Background: In low- and middle-income countries, several environmental barriers impede accessibility to antenatal care (ANC) services for women with disabilities, yet ANC is a critical entry point for pregnant women to receive quality maternity care services. These barriers are more pronounced in rural areas than urban areas in Uganda. Although the World Health Organisation recommends that ANC services should be designed and continually improved based on locally generated data to address access barriers, the experiences of rural pregnant women with physical disabilities are largely undocumented. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of pregnant women with physical disabilities in accessing and utilising ANC services and suggest strategies for improving the services in rural south-western Uganda. Objectives: The study sought to: - describe the accessibility of ANC services - explain the utilisation of ANC services - explore the relationship between women with physical disabilities and health care providers - explore how women with physical disabilities and midwives understand disability and the provision of ANC services in rural south-western Uganda Methods: An interpretive qualitative study using a multiple case study design was conducted. Twelve women with physical disabilities and six midwives from three health facilities in Sheema district in south-western Uganda, East Africa, were selected as study participants. Women were sampled using snowball sampling. Midwives and health facilities (health centre III, health centre IV and general hospital) were sampled using purposive sampling. Data was gathered through in-depth face-to-face interviews with the women and midwives, a focus group discussion with the women, and direct observation of the physical environment at the three health facilities, from November 2020 to January 2021. Data was transcribed, translated, and thematically analysed with support of NVivo software. Ethical approval was obtained from University of Cape Town and Uganda National Council of Science and Technology, including a Risk Management Plan for preventing the transmission of Covid-19. Findings: Four themes were generated: 1. ‘Optimising wellbeing' was shaped by exercising agency, accessing family and community support, and aligning policy and practice. 2. ‘Undermining wellbeing' involved ignorance and mental ill-health (including emotional and spiritual oppression), sociocultural prohibitions, and inaccessible transport and mobility systems. 3. ‘Unresponsive ANC policy to women's specific needs' included the integrated nature of ANC services, unresponsive ANC policy, and unaccommodating health facility designs. 4. ‘Improving quality of ANC services' related to women's mixed experiences, preparing midwives and other health workers through education, training, and mentoring, and enabling disability inclusion for fit-for-purpose ANC services. Conclusion: Despite a few enablers optimising their wellbeing, rural pregnant women with physical disabilities experience many barriers that negatively impact on their pregnancy experiences and pregnancy health care. Women's spirituality is integral to their wellbeing. Justice, equity, and respect for their human dignity need to be underscored in ANC policy, health system and infrastructure planning, and midwifery education, training, and practice. The establishment of accessible quality ANC services within under-served areas benefits all women. The spirit of Ubuntu, which may facilitate women's participation and functioning at the family, community, and health facility levels, cannot be overemphasised. Going forward: An integrated framework for disability inclusive family- and communityfocused ANC services for rural communities is proposed. This framework needs to be tested to determine its efficacy in other rural African settings. A further study to explore the effectiveness of maternity waiting homes from the perspective of women with physical disabilities and the community in the context of rural Ugandan setting is suggested.

The aim of this study was to research how sexuality is managed within the Swedish care system, LSS, for people with physical disabilities. A literature review has been conducted, with the purpose of highlighting aspects that may affect the possibility to express sexuality for people with physical disabilities. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how sexuality is handled within the Swedish care system. The reason for aforementioned aspects have been to produce an understanding of functional as well as not functional aspects. The approach used in the study is social constructivism. To enhance the understanding of the approach two theories were applied: crip theory and sexual scripts. Results are presented in a series of themes that emerged during the processing of the empirical material. The results showed a lack of knowledge and a culture of silence on the subject of sexuality and physical disabilities. Furthermore, the results showed a de-sexualisation of people with disabilities, that arises from stigma, norms and morals. These aspects affected both professionals and people with disabilities within the Swedish LSS care system. From the empiric material it appeared that the obstacles stem from a lack of policies regarding how to approach sexuality, as well as norms and morals affecting both professional's decisions and management.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore socially constructed discursive barriers to physical activity for people with physical disabilities. This research was informed by a critical disability studies framework. Eight interviews were conducted, split between end-users and stakeholders. The end-user article discusses their perspectives with regard to their own PA participation, their use of PA resources, and their views of how disability is constructed. The stakeholder article deals with their views with regard to Canada’s progress in creating inclusive PA guidelines, the research process as it effects people with physical disabilities, and how disability is constructed. The results showed awareness among both groups of the social model of disability, but that the medical model is still firmly rooted. Work is needed to create inclusive promotional materials and disseminate them effectively. An effective advocacy and lobbying effort was suggested as one avenue towards a possible solution to this issue.

