No Brasil, a Lei de Cotas determina uma reserva de vagas para as pessoas com deficiência nas iniciativas pública e privada. A inclusão das pessoas com deficiência opera-se em um universo de trabalho precarizado, no qual se impõe uma nova morfologia em que coexistem o modelo tayloriano-fordista e a flexibilidade toyotizada. Consoante o exposto, buscou-se compreender as vivências de trabalho da pessoa com deficiência e as repercussões à saúde. Para tanto, foi delineada uma pesquisa qualitativa de cunho exploratório, na forma de estudo de caso. Foram realizados grupos focais e entrevistas com pessoas com deficiência físicas e surdas. As deficiências físicas foram adquiridas, em alguns casos, em decorrência de acidentes de trabalho, fruto do trabalho inseguro e da perversidade do sistema que projeta o trabalhador à condição de pessoa com deficiência. Prevalece o discurso do trabalhador com deficiência não qualificado e busca-se incluir aquele que depende de poucas adaptações no ambiente e em suas atitudes. As exigências de qualificação profissional estão baseadas na ideologia da normalização que se efetiva em programas disciplinadores das condutas, organizadores da vida social. São exigências relativas à subjetividade, aos modos de existir, com ênfase na persistência e superação individuais. O controle sutil se opera por meio do discurso da inclusão e o trabalhador adquire a condição de reificado. Hoje o surdo fica limitado ao uso de seu principal modo de comunicação, as mãos, sob o discurso do surdo produtivo reproduzindo o isolamento cultural do povo surdo nas empresas. Os excluídos, disfarçados de incluídos, vivenciam o sofrimento relativo às injustiças sociais e às violências psicológicas. A sociedade precisa intervir na produção da dupla discriminação e no discurso da naturalização da desqualificação profissional da pessoa com deficiência. Os avanços em relação às políticas públicas brasileiras refletem a tentativa de reparação diante da dívida histórica da sociedade em relação à exclusão das pessoas com deficiência, no entanto, é necessário radicalizar-se na defesa dos direitos sociais, protetivos e inclusivos. / In Brazil, the Quota Law requires a reserve places for people with disabilities in the public and private sector. The inclusion of people with disabilities operates in a precarious working universe in which it imposes a new morphology that coexist the Taylorian - Fordista and toyotizada flexibility. Depending on the above, we sought to understand the person\'s work experiences with disability and the impact to health. For this, it was outlined a qualitative research of exploratory nature, in the form of case study. Focus groups and interviews with people with physical disabilities and deaf were performed. Physical impairments were acquired in some cases, due to accidents, the result of unsafe work and system perversity that projects the employee to the person\'s condition with disabilities. Prevails worker speech with unqualified disability and seeks to include one that depends on a few adjustments in the environment and attitudinal. The qualification requirements are based on the ideology of standardization that is effective in disciplining programs of pipelines and organizers of social life. Are requirements of subjectivity, the modes of existence, emphasizing the persistence and overcoming individual. The subtle control operates through discourse of inclusion and the employee acquires the reified condition. Today the deaf is limited to use their primary mode of communication, their hands, under the discourse of productive deaf reproducing the \"cultural isolation of deaf people\" in companies. The excluded, disguised as included, experience suffering on the social injustices and psychological violence Society needs to intervene in the production of double discrimination and the discourse of naturalization of skilling of people with disabilities. Advances in relation to the Brazilian public policies reflect the attempt to repair the front historic debt of the society in relation to the exclusion of people with disabilities, however it is necessary to radicalize the defense of social, protective and inclusive rights.

