Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2009. / Adviser: Dwight Kiel. Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-122).

This thesis examines one of the most important areas through which a state can affect the vitality of a minority language community: the use of minority languages in the public administration. The study begins with an examination of the European Union Framework with regard to the protection of minority languages in the light of the Treaty of Lisbon and the Charter of Nice. It analyses the relevant Council of Europe Treaties, and in particular the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in so far as they deal with the protection of minority languages in the public administration and public institutions. The thesis also assesses the CoE and EU Frameworks for the protection of minority languages. The national and regional legislation of Italy (Valle d’Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardinia and Sicily), Spain (Catalonia, Basque Autonomous Community, Navarra, Galicia, Balearic Islands and Valencia) and UK (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) are scrutinized to compare the different approaches adopted for the protection of minority languages. This analysis is focused on the crucial sectors of the public administration and public institutions which have both a high symbolic value and significant levels of inter-action with the minority language-speaking populations. The similarities and differences between the Italian, Spanish and the UK legislation in this field are examined, such gaps as exist between the aims of the legislation and reality are identified, as are the difficulties in the implementation of this form of legislation in the public administration.

No description available.

This study addresses the significance of residential integration for racial groups. It questions the meaning of multiculturalism and further the meaning of residential integration as a term used by scholars in association to multi-ethnic and multi-cultural communities. There are various viewpoints and assumptions among scholars that racial segregation is a social problem and therefore it can be solved through residential integration of racial minorities. This study will argue that there are disconnections of the assumed link between racial segregation and poverty. It also argues that residential integration, as a tool to provide equality and socio-economic resources for racial minorities is not a solution to the complexities of past racial discrimination. This study concludes, that residential integration fails to address the assumed goals of intermixing different racial groups because social, political and economic advantages cannot be accomplished merely through physical integration. / Department of Urban Planning

No description available.

This thesis is about the experience of Muslim British Pakistani families coping with thalassaemia (a chronic, inherited blood disorder) and the implications for service delivery. Its central concern is to illustrate that simplistic and culturally-biased assumptions are an unsatisfactory base on which to devise health service delivery for minority populations, and that with careful study it is possible to deliver culturally sensitive and appropriate services. The thesis is written in four parts. The first part contains the research methods and the clinical aspects of thalassaemia. It also provides an introduction to the families in the study. The British Pakistani population is considered in the context of migration to Britain, which has created a plural society requiring adaptations to services to meet the diverse health needs of the different ethnic minorities. The second part deals with the socio-economic and cultural background of British Pakistanis in Pakistan: this (is) crucial to an understanding of their present situation. Family dynamics, marriage patterns and decision-making processes are explored, as is the central role of religion and kinship networks in the lives of British Pakistanis. It also examines their settlement process and present living conditions and illustrates how the social structures prevalent in Pakistan have been re-established in England, albeit in a modified form. The third part documents, using case studies, the experiences of British Pakistani families with thalassaemic children. These are analysed to highlight deficiencies in health service delivery and areas where cultural misconceptions exist. These areas require attention to provide an effective genetic counselling service for this population. The final part examines the social and clinical implications of consanguineous marriage. It gives the results of a study showing increased frequency of consanguineous marriage among British Pakistanis than among Pakistanis in Pakistan. It then illustrates how kinship networks within communities practising this marriage pattern provide an opportunity to offer a genetic counselling service in a unique way, by making positive use of the practice. This proposed approach applies not only to thalassaemia but also to other inherited diseases.

No description available.

No description available.

Cognitive screening tools for dementia have often shown a cultural bias. Although in the preliminary stages of research, the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) (Storey, Rowland, Conforti, & Dickson, 2004) has recently shown promise. It obtains high sensitivities and specificities, does not appear susceptible to the effects of translation, and appears applicable in a multicultural setting. Therefore; the aim of the current research was to examine further the performance of the RUDAS in an ethnolinguistically diverse sample. Archival data consisting of scores on the RUDAS and on a comprehensive test battery was gathered from 64 neuropsychological referrals to an Australian health service from 2002-2006. The majority (83%) of these referrals were from a non-English speaking background and were tested in their preferred language. The RUDAS was found to be a fairly cohesive measure, and domain subscales were strongly correlated with corresponding scores on other neuropsychological tests indicating accurate performance. Although moderately predictive of diagnoses of dementia and cognitive decline (obtaining sensitivities of 71% and 62% respectively) the RUDAS lacked specificity, a finding which may be attributed to the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in the sample. The RUDAS fullscale score was found resilient to age, gender, English language proficiency and education effects; however subscale scores were differentially affected, perhaps indicating a tendency towards bias. Overall, this study suggests that the RUDAS is a useful screening instrument in an ethnolinguistically diverse clinical population. / Thesis (MPsychology)--University of South Australia, 2006.

Thesis (MGeront) -- University of South Australia, 1994.