, restraint, power and privilege had limited relationship with disability; and, motivation for professional practice was related to a desire to help those who need assistance. Suggestions were made relating to the undergraduate curriculum and future research.

The notion of choice is emerging as fundamental to new approaches to the provision of housing for people with intellectual disabilities. Choice is raised as a central theme in debates about state-funding distribution practices, allocation priorities, location, design and model of new housing developments and the overall aims of disability policy. For its advocates, this ‘choice agenda’ counters paternalistic traditions within the welfare state by offering individuals with disability more choice of where, how and with whom they live, respected as self-determining individuals in society. For its critics, the choice agenda is a neoliberal policy strategy to decrease government funding and responsibility for the provision of welfare services. In between, choice could be dismissed as empty rhetoric. My thesis examines these interpretations, aiming to offer a more coherent and critical understanding of choice as a basis for theory, policy and practice in housing for people with intellectual disabilities. / Three main themes are considered, giving rise to a more critical conceptualization of choice. First, debates about civil-rights and redistribution are revisited and considered as sources from which competing discourses of choice emerge. Second, the individuality implied by choice is considered in light of the ‘community-care’ ethos. Third, an institutional perspective is applied to examine the role of ‘choice’ as a logic of practice within state administration. I examine these themes with a case study - housing for people with intellectual disabilities in the State of Victoria. Interviews were conducted with over fifty people, both users and providers of services in various positions and locations. Analysis explores the implications of the choice agenda on practices and decisions concerning the location and design of new housing developments, and on allocation of placements. The choice agenda has affected these practices in a way that reshapes the geography of housing for people with intellectual disabilities in Victoria.

M.Ed. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This thesis explored attachment in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). It investigated the role that attachment may have in presenting difficulties, including trauma symptoms, which has a growing body of literature, particularly in people without ID. Paper 1 describes a systematic review of the available literature relating to the psychological well-being of young people with ID in the UK who are 'looked after children' (LAC) or who live away from their birth families. Evidence suggests that both LAC and people with ID, may be vulnerable to developing mental health difficulties. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the psychological well-being of young people with ID who are LAC or who live away from birth families. 17 studies were reviewed, which ranged between 21% and 71% in quality as measured by the QATSDD (Sirriyeh, Lawton, Gardner, & Armitage, 2012). . Only one study was found that directly focused on the psychological well-being of LAC with an ID. The available studies offered some insights into the prevalence, characteristics of young people with ID who are LAC or who live away from their birth families and some of the psychological difficulties they encounter. However, given the methodological limitations of the included studies, no firm conclusions could be drawn. Paper 2 describes an empirical study that investigated the relationship between attachment security and trauma symptoms in adults with ID. 27 staff and service users participated in the research. Service user participants completed a self-report questionnaire regarding trauma symptoms with the researcher and staff participants provided demographic information and completed questionnaires that measured attachment security, trauma symptoms, depressive mood and traumatic events in relation to the service user. No relationship was found between attachment security and trauma symptoms. However, it provided tentative evidence with respect to the type of traumatic events experienced by people with ID and of the prevalence of mental health difficulties in people with ID. There were however several methodological limitations, including a small sample size. Implications for future research and clinical practice are outlined. Paper 3 provides a critical and personally reflective account of undertaking the systematic review and empirical study as outlined above. Strengths and limitations of the research are interwoven throughout. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are also considered.