O objetivo do estudo é refletir sobre a história de um dispositivo de Educação Permanente construído no Programa Acompanhante da Saúde da Pessoa com Deficiência (APD) denominado Roda de Saberes. O Programa APD foi criado pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de São Paulo (SMS) em 2010com vinte equipes multiprofissionais distribuídas pelo município, através de parceria exclusiva, até 2014, com a Associação Saúde da Família, uma Organização Social, ou seja, instituição identificada a propósitos sociais. O objetivo do Programa é estimular a autonomia, aprimorar cuidados e fortalecer vínculos familiares de pessoas com deficiência intelectual. Ao ser contratado para supervisionar oito equipes do programa, este pesquisador buscou basear suas intervenções em formas democráticas de gestão em saúde, para promovê-las e facilitar o trabalho em equipe interdisciplinar. A Roda de Saberes nasce deste esforço inspirada pelas experiências francesas de clubes da Clínica de La Borde e Saint-Alban, pelos princípios do Apoio Paideia de Gastão Wagner Campos e pela Educação Permanente, que é a aprendizagem significativa através do trabalho, onde, nas organizações, o aprender e o ensinar se incorporam ao cotidiano da gestão. Neste sentido, pretendeu-se com esta dissertação pesquisar e refletir sobre as bases teóricas e a história da Roda de Saberes (entre 2010 e 2014) e assim favorecer outros processos de Educação Permanente. Para tanto se desenvolveu um Estudo de Caso cujo objetivo foi analisar a idealização e o desenvolvimento da proposta da Roda de Saberes através de diferentes abordagens: 1- Levantamento Bibliográfico; 2- Levantamento e análise de documentos e registros; 3- Identificação dos princípios facilitadores para a construção da Roda dos Saberes. Concluiu-se a necessidade de ações em Educação Permanente em Saúde tendo como base a eficácia das ações desenvolvidas na Roda de Saberes, observadas através da qualidade e intensidade da participação dos profissionais nos encontros e na mudança do perfil do trabalho cotidiano das equipes de saúde. Considera-se ainda que o método e o objetivo da ação devem estar eticamente alinhados. Como produto dessa análise propõe-se um folder que visa instigar àqueles interessados em Educação Permanente em Saúde, a refletir sobre os processos facilitadores dessa ação em serviço, em cinco aspectos ou fatores estratégicos, fruto da pesquisa: território, público alvo, trabalhadores, instituição e apoiador. / The objective is to reflect on the story of a Permanent Education device built in the Health Companion for People with Disability Program (APD), called Knowledge Wheel. The APD program was created by the City Department of Health of São Paulo (SMS) in 2010, with twenty multidisciplinary teams distributed by the county, through exclusive partnership, until 2014, with the Family Health Association, a Social Organization, meaning an institution identified with social purposes. The goal of the Program is to stimulate autonomy, improve care and strengthen family ties of people with intellectual disabilities. Permanent Education is learning, significantly, through work, where learning and teaching are incorporated into the daily life of organizations. This researcher was hired to oversee eight teams of the Program, and as so, sought to base his interventions in democratic management to promote them and facilitate interdisciplinary teamwork. The Knowledge Wheel was born of this effort inspired by French experiences of clubs from the Clinic of La Borde and Saint-Alban, the principles of the Paideia Support of Gastão Wagner Campos and the Permanent Education that is the meaningful learning through work, where learning and teaching are incorporated into the daily management of organizations. In this sense, with this dissertation, it was intended research and reflect on the theoretical foundations and on the history of Knowledge Wheel and thus encourages other processes of Permanent Education. For that was developed a case study which purpose was to analyze the ideation and development of the proposal of the Knowledge Wheel through different approaches: 1. Bibliographical Survey; 2 Survey and analysis of documents and records; 3- Identification of facilitators principles for its construction.The conclusion is the need for actions in Permanent Health Education based on the effectiveness of the actions developed in the Knowledge Wheel, observed through the quality and intensity of the participation of professionals in the meetings and changing the daily work of the profile of health teams. It is also considered that the method and the purpose of the action must be ethically aligned. As a product of this analysis it is proposed a brochure aimed to instigate those interested in Permanent Health Education, to reflect on the facilitating processes of this action in service in five aspects or strategic factors, the result of the research: territory, target group, workers, institution and Supporter.

Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2018-05-10T19:16:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Márcia Ionara Eichstadt Piovezani.pdf: 790982 bytes, checksum: 7855e186bba0869dfd38c02f765dded7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-10T19:16:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Márcia Ionara Eichstadt Piovezani.pdf: 790982 bytes, checksum: 7855e186bba0869dfd38c02f765dded7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-15 / This study aims to investigate whether elementary school teachers (1st to 5th year), the municipal PR Rattlesnake feel prepared to serve students with disabilities who arrive at school and as it happens, the perception of these teachers, the initial and continuing to work with these students. We started from the hypothesis of possible weakness in the training process of teachers who meet these. Thus, understanding education as cultural-historical process that, in the face of human diversity, the challenge is to ensure and provide quality education for all, we tried to study about the legal provisions which ensure the educational process of children with disabilities and issues the relevant policies of Special Education / Inclusive Education, bringing authors like Baptista (2006) and Pietro (2006). As a theoretical framework, the Historical-Cultural Psychology Vygotsky, brought to the fore the concepts of the teacher's role as mediator, the concept of social interaction and zone of proximal development. These concepts are closely linked to the object of study of this research, since they reveal the importance of the context in which subjects are included, as well as the need for initial and continuing teacher to act as a mediator of the development process and learning. The empirical part of the research is qualitative using interview data collection. Were heard eight teachers of three schools serving students with a disability included in their regular education classrooms, in order to examine the weaknesses and needs in the course of their work. The results show that given the complexity of the role of the teacher who works in Special Education / Inclusive Education, it was found that their formation is still a concern to respond to the diversity of these students, who demand specific referrals from this area. / Este estudo tem por objetivo investigar se os professores do Ensino Fundamental (1° ao 5° ano), da rede municipal de Cascavel PR sentem-se preparados para atender os alunos com deficiência que chegam à escola e como acontece, na percepção desses docentes, a formação inicial e continuada para trabalhar com esses alunos. Partiu-se da hipótese da possível fragilidade no processo de formação dos professores que atendem esses alunos com deficiência. Assim, compreendendo a educação como processo histórico-cultural que, diante da diversidade humana, tem o desafio de assegurar e oferecer ensino de qualidade para todos, buscou-se estudar acerca dos dispositivos legais e teóricos que asseguram o processo de escolarização de crianças com deficiência e questões pertinentes a políticas de Educação Especial/Educação Inclusiva, trazendo autores como Bueno (1999) Baptista (2006) e Pietro (2006). Como referencial teórico, a Psicologia Histórico-Cultural de Vygotsky, priorizando conceitos como: o papel do professor mediador, o conceito de interação social, mediação e zona de desenvolvimento proximal. Esses conceitos estão intimamente ligados ao objeto de estudo dessa pesquisa, uma vez que revelam a importância do contexto no qual os sujeitos estão inseridos, bem como, a necessidade da formação inicial e continuada do professor para que atue como agente mediador do processo de aprendizagem e desenvolvimento do aluno. A parte empírica da pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa utilizando-se da entrevista para coleta de dados. Foram ouvidos oito professores de três escolas que atendem estudantes com algum tipo de deficiência inseridos em suas salas de ensino regular, no intuito de verificar as fragilidades e necessidades no decorrer de sua atuação. Os resultados evidenciam que diante da complexidade da função do professor que trabalha na Educação Especial/Educação Inclusiva, constatou-se que sua formação constitui ainda uma preocupação para responder às diversidades desse alunado, que demanda encaminhamentos específicos dessa área.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:40:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sergio Martins Lopes.pdf: 3470672 bytes, checksum: 38a36cddffa90476c12c67cf6f5071b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-11 / The quality of life at work has been studied from different theoretical and methodological approaches, but always focused on understanding ways to bring satisfaction and well-being at worker. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and job satisfaction of people with disabilities included in employment programs. We sought to analyze the relationships between the dimensions of job satisfaction and quality of life domains. Adopting a quantitative approach, was used two questionnaires: Quality of Life Index (QLI) by Ferrans and Powers and Job SatisfactionQuestionnaireS20/23byMeliáandPeiro. 15 individuals with physical disabilities were assessed. The results showed that the average total quality of life index of the participants was 18.06(SD = 1.88), with scores ranging between13.30and21.26, the rating for the quality levels of the group presented a good quality. The mean total questionnaireS20/23 participants was 4.03(SD = 0.86), with scores ranging between 2.30 and 5.00 for job satisfaction, compared with the scale to the levels of satisfaction, the group showed a partial job satisfaction. When comparing the total score of the QLI and its domains with the total score of the questionnaire and its dimensions S20/23 results showed no correlations between its components. It is believed that these findings may stimulate research involving this issue and the results used as the basis for the development of a culture of improving the quality of life and job satisfaction of people with disabilities. / A qualidade de vida no trabalho tem sido estudada a partir de diferentes abordagens teóricas e metodológicas, mas sempre voltada em compreender maneiras de trazer satisfação e bem-estar ao trabalhador. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida e satisfação no trabalho de uma amostra de pessoas com deficiência inclusas no mercado de trabalho. Buscou-se analisar as relações entre as dimensões da satisfação no trabalho e os domínios da qualidade de vida. Adotando a abordagem quantitativa, o procedimento metodológico utilizado foi a aplicação dos questionários: Índice de Qualidade de Vida(IQV) de Ferrans e Powers e Questionário de Satisfação no TrabalhoS20/23 de Meliáe Peiró. Participaram 15 sujeitos com deficiência física. Os resultados mostraram que a média total do Índice de Qualidade de Vida dos participantes foi 18,06 (DP=1,88), com escores oscilando entre 13,30 e 21,26; na classificação para os níveis de qualidade o grupo apresentou uma boa qualidade. A média total do questionário S20/23 dos participantes foi 4,03 (DP=0,86), com escores oscilando entre 2,30 e 5,00 para a satisfação no trabalho; comparando com a escala para os níveis de satisfação, o grupo apresentou uma parcial satisfação no trabalho. Na comparação do escore total do IQV e seus domínios com o escore total do questionário S20/23 e suas dimensões os resultados não evidenciaram correlações entre seus componentes. Acredita-se que esses achados possam estimular pesquisas envolvendo esta temática, e os resultados empregados como base para o desenvolvimento de uma cultura de melhoria da qualidade de vida e satisfação no trabalho das pessoas com deficiência.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-03-22T12:22:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 paulamacielmouraodealencar.pdf: 1253022 bytes, checksum: 228d071d6f8e2d14543d2a983eb34f6b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-04-24T02:20:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 paulamacielmouraodealencar.pdf: 1253022 bytes, checksum: 228d071d6f8e2d14543d2a983eb34f6b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-24T02:20:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 paulamacielmouraodealencar.pdf: 1253022 bytes, checksum: 228d071d6f8e2d14543d2a983eb34f6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-27 / O presente trabalho analisa a política de inclusão no ensino superior da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), com enfoque na inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na instituição. A UFJF conta com uma Coordenação de Acessibilidade Educacional, Física e Informacional (CAEFI), que tem como proposta promover condições de acesso e permanência aos portadores de deficiência na instituição. Além disso, o CAEFI presta assessoria aos cursos de graduação e pós-graduação para que se adequem às exigências legais que regem as condições de acessibilidade destes alunos. A legislação determina que os cursos de formação de professores preparem os profissionais para atenderem aos alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais. Além destes, os servidores com deficiência também serão foco deste estudo. O objetivo principal desta dissertação é avaliar a acessibilidade física e pedagógica na UFJF, assim como propor melhorias nas condições de acessibilidade na instituição. Entre os objetivos específicos, o presente trabalho almeja discutir se as ações do CAEFI são eficientes e atendem às necessidades da instituição e de seus alunos e servidores com deficiência, e também as ações pedagógicas no órgão que visem a permitir a permanência dos estudantes portadores de necessidades especiais. Além destes, esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar a acessibilidade aos servidores com deficiência que ingressam na instituição. A dissertação está dividida em 3 capítulos, sendo que o capítulo 1 é descritivo, empreendendo um histórico sobre as políticas de inclusão no Brasil e no mundo, e também das políticas de inclusão da UFJF. O capítulo 2 traz a fundamentação teórica a respeito do tema da acessibilidade, baseando-se principalmente nos seguintes autores: Araújo e Hetkowski (s.d.), Beneti (2006), Censo Escolar de 2006 e de 2010, Delors (1999), Duarte (2009), Grisendi (2011), Manente (s.d.), Mansini e Bazon (s.d.), Mazzoni et al (2001), Reis (2010) e Souza (2010). Além disso, foi feita uma análise baseada em entrevistas realizadas com atores da UFJF envolvidos com a política de acessibilidade no âmbito da instituição, dentre os quais, temos um profissional de nível superior e especialista em infraestrutura, um gestor na área de acessibilidade e um docente especialista, além de alunos e servidores com deficiência. O capítulo 3, o plano de ação educacional (PAE), por sua vez, traz propostas de ações que visam à melhoria da acessibilidade física, pedagógica e atitudinal no âmbito da universidade. / The present dissertation analyses the policies on inclusion in higher education at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), highlighting the inclusion of special needs students in the institution. UFJF has a Coordination of Educational Physical and Attitude Accessibility (CAEFI), which proposes to promote conditions of access and permanence to special needs students at the institution. Moreover, CAEFI functions as a consultant for undergraduate and graduate programs so that they may follow the legal requirements regarding accessibility to those students. Legislation demands that teacher training programs prepare the new professionals to deal with special educational needs students. Besides those, university staff will also be included in the study. The main objective of this dissertation is to assess the physical and pedagogical accessibility of UFJF, as well as to propose improvement in the accessibility conditions of the institution. Among the specific objectives, the present study aims to discuss whether the actions undertaken by the CAEFI are enough and answer to the needs of the institution and their special needs students and staff , and also the pedagogical actions of the organ which aim to make it possible for the special needs students in the institution. Besides those, the dissertation aims to analyze the accessibility conditions offered to the university staff. The dissertation is divided into three chapters, in which the first one is descriptive, bringing a historical account of the policies of inclusion in Brazil and in the world, as well at the UFJF. The second chapter brings theoretical basis regarding the topic of accessibility, especially from the following authors: : Araújo and Hetkowski (s.d.), Beneti (2006), School Census from 2006 and 2010, Delors (1999), Duarte (2009), Grisendi (2011), Manente (s.d.), Mansini and Bazon (s.d.), Mazzoni et al (2001), Reis (2010) and Souza (2010). Moreover, we analyzed the interviews conducted with UFJF personnel involved with inclusion policies, among whom we have a tenured professor, an infrastructure expert, a school manager from the field of accessibility, a specialist teacher, besides special needs students and staff members. The third chapter, the educational action plan (PAE), brings proposals so as to improve the physical, educational and attitude accessibility at UFJF.