The current study set out to explore the affect and significance of differing parental conditions on the experiences commonly reported by young carers. Previous studies on young caring have reflected on the impacts of caring for parents with particular `types' of conditions (normally physical disability or mental health problems) or a specific diagnosis. However, these have not contrasted or discriminated young carers' experiences according to different parental conditions. To address this gap in knowledge, the current study considered the experiences of young carers supporting parents with different `types' of conditions, namely physical disability, mental health problems and substance misuse. The participants discussed the impact of caring on a range of areas such as their education, social life, health, spatial transitions, relationships and role reversals. Additionally, definitional issues were considered. This included young carers own understanding and subscription to the term `young carer' and the significance of this to their identification. In terms of methodology, the study was firmly grounded within the qualitative domain and influenced by a constructive-interpretive paradigm, specifically symbolic interactionism. Within this, the grounded theory approach was used insofar as it provided a method to conduct the study. A range of data-collection techniques were employed. Semi-structured interviewing was the principal method used, with additional data gathered through a self-esteem tool, observations and diaries. The sample consisted of 30 young carers. The results showed firstly that the participants did not necessarily comprehend the term `young carer' or apply it to their own caring roles at home. Arguably, this contributed to their `hidden-ness' (i. e. invisibility) and as a result their needs were overlooked. The need for a new definition which embraces their understandings, together with appropriate awareness-raising programmes within schools and for key social care and health professionals was evidenced and called for. Secondly, whilst the participants shared common experiences regardless of the nature of the parental condition, other issues reported were specific to particular situations. Those most adversely affected were caring in the contexts of parental substance misuse or parental mental health problems. Such young carers were dually disadvantaged, as they experienced the most extreme difficulties, yet their caring roles and needs were least likely to be addressed. The experiential differences reported by young carers in different caring contexts have important practice implications. Nevertheless, the extent to which the experiences reported could be wholly attributed to the caring role, rather than other structural and socio-economic factors was questionable.

Title: The use of music therapy for physically disabled Author: Bc. Jan Janyška Leading: Mgr. Barbara Valešová Malecová, Ph. D. Summary The thesis is trying to clarify the base of constantly developing discipline called music therapy, specifically music therapy for people with specific needs. In the introduction the psychological value of physical disability is mentioned with a focus on a cerebral palsy. The theoretical chapter is dealing with an impact of sound on a human body considering the music therapy. Practical part is focused on designing a music therapy plan which was subsequently applied in practice with physically disabled people. Key words Physical disability, cerebral palsy, sound, music, music therapy

