CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Tecnologia assistiva à um recurso de acessibilidade para integrar a pessoa com deficiÃncia e amenizar prejuÃzos da exclusÃo. Materiais educativos acessÃveis aos cegos passÃveis de ser veiculados na rede web poderÃo aumentar sua independÃncia e autonomia. Nos Ãltimos anos, a inclusÃo digital constitui tema amplamente enfatizado em nÃvel educacional, no contexto social, trabalho e saÃde. As pessoas tÃm necessidade de se sentirem incluÃdas em qualquer ambiente, no intuito de interagir, comunicar-se, expressar-se e aceitar-se mutuamente. Estudo desenvolvido no LaboratÃrio de ComunicaÃÃo em SaÃde do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, com o objetivo de avaliar uma tecnologia assistiva para cegos na modalidade de literatura de cordel sobre aleitamento materno por meio do acesso a distÃncia para promoÃÃo da saÃde. Utilizou-se como referencial teÃrico-metodolÃgico o modelo de Pasquali (1999) concretizando o pÃlo teÃrico. Realizado de marÃo a setembro de 2009, teve como colaboradores trÃs juÃzes de cada especialidade: conteÃdo, literatura de cordel, aspectos pedagÃgicos e aspectos tÃcnicos. Para a coleta, adotou-se preenchimento de instrumento que avaliava questÃes referentes a conteÃdo, regras da literatura de cordel, acessibilidade do cego a esta tecnologia e sua utilizaÃÃo a distÃncia. AnÃlise feita mediante comparaÃÃes das anotaÃÃes dos juÃzes e reflexÃo crÃtica sobre as sugestÃes. Respeitaram-se os aspectos Ãticos segundo a ResoluÃÃo 196/96. A tecnologia recebeu ajustes apÃs avaliaÃÃes atà sua aprovaÃÃo. Enquanto os juÃzes de conteÃdo e de literatura de cordel fizeram duas avaliaÃÃes na perspectiva de melhorar o cordel, cujas consideraÃÃes foram inseridas no instrumento da prÃpria tecnologia, os juÃzes de aspectos pedagÃgicos (disponibilizaÃÃo da tecnologia a pessoa cega) avaliaram uma vez, visto sugerirem poucos ajustes. Nesta fase, uma das especialistas era cega, fato importante para o trabalho porque a tecnologia destina-se a esta populaÃÃo. Consideraram-se quase todos os itens plenamente adequados nesta Ãnica anÃlise. Os juÃzes de aspectos tÃcnicos (utilizaÃÃo desta tecnologia a distÃncia) fizeram somente uma avaliaÃÃo, pois, para segunda anÃlise, somente uma juÃza preencheu o instrumento. Conforme notou-se nesta etapa, eles relacionaram o estudo com a educaÃÃo a distÃncia, porÃm a pesquisa refere-se ao acesso a distÃncia para assimilar um conteÃdo em saÃde. Todas as contribuiÃÃes foram vÃlidas por subsidiarem e estimularem a aprendizagem, incentivando a autonomia. Portanto, a tecnologia està adequada e pode ser utilizada para a educaÃÃo em saÃde a distÃncia. Seu conteÃdo nÃo reflete nenhum tipo de discriminaÃÃo ou preconceito e a duraÃÃo do Ãudio està adequada. A construÃÃo de tecnologia assistiva deve ser submetida a anÃlise para sua validaÃÃo antes de ser disponibilizada ao pÃblico. Neste estudo, o pÃlo teÃrico, segundo modelo supracitado, foi entÃo realizado e os pÃlos empÃrico e analÃtico serÃo efetivados em estudo posterior. Para desenvolver tecnologias capazes de tornar o indivÃduo autÃnomo e saudÃvel e, com isso, promover a saÃde da populaÃÃo, o enfermeiro deve reconhecer demandas e necessidades da comunidade à qual assiste / Care technology is an accessibility resource to integrate disabled people and mitigate the harms of exclusion. Educative materials accessible to blind people that can be disseminated through the Internet can increase their independence and autonomy. In recent years, digital inclusion is widely emphasized in education, within the social, work and health context. People need to feel included in any environment, with a view to interacting, communicating, expressing themselves and feeling mutually accepted. This research was developed at the Health Communication Laboratory of the Nursing Department at the Federal University of CearÃ, Brazil. The goal was to assess a care technology for blind people, based on string literature about breastfeeding, using distance access for health promotion. Pasqualiâs model (1999) was used as a theoretical-methodological framework, concretizing the theoretical pole. The research was carried out from March to September 2009. Three experts in each specialty collaborated: content, string literature, pedagogical aspects and technical aspects. For data collection, an instrument was filled out that assessed questions related to content, rules of string literature, the blindâs accessibility to this technology and its distance use. The analysis involved comparing the expertsâ notes and critically reflecting on their suggestions. Ethical aspects were respected in compliance with Resolution 196/96. After assessments, the technology was adjusted until its final approval. While the content and string literature experts made two assessments from the perspective of improving the string, whose considerations were included into the technology instrument itself, the pedagogical aspect experts (availability of technology to blind people) made only one, as they suggested few adjustments. In that phase, one of the experts was blind, which was important for the research because the technology targets the blind population. Almost all items were considered totally adequate in the final analysis. Technical aspect experts (use of this technology at a distance) made only one assessment as, for a second analysis, only one expert filled out the instrument. As observed in this phase, they related the study with distance education, but the research refers to distance access to assimilate contents in health. All contributions were valid because they support and stimulate learning, encouraging autonomy. Therefore, the technology is adequate and can be used for distance health education. Its contents do not reflect any type of discrimination or prejudice and the duration of the audio is adequate. The construction of care technology should be submitted to analysis with a view to its validation before being put at the publicâs disposal. In this research, the theoretical pole, according to the abovementioned model, was carried out, while the empirical and analytical poles will be carried out in future research. To develop technologies that can make people autonomous and health and, thus, promote the populationâs health, nurses should recognize the demands and needs of the community they deliver care to.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP), developed by Dr. K. Lorig, on a population of persons with scleroderma. This particular condition is a type of arthritis (also known as progressive systemic sclerosis) involving a disorder of the small blood vessels and connective tissues. It is characterized by the induration and thickening of the skin and by inflammatory, fibrotic, ischemic, and degenerative changes in the tissues throughout the body. Eighteen people, most of which were female, in the Vancouver Lower Mainland with the diagnosis of scleroderma volunteered for this study. Quantitative and qualitative methodological orientations were used to collect and analyze the data. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest nonequivalent comparison group design was used. Self-administered, standardized questionnaires were distributed to a sample of subjects to collect the quantitative data, and a standardized open-ended interview questionnaire was used to collect the qualitative data. The quantitative questionnaire comprised research instruments including The Visual Analogue Pain Scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale, Cantril Quality of Life Scale, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, and Health Locus of Control Scale. The quantitative findings indicated that no statistically significant improvements in health status were found. However, clinically significant improvement trends in health status were found. The qualitative findings generally indicated that the experimental subjects enjoyed the ASMP, found it to increase their perceived level of coping with the management of scleroderma, and found the ASMP to be a positive learning experience. With the exception of the ASMP being limited in its specific application to people with scleroderma, it proved to be a feasible patient education course for these people. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