M.A. (Social Work) / In South Africa no scientific research has been carried out on the functions of national councils for disabled persons from a management orientated point of view. This dissertation deals with the functions of the five national councils for disabled persons, namely the councils for the blind, the deaf, the mentally handicapped, the physically handicapped and persons suffering from epilepsy. More specifically, the objectives of the research which preceded the writing of the dissertation were the following: to explore the functions of the five national councils for disabled persons. to construe the functions of the five national councils for disabled persons as management functions. to use Zetterberg's conceptual framework for scientific theorizing in an analysis of the functions. to determine how the status, objectives and functions of the aforementioned national councils may be made more purposeful. A literature study was undertaken to determine to what extent organisational and management theories are relevant to the national councils.

Over the past two decades, trends of integration processes in terms of citizens of different ethnicities, different gender and different sexual belongings, etc. has grown thanks to debates and new legislations. A marginalized and discriminated group in society such as women, immigrants, homosexuals, transsexuals and people with disabilities during this time has gained momentum in the community. The curiosity over whether these developments have changed our attitudes and values to the world around us, and if so how, is the reason for this master's thesis in disability studies. The Swedish development forms the basis for my belief on a younger generation of people who would be more tolerant than previous generations, in terms of what is considered to belong to the norm in our society, or not. The purpose of this study is therefore to increase knowledge about what beliefs young people today have about people with disabilities. The questions that the study is based on are: What does young people characterizes as a normal  or an abnormal human being? What thoughts do young people have about the people who deviate from the norm? What beliefs do they have regarding people with disabilities? To achieve the objective, the choice has fallen on a qualitative approach. Empirical data were collected through a focus group of four 18-year-olds, where they based on specific themes, have associated and discussed freely. For the processing and interpretation of the data collection, Moscovici (1984) theory of social representations has been used. By interpreting the focus groups discussions, the result shows that people with disabilities still are highly regarded and treated as people who should be "corrected" by the individual / medical model.

M.A. / This investigation aims to address and explore the experience of sibling head injury which appears to have been largely neglected in research. It seeks those themes, emotions and thoughts which are central and significant to the sibling's experience. it explores the manner in which the event of sibling head injury is incorporated into the adolescent's emerging identity, sense of self and understanding of the world. Overall, this research aims to provide some understanding of what the experience of living with a head-injured sibling entails and the personal meaning it holds for adolescent siblings. The existential-phenomenological system of inquiry is employed as a mode of research in an effort to study this experience of adolescent siblings of head-injured persons. Siblings are understood as beings-in-the-world who coconstitute their realities and interpret and act upon their own existence. Qualitative access to this subjective realm or individual lifeworld of siblings, is attempted through a qualitative design, where rich data is collected through in-depth, open-ended interviews which facilitate unique and personal descriptions. Eight siblings of an adolescent or young adult age, were sourced through Headway and interviewed for the purpose of this study. The 'Adolescent Coping Scale' was administered to gain further qualitative information which could be incorporated into a greater understanding of sibling coping under such circumstances. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, providing the database from which intraindividual analyses and discussions were conducted on each participant. Only three of the original eight participants were selected for the purposes of in-depth analysis and final inclusion in the study, for reasons of manageability and research size. These participants were selected on the basis of their rich and varied descriptions. The analyses rendered an understanding of each sibling's perceptions, cognitive conflicts and emotional experience, while an inter-individual analysis of the accounts permitted an exploration of contrasting themes and emerging patterns. An integration of the research data revealed the complexity and ambiguities inherent in the sibling experience of head injury, and the long-term nature of such a phenomenon. This phenomenon was found to be characterised by much change and feelings of loss, by a pervasive sense of helplessness accompanied by anger and depression, by feelings of abandonment and of being alone in their experience. Such themes confirmed many of those explicated in the literature review. However, the research findings also suggest a sense of being overwhelmed by threatening emotions, a strong reliance on avoidance coping, and a specific complexity inherent