Tanto a paralisia quanto a amputação são características corporais que tendem a resultar em estigma, ou seja, a mera percepção de sua existência pode depreciar a identidade social daquele que a tem. Entretanto, o surgimento de tecnologias prostéticas que habilitam amputados a competirem em nível olímpico contra pessoas sem deficiência tem produzido reações que contrariam a regra geral segundo a qual se evita expor aquilo que causa estigma. Mais do que isso, vem ganhando cada vez mais projeção midiática a imagem de amputados estereotipados como a realização do sonho do ciborgue: o corpo orgânico potencializado pela sua hibridação com sistemas cibernéticos. No bojo desse imaginário, a tecnologia do exoesqueleto robótico, derivada da indústria bélica, emerge como a solução que promete reestabelecer os movimentos de pessoas com lesão medular. Porém, a obsessão em encapsulá-los dentro de corpos robóticos supranumerários, em detrimento de outras tecnologias e terapias, parece muito mais motivada pelo simbolismo de um bipedismo simulado, que busca apagar a diferença entre os deficientes e os normais, do que pela reabilitação efetiva. A deficiência física e as tecnologias biocibernéticas de reconstrução e reabilitação corporais expõem não só a dimensão social irredutível do corpo, como também evidenciam que mesmo na mentalidade técnico-científica opera uma lógica simbólica, disfarçada nos recortes e classificações supostamente objetivos. Não é por acaso que a restauração do bipedismo em pessoas com paralisia tenha tanta afinidade com a imagem do milagre bíblico, pois o corpo-máquina, do qual a biocibernética é a evolução, e o corpo da cosmologia cristã, oriundo da Idade Média, não são completamente excludentes. De fato, apesar de constituírem sistemas de significação antagônicos, ambas as concepções de corpo compartilham as mesmas estruturas simbólicas inconscientes e, acima de tudo, atendem ao mesmo imperativo de dar sentido a uma realidade que a razão por si só não explica na sua totalidade. É sobre estes temas que esta tese procura refletir. / Both paralysis and amputation are body characteristics that tend to result in stigma, which means, in other words, that the mere perception of their existence may depreciate the social identity of those who have these traits. However, the emergence of prosthetic technologies enabling amputees to compete at the Olympic level against people without disabilities are provoking reactions that contradict the general rule pursuant to which one usually avoids exposing characteristics that cause stigma. Moreover, amputees stereotyped images have been increasingly reaching more media exposure as a cyborg dream that comes true: the organic body enhanced through its hybridization by means of cybernetic systems. In the midst of this imagery, the robotic exoskeleton technology derived from military industry emerges as a solution that promises to reestablish the movements of persons with spinal cord injuries. However, the obsession with their encapsulation inside supernumerary robotic bodies, to the detriment of other technologies and therapies, seems more driven by the symbolism of a simulated bipedalism, which aims to erase the differences between disabled and normal person, than actual rehabilitation. The physical disability and the bio-cybernetic technologies applied to the bodys rehabilitation and reconstruction, expose, not only the irreducible social dimension of the body, but also demonstrate that even the technical and scientific thinking operates under a symbolic logic, disguised under a presumably objective selective set of scopes and classifications. It is not a coincidence that bipedal restoration of persons with paralysis is close to the biblical miracle imagery, since the body-machine from which bio-cybernetics is the evolution, and the body of Christian cosmology rooted in the Middle Age, are not completely exclusionary. In fact, although they constitute antagonistic meaning systems, both concepts of the body share the same unconscious symbolic structures and, above all, they fulfill the same imperative of giving meaning to a reality that cannot be explained in its entirety only by reason. It is to this regard that this thesis will reflect.

Diploma Thesis - Stimulation of person with physical and multiple disabilities through Vojta's therapeutic concept - is about aplication of Vojta's reflex locomotion method at newborns and infants.The theoretical assessment is describing the development, basic principles and the use of this method. Vojta's special diagnosing will be also addressed. The next major chapter will be the description of muscular dystrophy and consisting of basic division, description of diagnosing principals and treatment. One chapter is dedicated to Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and its manifestation and difficulties with the diagnosis. Empirical data is being collected through a questionnaire which was given to parents with newborns and infants and will provide a complex vision analysis on Vojta's method and its application to newborn and infants born with physical and multiple disabilities.

Stroke är den vanligast förekommande sjukdomen i Sverige med cirka 30 000 insjuknanden per år. Ur ett svenskt och internationellt perspektiv är stroke den största orsaken till en icke medfödd funktionsnedsättning hos vuxna individer. Motorisk funktionsnedsättning efter stroke påverkar patienters förmåga att utföra aktiviteter i dagliga livet (ADL). Det inverkar på patienters upplevelse av livet och livskvalité. En begränsning av kroppskontroll medför även en förändrad relation till kroppen. År 2012 var cirka 20 procent av patienter beroende av stöd i ADL, tre månader efter insjuknandet i stroke. Studiens syfte är att beskriva upplevelser av påverkan på ADL hos strokepatienter med nedsatt motorisk funktion. Studien är en litteraturöversikt och bygger på kvalitetsgranskade kvalitativa primärkällor. Databaserna Cinahl och PubMed har använts för att identifiera vetenskapliga artiklar publicerade tidigast år 2000. Det resulterade i att nio kvalitativa artiklar med västerländskt ursprung inkluderades till studien. Fem teman framträdde ur artiklarna vilka utgör grunden för resultatet: upplevelse av att plötsligt drabbas av stroke, upplevelse av att vara isolerad, upplevelse av att vara beroende, upplevelse av otrygghet och upplevelse av förändrad identitet. Tidigare forskning bekräftar studiens resultat och beskriver insjuknandet i stroke via upplevelser av utsatthet och av att inte vara samma person. Forskningen lyfter även vikten att vara i ett betydelsefullt sammanhang. De negativa upplevelserna som patienter beskriver kan tänkas begränsas genom insatser från samhället och ett värdigt bemötande från sjuksköterskor med patienters livsvärld i fokus. / Program: Sjuksköterskeutbildning

