The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Objective: Evaluation of surgical quality ensures consistency of care and facilitates improvements in the quality of care delivered. Methods: An overview of surgical quality measurement is presented. A system for monitoring thoracic morbidity and mortality (TM&M) at the Ottawa Hospital is introduced and evaluated. Results of a needs assessment survey on the involvement in thoracic surgical research and quality improvement initiatives are presented. Results: Structure, process, and outcomes reflect different viewpoints on how to evaluate surgical quality. The feasibility of the TM&M system is evaluated using descriptive and univariate statistics, while its inter-rater reliability is assessed amongst the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons. Conclusions: Outcomes have been fundamental in the evaluation of surgical quality. TM&M classification system advocates for a practice of continuous quality improvement and provides standardized and reliable feedback on surgical outcomes. Results of the needs assessment have built a strong foundation of knowledge on prospective ways to enhance the monitoring of surgical quality.

This qualitative multi case research asks how the needs of caregivers of primary malignant brain tumour (PMBT) patients are met through structured neuro-oncology programs in Canadian centres. Utilizing telephone interviews with eleven social workers and one psychologist the study analyses their perspectives on the scope and nature of services to brain tumour patients and their caregivers. PMBT is a rare and palliative disease often with neurocognitive and neurobehavioral effects posing special challenges for caregivers. Health care system reliance on family caregivers has resulted in significant implications for their emotional and physical risk. Findings show exclusive patient focused health care in ambulatory programs with fragmented care resulting in marginalization and invisibility of caregivers. This approach is inconsistent with current literature promoting collaborative family centered care, recommended for continuity of care throughout the illness trajectory. Recommendations focus on systemic caregiver service improvements.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

The transitions experienced throughout adolescence and young adulthood are difficult, and can be even more challenging to navigate for youth living with developmental or mental health challenges. These youth commonly experience challenges in daily life, leading to difficulties participating in reciprocal relationships, experiencing good mental health, and establishing positive identity and self-esteem. Adventure-based therapies may be a milieu where youth can explore their identities, connect with nature, establish social relationships, and gain experiences overcoming a variety of challenges. This qualitative case study illuminated the experiences and identity development of youth who have participated in an adaptive recreation program in Victoria, British Colombia. Semi-structured interviews were held with five youth who have participated in the program, five parents of youth who have participated, and three staff involved in the development and delivery of the program. For the within-participant analysis, Rhodes’ (2000) ghostwriting approach was used to present youth participants’ stories of their involvement. Across-participant analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) steps of thematic analysis to discover some of the shared themes among participants. Participants described development of positive self-concepts and skills, the inclusive social environment and supportive staff, opportunities to try fun and unique activities, connecting with and learning about nature, overcoming personal challenges, and the importance of this program in the lives of the youth, their families, and their communities. The results have important implications for theory, research, and practice regarding counselling and community-based adaptive recreation programming. / Graduate

Studien undersökte hur arbetet inom den personalkooperativa verksamheten upplevdes av medlemmar och anställda, samt skillnaden dem emellan. I denna studie användes personalkooperativ för att det där ingår både medlemmar, som är ägare av kooperativet, och anställda. Syftet uppnåddes genom intervjuer där tre frågeställningar användes: vad upplevda erfarenheten är av att ingå i ett personalkooperativ, hur företagets handlingar stämmer överens med de aktuella kooperativens sju principer, samt hur deltagarna förhåller sig till Maslows behov.  Resultatet visade dels att möjligheten att själv kunna påverka arbetet var skälet till varför deltagarna valt att ingå i ett kooperativ. Dock angavs som negativt saknaden av en chef och den bristande ekonomin. Skillnaden mellan medlemmar och anställda framgick genom att medlemmarna fokuserade mer på verksamheten som helhet medan de anställda lade fokus på interaktionen mellan kollegor. Validiteten försvagades då urvalet skedde via målinriktat urval.

