Background The transition to adulthood is a time of information needs for youth living with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents. Access to information and being provided information may assist youth and their parents in making informed decisions. Youth with CP and parents of youth living with CP have reported lack of information as a challenge during the transition to adulthood. Little is known about the information needs of youth with CP and parents during the transition to adulthood from their perspective. Objectives and Methods The objective of this thesis was to explore the information needs of youth with CP and parents during the transition to adulthood. A scoping review was conducted seeking to understand what was known in the transition literature about the information needs of youth with CP and parents (Chapter 2). To clarify the methodological framework of this dissertation the application of interpretive description (ID) to a case study example within childhood disability research was explored (Chapter 3). The information needs during transition in a sample of young adults living with CP were explored using ID (Chapter 4). The information needs of parents of youth with CP currently in the transition to adulthood were then explored, using ID because it was learned in the study of adults living with CP that their parents initiated information seeking or had information needs of their own during transition (Chapter 5). Findings Primary findings from this dissertation include the recognition, from both the scoping review and the two studies, that both youth living with CP and parents of youth living with CP in the transition to adulthood have information needs during the transition to adulthood. More specifically, both youth and parents are seeking to receive information related to goals in adult life, such as employment, postsecondary education, leaving the family home and relationships. Youth prefer to receive their information from peers living with CP. Parents prefer to receive information from peers, but some also desire a direct connection with service providers. Other parents recommend adults living with CP as an information source. Youth and parents agree that information should be delivered in individualized tailored ways. In addition to rehabilitation professionals, youth and parents highlighted the need for information from educators and other community providers. Implications for Clinical Practice Rehabilitation professionals have an important role in helping to provide tailored information. Rehabilitation professionals can initiate conversations about the transition to adulthood around the beginning of high school that focus on improving the self-management of youth of their own transitional journey. In addition to having conversations with clients, rehabilitation professionals should also connect clients with community supports. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The purpose of this collective case study was to explore the ways in which piano teachers most effectively alter their curriculum to accommodate students with disabilities. Three piano teachers were recruited for this study and were interviewed about their education and teaching experiences. The interview questions used in this study were constructed to detail their educational background, specifically considering their background in special education, if any, and to describe specific ways in which they have accommodated students with disabilities. The questions also sought to discover how familiar they were with the resources available for accommodating students with disabilities. The participants mentioned several important factors in accommodating students with disabilities in piano lessons. Teacher-student collaboration was found to be essential in accommodating those with physical disabilities, while cognitive or behavioral disabilities seemed to have more complex solutions. Student interest and varying lesson pacing was noted to be particularly effective with students who had behavioral issues. According to the participants, physical disabilities were easiest to accommodate, while accommodations for students with behavioral or emotional disabilities required the most planning. The participants of this study found their preparation for special education from their higher education institutions particularly lacking. They stressed that although they received poor training for accommodating disabilities, there is no substitute for experience. Experience in teaching students with disabilities was shown to be the most helpful tool in making more informed decisions about their accommodations for these students.

Yes / There is a growing body of literature which marks out a feminist ethics of care and it is within this framework we understand transitions from primary to secondary school education can be challenging and care-less, especially for disabled children. By exploring the narratives of parents and professionals, we investigate transitions and self-identity, as a meaningful transition depends on the care-full spaces pupils inhabit. These education narratives are all in the context of privileging academic attainment and a culture of testing and examinations. Parents and professionals, as well as children are also surveyed. Until there are care-full education processes, marginalisation will remain, impacting on disabled children’s transition to secondary school and healthy identity construction. Moreover, if educational challenges are not addressed, their life chances are increasingly limited. Interdependent caring work enables engagement in a meaningful education and positive identity formation. In school and at home, care-full spaces are key in this process.

Distance learning is a fast-growing method of delivery in higher education. The literature about distance learning is rich with information about learning and course design. However, there is little information about the non-academic support services that universities can and should provide for distance students. This study addresses that gap in the literature by exploring the non-academic needs of distance learners. Students and faculty members involved with distance learning at four-year institutions in the Fall of 2000 were asked to identify what, if any, needs distance learners have outside the classroom. Specifically, an original web-based survey was designed to identify 34 possible non-academic needs. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of those needs in the success of distance learners, the accessibility of services to meet those needs, and when the needs present themselves to distance learners. Findings indicate that the non-academic needs of distance learners are very similar to those of campus-based students. The most important needs are basic: information about the institution and program, a way to purchase books, a contact person at the institution, and academic advising. More traditional developmental needs such as leadership development, experience with diversity, and career services were important to respondents pursuing Bachelors degrees. Services to meet the needs are currently not easily accessible. Most needs present themselves throughout a student's academic career. Institutions involved with distance learning should consider addressing basic needs first. If an institution targets a large number of students pursuing Bachelor degrees at a distance, they might also add services to meet more traditional developmental needs. / Ph. D.