in the sibling experience, which creates a challenging experience which is long-term and for some, may be perceived as getting worse over time. The value of this research lies primarily in the neuropsychological field of family interventions and rehabilitation. It is hoped that the in-depth description of the experience of ado!escent siblings of head injury, presented here, can promote a greater understanding of this experience, and facilitate the establishment of appropriate interventions which focus on the provision of much-needed education and support. It is also hoped that this understanding can assist in raising awareness of the stressful and long-term nature of such a phenomenon, in schools and universities, among peers, facilitators, counsellors - those who have daily contact with adolescents. It is proposed that future research explores those aspects of the sibling experience which mediate its nature, dynamics and severity. Studies investigating the role played by race, culture and religion, gender and age, as well as those which focus on the long-term consequences of such a phenomenon, are likely to facilitate a deeper and more in-depth understanding of the experience of sibling head injury.

According to the recent Statistics South Africa (2007), there are 668 176 children with disability between 6 – 23 years old of which 337 660 are males and 330 516 females in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. This number consists of schoolchildren with visual, auditory, physical, mental, multiple and non- specified types of disabilities. However, there are limited research studies on the challenges around opportunities for children to participate in variety of sporting activities within the school settings. The purpose of this study was to provide a more accurate picture of the barriers against inclusion of students with disabilities in sports, among the identified Special Schools in the Amathole district, Eastern Cape. Data collection involved interviews, questionnaire and participant observation methods. Results showed that 87 percent of the students with disabilities participated in one sport or the other with male student participating more (92.2 percent than the female participants (86.7 percent). Overall, the participation rate was 86.7 percent. Further analysis of data revealed that 44 percent female and 41.5 percent male students agreed strongly that sporting activities are beneficial to their health. 7.1 percent of the sample indicated that their disability prevented them from sports participation. The reported main barriers towards sports participation include; lack of trained personnel; lack of adequate funding; lack of cooperation from parents and guardians and inadequate facilities and equipment. Although students with disabilities were using the limited resources at their disposal to participate in sports, they need support to sustain their efforts.

Using a combination of public institutional records and private personal records, this thesis explores how a newly emerging America constructed its ideas of physical disability in the era of the War for Independence. In the colonies, physical disability never stood alone as an independent category of difference, but was anchored in discourses of poverty and morality. However, the tumultuous events that occurred during the period 177 5 to 1818 forced this developing nation to confront physical disability to an extent that had not previously been required. The result was a conceptual and legislative shift, which caused the understanding of physical disability to be fundamentally redefined and become something identifiable in its own right. To analyse how, and why, this happened, this thesis looks at the public, cultural discourse of disability through this period, and examines the legal developments and the lived experiences that were occurring alongside it. By considering how disability was used in public commentaries to allegorise the split with Britain, it highlights the complicated environment and conceptual tumult which faced disabled Revolutionary War veterans on their return. Analysis of the trajectory of disability pension legislation suggests an infant nation testing the waters with early welfare programmes, often with limited success. However, these early initiatives were the progenitors of the first. national pension program. These developments created a distinct legal construction of disability that was seemingly at odds with the negative representation of disability in the public arena and, through medical and legal classifications, created a more formal platform for the conceptualisation of disability to emerge. To complement the institutional perspective, this thesis explores the lives of 523 disabled Revolutionary War veterans, using information they gave in their applications for a disability pension. This experiential approach expounds the ways in which disability was managed, how it shaped - and was shaped by - pre-existing expectations of gender roles, and how these experiences were often determined by class. Pertinent topics include family life, work life, and the ways in which veterans understood and employed their identities as disabled pensioners. Unlike the post-Civil War period a Revolutionary War disability never became the symbol of patriotism and bravery that the empty sleeve of the Civil War amputee did. Using the experiences of disabled former Revolutionary servicemen and contrasting this with the public discourse and national memory of the war, this thesis presents the reasons why this was the case.