This diploma work analyzes two different approaches to "fight" poverty -- foreign development aid and self-help in communities. First part is concerned with international poverty and its dimensions. Second part concerns with ideas, background theories, goals and adverse effects of foreign aid. As an alternative to foreign aid, self-help in communities is analyzed in next part, with its advantages and shortcomings. The two approaches to development are tested on Kenya's example. Major task of this work is to compare the two concepts and try to decide which one conducts better in development. Outcome of this work suggests that foreign development aid fails to fulfill its goals and has many adverse effects on a recipient country (including Kenya). On the other hand, self-help has usually direct impact on conditions in which poor people are living, therefore is more effective in figthting poverty.

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The diploma thesis "Influence of state policy on cooperatives in the Czech Republic after 1989" examines the most significant changes that occurred in the evolution of cooperative ideas in Czechoslovakia, respectively Czech Republic after the revolution in 1989. It is solved the question of denial of cooperative principle, or mixing it with other forms of human activity. The work examines the phenomenon after 1989. It does so particularly in relation to institutional change and general context. It uses the particular methods of institutional analysis and discourse analysis. Work takes into account the main socio-political currents and paradigms that while legislative changes and changes in the concept of the moment was most reflected. Work is interested in neoliberal approach that was in our countries present in the nineties. Neoliberal approach is still actual in some of approaches and ideas. Following this is transferred to the applicable standards. This happens in the context of institutional transformation throughout society. At diploma it is important to compare the ideas and principles of cooperatives with the neoliberal approach. It tested the coexistence of neoliberal ideology and cooperatives.

A thesis submitted in lulfillment of the requirements for the degree of PHD Community Psychologv in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2001. / There is strong evidence showing the adverse effects of unemployment on social and psychological functioning as well as on physical health. With the present depressed economy, individuals will continue to be vulnerable to the harmful effects of retrenchment and unemployment. Such factors contribute to crime in our country. The South African community psychology movement is an attempt to take psychology to the people and empower communities, particularly historically and economically disadvantaged communities, through improved networking, education, health, social welfare and development projects which optimize local resources, resolve problems of the apartheid years and improve relationships within and between communities. A qualitative participatory action research approach to empowerment was utilized in this thesis. Mutual aid groups proved to be a successful empowering methodology to unemployed people in their own communities and their contexts. The contention of the present study is that qualitative research, with its value emphasis on capturing the diversity of respondents" experiences, its attention to the context of researched phenomena and its capacity to document the voices of historically marginalized communities, greatly facilitated the realization of these core values in our work with communities. The main finding in this study is that research and practice both benefit from a narrative approach that links process to practice and attends to the voices of the people of interest. Narrative theory an^ methods tend to open the field to a more inclusive attitude as to the data and to cross disciplinary insights as well as community collaboration. From the present study it becomes clear that culture tends to prescribe certain ways of acting which can be referred to as prescribed stories. The narrative approach used here does not claim that culturally prescribed stories are either good or bad, nor does it take a moral or evaluative position on the dominant narratives in communities Mutual aid group methods are found to be appropriate for those conducting action research and those concerned to "empower' research participants because the participants become an active part of the process of analysis. Group participants may actually develop particular perspectives as a consequence of talking with other people who have similar experiences. / The National Research Foundation

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture; and, (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-208). / Housing low-income groups, who cannot afford even the most minimal shelter, remains a dominant issue in most developing countries. However, all the solutions advanced so far depend on large investments, either by the Government or by the individuals concerned, which neither of them can afford. This thesis examines squatter settlements in Aurangi, Karachi (Pakistan) and identifies issues related to housing and the policies currently being implemented. The results of that investigation indicate that housing the low-income, given the economy and housing policies in most developing countries, can most effectively be realized by encouraging self-help methods. before self-help methods. can be realized construction techniques have to be simplified. This thesis proposes an alternate construction method which promises to simplify some of the building tasks in construction of low-rise dwellings, and hopes to reduce the overall material costs in construction. This method relies on using fabrics as formwork in construction. This formwork is used in making walls, beams, and domes. A cost comparison is made with the current construction techniques in the country and the proposed building strategy is found to be highly competitive. / by Javed Sultan. / M.S.

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