According to both national and international political regulations, the school should as far as it is possible include students with special needs in regular education. However, when implementing these political intentions regarding an including school environment, problems often arise. The aim of this studie has been to investigate the opinions of teachers and students when it comes to inclusive education in mathematics. The study has partly been based on interviews with students with special needs in mathematics. These students were included in regular mathematics groups. It has also partly been based on interviews with the teachers of these groups. To analyze the results, a phenomenographic approach has been used. By using this approach, it is the students and teachers’opinions that have been studied and the result is being presented in different categories of opinions.The result was many varying opinions regarding inclusive education and it thus showed how complex the work with students with special needs is. The teachers in the study had for example different opinions about what an inclusive approach to education is. The result showed various opinions among students and teachers about what possibilities and obstacles an inclusive approach to education has when it comes to how the students’ learning process.

Darbo tikslas - įvertinti pacientų, besilankančių pirminės sveikatos priežiūros įstaigose, elektroninių sveikatos paslaugų ir sveikatos informacijos poreikius. Metodika. Tyrimo metu buvo apklausti 307 pacientai, tyrimo vykdymo laikotarpiu lankęsi Kauno miesto pirminėse sveikatos priežiūros įstaigose. Tyrimo apklausai buvo sukurta originali anketa. Duomenų analizė buvo atlikta naudojant statistinį programinį paketą SPSS (15.0 versija). Hipotezėms tikrinti skaičiuotas chi kvadrato (χ2), z kriterijai. Tikrinant statistines hipotezes, naudoti šie statistinių išvadų reikšmingumo lygiai: p<0,001 (itin reikšminga), p<0,01 (labai reikšminga), p<0,05 (reikšminga). Logistinės regresijos metodas buvo taikomas siekiant išsiaiškinti vieno kintamojo priklausomybę nuo kitų kintamųjų. Rezultatai. 65,1 proc. iš visų apklaustųjų naudojasi internetu. Tačiau tik 28,0 proc. respondentų, besinaudojančių internetu, jau yra pasinaudoję galimybe gauti elektronines sveikatos paslaugas internetu. 91,0 proc. iš jų registravosi pas gydytoją internetu. Labiausiai pacientai norėtų registruotis pas gydytoją internetu (59,6 proc.), gauti siuntimą ar konsultaciją internetu (56,0 proc.), išsirašyti receptą nuotoliniu būdu (55,3 proc.), turėti elektroninį sveikatos įrašą (53,4 proc.). Elektronines sveikatos paslaugas internetu statistiškai reikšmingai dažniau norėtų gauti interneto vartotojai nei nesinaudojantys internetu tyrimo dalyviai (p<0,001). 84,4 proc. interneto vartotojų yra ieškoję internete sveikatos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of the study – to assess the patients‘from Primary Health Care Institutions needs of electronical health care service and health – related information. Methods. 307 patients, visiting Kaunas Primary Health Care Institutions during the period of reaseach, were interviewed. An original questionaire was created for the reaseach. The statistic analysis was performed using the SPSS (15.0 version) package. The hypothesis were checked by chi squared (χ2), z criteria. The statistic hypothesis was analysed using these levels of statistical importance: p<0.001 (etra- important), p<0.01 (very important), p<0.05 (important). Method of logistical regression was used to ascertain dependance of one variable from the others. Results. 65.1% of all interviewed use the Internet, but only 28.0% respondents, using the Internet, have already used the possibility to get electronical health care service on the Internet. 91.0% made the appointment by the Internet. Mostly patiens would want to make appointments by the Internet (59.6%), to get consultation or assigment to a doctor- specialist (56.0%), to get a prescription by remote way (55.3%), to get electronical health inscription (53.4%). Electronical health care service on line statistically more often would be significant to the users of the Internet (p<0.001). 84.4% of the internet users have already searched for information about health care services. One user has searched for information about aproximatelly 7.54 topics, concerning... [to full text]

This study was undertaken to determine if persons with disabilities encounter difficulties in accessing dental care in Ontario, to identify barriers to accessing dental care and to determine if persons with disabilities and caregivers value oral health. Community organizations providing supports for persons with disabilities were recruited to circulate a questionnaire to their members via mail or internet. Fourteen community organizations mailed out 1755 paper questionnaires. A response rate of 23.9% was calculated from original surveys returned. In total, 634 paper and internet surveys were deemed valid. Data analysis was conducted using the chi square test and logistic regression. Most (73.2%) persons with disabilities, primarily developmental disabilities, were able to access dental services in Ontario. Personal internal factors were more likely to act as barriers to dental care than external factors. The majority of caregivers and persons with disabilities believe that oral health is an important part of overall health.