The purpose of our research study was to examine if there was a relationship between PA and functioning in adults with DS. Our research study had 17 adults with Down syndrome participate. The functional performance of participants were measured with the Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). After the testing session was completed, the physical activity of participants over seven days was measured. The main findings were that adults with DS had low levels of physical functioning and PA, and that physical functioning was associated with PA levels. Improving the functional profiles of adults with DS may aid these individuals in accumulating the amount of PA required for improving their health.

No description available.

The social enterprise ethos of prioritizing people over profits seems to align closely with disability-based organizations and their sister businesses created to provide vocational training and meaningful activity for clients. Rather than create a workplace tailored to a singular disability group, 541 Eatery & Exchange located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada aims to deliver on the restaurant’s mandate to ‘welcome everyone around the table’ by fostering a work environment, culture and practices that are attuned to the needs of a diverse population of disabled people as one group among a broader community of paid employees and volunteers. Through an ethnographic case study and interviews a detailed picture of the successes and limitations of this model emerges as the café balances the demands of addressing food insecurity in a socially and economically challenged neighbourhood while simultaneously providing opportunities to develop new capacities, foster new forms of social encounter and work experience for its paid staff and volunteers. As demonstrated by the restaurant, organizing a business around the collective goal of placing people first and meeting them where they’re at – geographically, but also in terms of their physical, mental, and emotional state on the given day – can create a space of care, dignity, and authentic human connection within which to work while addressing the needs of its community members. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

No description available.

From computer workstations to the world of the web, statutes and policies have afforded students with disabilities the right to participate in postsecondary education in a non-discriminatory manner. Automatic doors and adjustable tables are a commonplace on campuses and represent prime examples of accessible policy adherence, but what affect do accessible website design policies have on practice? The answer is monumental for the students with disabilities that rely on the integration of electronic curb cuts into institutional websites. In 2006, Illinois Board of Higher Education required public postsecondary institutions to develop and implement a website policy, report on the accessibility of their websites and continuously improve throughout the year. In response, multiple policies and practices were implemented throughout the state. As to how effective this requirement was and what variables influenced policy decision and implementation is the purpose of my study. Through a mixed method approach, I examined the relationship between web accessibility policy and practice. Quantitatively, descriptive statistics in conjunction with a paired t-Test were used to examine the amount of change in the accessibility pass and fail rates of all 12 Illinois postsecondary institutional homepages. In addition, quantitative data were used as a means to identify trends such as spikes and drops. Qualitatively, autoethnographic practices and document analysis were implemented to bring focus as to why these changes and trends might have occurred. By implementing this mixed methodological approach, I was able to identify a statistically significant change in the overall statewide pass rate. In addition, three prominent trends were discovered. The first was a spike trend where accessibility pass rates spiked just before deadlines. The second was a high standard, high accessibility rate where institutions that incorporated a high standard ended up being the most accessible of all the state institutions. The third was a low standard, high accessible illusion trend. Here, institutions incorporated a low standard then stopped accessibility development when the standard was met. This afforded institutions the opportunity to report a high pass rate when assessed with their low standard rather than a low pass rate against a more stringent standard. The implications of this study are many. Of paramount importance is that policy is not always incorporated into practice as it was intended. This is evident with the low standard, high accessible illusion trend. The intent of the policy in this study was for continuous improvement. However, when institutions reported 100% compliance to a low standard, they were also able to report that there was no need for improvement. Consequently, if a policy is to succeed, such behavior needs to be taken into consideration and appropriately addressed.

This study provides an analysis of how online fandom affordances are utilized in association with technological Twitter affordances in discussing disabled representation within the Marvel fandom. Associations were found via a quantitative content analysis of 292 tweets that discuss the Marvel fandom and disability identity. When individuals consume media, the media shapes their perspectives of themselves, others, and the world around them. Objects of fandom (often media) are no exception, meaning a fictional TV show can warp viewers' perspectives. When individuals discuss controversial perspectives that stem from an object of fandom via social media a unique environment is formed. In this environment, individuals discuss perspectives that have been impacted by the object of fandom by utilizing social media affordances and fandom affordances to shape and impact the perspectives of other users on the platform. However, there is little information on how Twitter affordances and fandom affordances work together to take part in this cycle. Thus, this study investigates how perspectives, surrounding minoritized disability identity representation, that stem from Marvel fandom media, utilize both fandom and Twitter affordances. It was found Twitter affordances employ fandom affordances in creating content that impacts perspectives. Results found certain Twitter affordances (1) worked in tandem with the fandom affordance of presenting multiple minoritized identities, (2) were associated with critiquing negative Western societal principles, and (3) worked hand-in-hand with the fandom affordance of creating a connection. This study, part of a unique area of focus, demonstrates the importance of Twitter affordances in utilizing fandom affordances to create content impacting perspectives about disability identity specific to Marvel media. Discussion of theoretical and practical implications for the correct representation of minoritized identities within media conclude the study.

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine the culture of students who are deaf and hard of hearing within the broader context of an inclusive high school, specifically as demonstrated though their learning experiences, socialization, and identity. The researcher gathered qualitative data in the form of observations, in-depth interviews, and participant video diary entries to gain insight into the shared cultural model of students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The data provided a holistic picture of cultural phenomena through the points of view of the subjects of the study. The description of the culture of this group of students may prove useful in shaping effective inclusive environments for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Current evidence-based literature regarding the experiences of siblings of children with disabilities acknowledges that siblings have diverse experiences and that it is unclear to what extent siblings are negatively impacted. (Emerson & Giallo, 2014; Giallo, Roberts, Emerson, Wood, & Gavidia-Payne, 2014; Goudie, Havercamp, Jamieson, & Sahr, 2013; Neely-Barnes & Graff, 2011). Yet the literature also emphasizes that a substantial portion of siblings experience emotional and social difficulties and are in need of clinical services that better address their challenges. The aim of this doctoral project is to create an evidence-based and theoretically grounded program that supports siblings through the use of telehealth. Telehealth has previously been used with youth, mostly to address chronic conditions, and demonstrated comparable, and sometimes superior, outcomes when using telehealth as opposed to face-to-face treatment (Dougherty, Lipman, Hyams, & Montgomery, 2014; Gettings, Franco, & Santosh, 2015; Letourneau et al., 2012). The objectives of Sib Kinnect, the proposed program, are to use telehealth to increase knowledge about disability, promote development of meaningful interests, improve coping and problem solving skills, and provide an enjoyable experience in which siblings can connect and learn from each other. The eight-week manual-guided program is designed for siblings, ages 10-12, of children with developmental disabilities and will include fun, age-appropriate activities and discussions that address the desired outcomes in a format that is enjoyable and engaging. In order for this program to be implemented, this project will also discuss important operational components such as the evaluation plan, information dissemination, staffing, and funding

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University / The State of Maine provides many opportunities for the education of physically handicapped children. There was no single source of these opportunities available. Since many people are in positions to refer such children, it seemed wise to procure information about these services; therefore, the purpose of this study is to survey through a questionnaire all available opportunities for physically handicapped children in the State of Maine, and to summarize the findings.

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