The focus of this study was to examine the past educational experiences women entrepreneurs had that related to the operation of their businesses in an incubator setting. The study also examined educational needs not adequately addressed for women entrepreneurs in this setting. Data were gathered by participant interview methods using a qualitative research approach. Twenty subjects were selected for individual interviews. They were located through personal contact upon recommendation of the managers or executive directors of business incubator facilities. Interview questions addressed business, computer, oral and written communication, and general educational experiences related to their businesses as well as perceived educational needs. In addition, eight incubator managers where the subjects' businesses were located were also interviewed to determine their perceptions of the entrepreneurs' educational needs. Demographic information was obtained from the subjects as to age, previous business experience, educational experiences, degrees earned, professional certification, and other education. Their previous occupations as related to their present business enterprises were also obtained. Taped responses to the interview questions were transcribed, verified, and examined for similarities and differences. A profile of the 20 female entrepreneurs who had their businesses located in a business incubator facility emerged. They had a mean age of 43 years, had worked for a number of years before making the decision to go into their own businesses, and had diverse educational backgrounds ranging from high school graduation through the Ph.D. degree. Their business experiences varied widely. A common concern of the 20 subjects interviewed was lack of computer knowledge and experience. This concern surfaced regardless of prior course work completed. Also, development of additional accounting, communication, and marketing skills emerged as educational needs. Course structure of available courses was a concern. Courses offered on an intensive basis were needed. Further, the interviewees felt that considerable time could be saved by having course work and seminars taught on-site at the incubator facility. Coursework geared to small businesses so that the material and information obtained would have a direct application to their endeavors was desired. In addition, having a computer center within the incubator facility was identified as needed by the female entrepreneurs. / Ed. D.

Needs assessment plays a vital role in the field of instructional design. It is considered essential to determine whether instructional needs exist, and to then specify interventions appropriate for the context examined. This process involves the thoughtful analysis of the learner, the task, and the context. Despite the importance of this process, the literature appears to lack recent publications on needs assessment processes in international settings. Given the limited examination of the implementation of the needs assessment process within the context of different countries and cultures, a need exists for the development of a revised needs assessment model for use within international settings. Witkin and Altschuld (1995) have suggested a three-phase model for conducting needs assessments taking place in large organizational change and development contexts. This study attempts to describe the development and the validation process for the three-phase model that has been developed in the United States so that it may be adopted in an international context (Saudi Arabia). Using developmental research methods, the construction and validation of the model for the Saudi context occurred in three phases including: analysis, validation, and revision (Richeyand Klein, 2008). In phase one, a comprehensive overview of the literature was used as a theoretical foundation for developing the three-phase model. In phase two, formative evaluation of the model was conducted by two expert reviewers followed by an open-ended survey of practitioners and scholars in the instructional design field (N = 15). In phase three, the three-phase model was further revised and modified based on the results of the formative evaluation. Data analysis procedures followed qualitative methodologies. Triangulation of the findings from the literature review, expert review, and open-ended survey provided the validation for the three-phase model. As a result, a culturally-based model considering contextual, social, cultural, and political aspects was developed for the Saudi context. This model is proposed to enable instructional designers and developers in the Instructional Design field to better understand the local contextual and cultural factors prior to actual implementation of the needs assessment into the new country. Recommendations were given to practitioners choosing to use the culturally-based model in the Saudi context, and suggestions for future research were provided / Ph. D.