Research has shown that people with physical disabilities are at risk for developing secondary health conditions. Many of these secondary health conditions may be reduced by engaging in physical activity, yet people with physical disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activity. Information gaps remain regarding facilitators and barriers to physical activity. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences with physical activity among adults with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Research questions asked were about exercise experiences, barriers and facilitators, and the role of the natural and social environment. The theoretical framework used was the theory of planned behavior, in which attitudes and perceived advantages and disadvantages to performing a behavior are considered. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 adults, 18 years of age and older, who have an SCI that requires the use of a wheelchair. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically by identifying key phrases, determining recurring phrases, and grouping codes into themes. NVivo, a qualitative software, aided in the analysis. The participants in this study faced many obstacles, including physical and social barriers. Despite these barriers, participants recognized the importance of physical activity and identified factors that encouraged exercise. The implications for positive social change from this research include a better understanding among healthcare professionals working with people with disabilities and disability advocates of the experiences people with an SCI have when exercising and the potential to minimize the barriers to physical activity in an effort to reduce related secondary health conditions.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic condition commonly known as Brittle Bones. The purpose of this study was to listen to and document the experiences of those with OI to investigate if there were barriers to inclusive education for students with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Persons with OI are often small in stature, have limited strength and varying degrees of mobility. Adventurous behaviour or everyday activities may result in fractures. Often in the world of disability the focus is on the medical condition rather than the personal experiences of those with the condition. This study provided an opportunity to articulate the personal experiences of the participants. In this study two specific aspects of educational experiences were examined. The first aspect explored was the way students managed physically within the educational setting, while the second aspect examined how students coped emotionally. Five major questions were used to determine if special education policies have affected the quality of inclusiveness for students with OI in New Zealand classrooms over a period of forty years. These questions examined what barriers exist in the past and whether the same barriers still exist within today's educational setting. The questions investigated what or who may be the cause of these barriers and what possible effects these barriers might have on the student The present situation was compared with the past and finally how might these barriers be overcome was investigated. This qualitative study focused on three individuals, each representing a different generation. The participants exemplified a particular phenomenon, specifically the daily school lives in New Zealand of those with OI. The difficulties these students faced were explored through semi-structured interviews to encourage the three participants to voice their individual experiences. All three participants gave freely of their thoughts in an articulate, thoughtful and open manner, sharing both their positive and unpleasant experiences. This study revealed that some New Zealand schools have yet to implement recent inclusive education policies set out by the Ministry of Education. The three participants identified barriers to inclusive education from their own personal perspectives. The physical environment of school presented challenges. Distance between classrooms and assembly halls and accessibility to the playground, ramps and toilet facilities created difficulties for students with OI who did not walk independently. Attitudes of parents, teachers, and the wider school community impacted on the self-attitude of students with OI. Over-protection, fear and anxiety were identified as unintentional attitudes that placed limitations on participation of meaningful activities and added to student feelings of isolation and difference. Lack of knowledge of the medical and psychosocial aspects of students with OI could account for the continued barriers imposed by some teachers. Barriers do still exist in some New Zealand schools for students with osteogenesis imperfecta. Improved access could result in more participation. More participation could allow for an improved quality of social interaction and thus result in greater focus on the person and less focus on the disability. Collaboration between all school staff, parents and students with OI is essential to minimise barriers and maximise academic and social opportunities.