Organizations in the private and public sector provide employee training for different reasons and cover a variety of subject and skill areas. In some cases, training is provided without implementing the complete instructional design process, omitting the needs assessment and analysis step, which can result in less than desired training outcomes. Research details challenges that private and public sector organizations encounter related to needs assessments, along with the benefits of assessing needs prior to the design of a training program. This development study and research supports these details. As a part of this research, a needs assessment tool was designed to assist instructional designers and training managers gather key information to better determine if training is needed and to identify the best means for moving through the instructional design process. An expert review of the needs assessment tool validated the tool and provided feedback for further development of the tool. This study presents the challenges and benefits of identifying needs, describes the development of a needs assessment tool, analyzes and summarizes expert review and feedback, and suggests potential revisions to the tool. / Doctor of Philosophy / Organizations in the private and public sector provide employee training for different reasons and cover a variety of subject and skill areas. In some cases, training is provided without implementing the complete instructional design process. The complete instructional design process involves conducting a needs assessment, analyzing the needs assessment, designing a learning plan, developing the instruction based on the learning plan, implementing the instruction, and evaluating the instructional outcomes. When the first step, conducting the needs assessment is omitted, in some cases this may result in less than desired training outcomes. Research details challenges that private and public sector organizations encounter related to needs assessments, along with the benefits of assessing needs prior to the design of a training program. This development study and research supports these details. As a part of this research, a needs assessment tool was designed to assist training developers, instructional designers, and training managers gather key information to better determine if training is needed and to identify the best means for moving through the instructional design process. A group of individuals who work in the training and instructional design field, also referred to as expert reviewers, reviewed and validated the needs assessment tool and provided feedback for further development of the tool. This study presents the challenges and benefits of assessing needs, describes the development of a needs assessment tool, analyzes and summarizes the expert review and feedback, and suggests potential revisions to the tool.

The Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia is largely defined by its abundant water resources. These water resources are also a source of unique issues for the region. Specifically, water quality challenges related to the Chesapeake Bay and recurrent flooding are the major concerns. Green infrastructure (GI) has emerged in recent years as an alternative to traditional stormwater conveyance and detention focused systems. GI practices focus on integrating infiltration, evapotranspiration, and other components of the water cycle into more conventional stormwater management systems. These systems provide several positive benefits, including local water quality and quantity control, community revitalization, and various public health benefits. In addition, GI implementation has seen strong levels of support from the Cooperative Extension System, with Extension faculty and staff around the U.S. supporting local municipalities through GI research, promotion, and program development. Despite widespread interest, GI has been slow to be adopted due to various barriers to its implementation. This study sought to identify the major barriers to the implementation of GI practices in Hampton Roads by conducting a needs assessment. Municipal stormwater staff were invited to participate in an online survey aimed at identifying the most significant barriers in the region. At the same time, local staff with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) were interviewed to explore their potential to become involved in promoting GI adoption in Hampton Roads. Survey respondents and interview participants found common ground in identifying costs, funding, and maintenance issues as the most significant barriers to GI implementation in Hampton Roads. In addition, VCE staff were found to be well suited to support widespread GI adoption in the region, having familiarity with the GI concept and access to unique resources in the form of knowledgeable Master Gardener volunteers and connections to Virginia Tech. Recommendations for VCE involvement in promoting GI in Hampton Roads include conducting cost studies, developing and hosting maintenance training programs, and taking advantage of partnerships to identify and obtain funding from diverse sources. By focusing on these widely acknowledged challenges at the regional scale, VCE can support GI implementation throughout all of Hampton Roads. / Master of Science / Hampton Roads is a region with a history and economy tied to its local waters. Today, the region is facing significant challenges related to these waters, including frequent flooding impacts on residents and pollution control needs for the nearby Chesapeake Bay. Green infrastructure (GI), a relatively new approach to managing water in cities, could help local governments address these challenges. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), an organization formed through a partnership between federal and local governments and land grant universities in Virginia, seeks to meet community needs through community outreach and educational programs. As a community-centered organization with a history of advancing environmental education, VCE may also be an important partner for municipalities in Hampton Roads interested in adopting GI practices. To identify the barriers to GI in Hampton Roads and the potential role of VCE in addressing them, a needs assessment of municipalities in the region with stormwater permits was conducted. Based collected documents, surveys of municipal staff, and interviews with VCE personnel, three major barriers to GI adoption were identified. Permitted municipalities in Hampton Roads are uncertain of GI costs, have limited funds to support GI practices, and lack the knowledge and resources needed to maintain GI practices over time. VCE can help municipalities address these challenges using its many resources. Through its connection to Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, VCE can help in developing cost research studies for Hampton Roads. As an educational organization, VCE can also help municipalities win funding for GI projects that they would otherwise not have access to. Finally, local Virginia Tech faculty at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center and experienced Master Gardener volunteers can work to develop GI maintenance training resources for maintenance staff throughout the region. With its strong background, expert knowledge, and existing connections in the region, VCE can play an important role in addressing the GI adoption challenges in Hampton Roads.

The problem is to determine by questionnaire the extent to which a representative sampling of Texas high schools provide activities to meet pupil needs.

The purpose of this study is to make an investigation of the extent to which the community served by the South Junior High School of Waco, Texas, meets the recreational needs of its boys.