The world has experienced a tremendous growth in its elderly population. With the aging of the population, policy makers are concerned about the health of these elderly as well as their utilization of health care and social services and perceived need for additional services. The Canadian elderly population is similar to other elderly populations in that a few tend to be the heaviest users of the available services. The predictors of this utilization behavior and perceived need primarily include need variables, such as the number of limitations of daily living -- both ADLs and IADLs, and functional limitations. In addition, enabling variables, such as income, work activity and geographic region of residence were also found to be significant.

No description available.

The accessibility, predictors, and use of health care and social services among developmentally disabled elderly adults in Canada were examined using a nationally representative social survey. The first research hypothesis is that the independent variables will contribute significantly to the prediction of the dependent variables. A second hypothesis is that the slope of any given independent variable will not equal zero. The results of this research show that the illness (need) variables are the most predictive correlate of the utilization of health care and social services. The predisposing variables have secondary explanatory power, with the enabling variables accounting for the least amount of variance. The hypotheses were tested by step-wise multiple regression analysis using SPSS-X.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-89). N.B.:Page 165 of Volume 2 missing from the original copy.

The problem of the physically handicapped and architectural barriers has been a growing international, national, and University concern. Handicapped citizens are frequently "walled out" of public buildings because of thoughtlessness of the design. The handicapped have the right of access to public buildings. Because Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public university, in fact and tradition, it has a responsibility to assure the accessibility of the campus to all who wish to use it. The first step in remedying the access problem at the university level would be to inventory the architectural barriers in the campus buildings and on the University site and access the current status of other factors effecting access at the University. The purpose of this study was to examine the problem of access and the handicapped at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University through these four research questions: 1. What was the current status of the problem of architectural barriers within the facilities of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University? 2. What was the extent of the activity, either proposed or in progress, for relieving the existing architectural barriers within Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University? 3. What was the extent of activity designed to prevent architectural barriers in future construction of University facilities? 4. What were the activities or programs which would be appropriate to provide for the removal of architectural barriers within current and future facilities of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University? The study developed the data to answer these questions through three research methods. First, an architectural survey form was developed from existing forms, architectural specifications, and related literature. This survey form was used to inventory the architectural barriers in fifty-one academic and administrative buildings on the University's main campus. The second method involved contacting handicapped students and staff in order to obtain their viewpoint concerning problems associated with access at the University. The contact was made by a mailed questionnaire and through personal interviews. The third method involved interviewing various members of the University administrative staff to determine the experience and perceptions of administrative staff concerning problems of access. Secondary purposes of these interviews were to determine if funds would be available to support the process of making the University accessible. It was found that the University was not generally accessible to handicapped persons. No building on the campus complied with current National or state access standards. No local organization or person had the responsibility to assure a barrier-free campus. Funds for removing campus barriers were non-existent and few discretionary funds could be used for this purpose. The single activity directed toward removal of architectural barriers on the campus was the development of an Ad Hoc Committee of the University Faculty Senate to study the problem. The study concluded with several recommendations in the areas of policy and architectural and site alterations. The primary implication for further research was directed toward defining the characteristics of Virginia's and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's handicapped population and to use this data to determine wny the University's handicapped population was so low. / Ed. D.

The master's thesis, "A Counselor Training Program in Massage to Increase Contact Between Counselor-Camper Pairs at Camp Koinonia," was implemented at Camp Koinonia a week during the 1983 spring academic quarter. Camp Koinonia, organized in 1977, is sponsored by the VT Recreation Program Area. The study first involved the design of a therapeutic massage training program for the counselors to administer to their multihandicapped campers. A behavioral observation instrument was designed to record the duration and frequency of intentional physical contact between counselor-camper pairs. The rationale for the study was that the training program would encourage healthy physical interaction between each pair, ·and make it easier for the counselor to initiate the physical contact necessary for tending to the camper's physical and emotional needs (i.e., especially in instances- where the counselor must shower, toilet and feed his camper). For experimental purposes there was one control group and one treatment group, the control group consisting of 5 female counselor-camper pairs, and 4 male pairs; the treatment group consisting of 5 male pairs and 5 female pairs. (The control group is short one pair due to attrition.) The experimental group received the treatment and the control group did not. An AB experimental design was used, with a pre-, mid- and post-test observation, the treatment given 3 times during the course of the week. The results were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively and although the researcher concluded that there were no significant differences between the two groups, important trends indicated that the experimental group did more in contact from pre- to posttest measurement periods. / M.S.

Thesis (MPhil (Rehabilitation))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African National Census (1996) reports a disability prevalence of 6,6% in South Africa. In November 1999 the government paid out 635 881 temporary or permanent disability grants. Legislation is in place to allow the Department of Social Services to administer the grants. For this study demographic information of disability grant recipients in a semi-rural area was sought in order to improve understanding of disability and to assist in service delivery. The study was executed in Kleinmond, a coastal town in the Western Cape with a population of 3 918, where 189 people reported a disability during the 1996 census. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the disability profile, caregiver utilization and needs of disability grant recipients in Kleinmond, Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS A descriptive survey was the study design of choice. The study population consisted of recipients of a permanent disability grant who collected their grants at the Kleinmond Post Office in June 1999. In order to capture the necessary information, a questionnaire was developed based on the disability catalogue of the International Classification of Impairment, Disability and Handicap (ICIDH) of the World Health Organisation. Pilot studies were conducted and the researcher interviewed 29 grantees during the main study in Kleinmond in June/July 1999. Repeatability of the questionnaire was tested. Ninety six percent of the responses were the same on the second visit to four randomly selected grantees. Data was analysed with the statistical software package STATISTICA. RESULTS The response rate was 90% (29/32). The mean age of the mainly male grantees was 42 years (range: 18 - 64). Most grantees were single, but the majority stayed with someone else. Ninety three percent (27/29) were unemployed while 69% (20/29) felt they were able to work. Most grantees took regular medication and the majority accessed health services at the primary level local clinic. Twenty five grantees (86%or 25/29) reported multiple disabilities, while one person did not fit into any of the categories. The most common disability category was situational disability (82% or 24/29). Nineteen persons with disabilities (66% or 19/29) relied on help which was mainly given by the parents. Assistance was needed with activities such as collecting the disability grant, shopping and managing money. With regard to needs of grantees, most found it important to have the clinic closer to their homes (52% or 15/29), to increase the amount of the disability grant (76% or 22/29) and to raise awareness of disability in the community (69% or 20/29). CONCLUSION Most disability grant recipients in this study reported problems in many of the seven disability categories of the ICIDH, i.e. multiple disabilities. This is consistent with the assumption that only severely disabled people qualify for a permanent disability grant in South Africa. This might explain why the majority of the grantees utilized a caregiver for some tasks. Needs with regard to health and social services of this defined group of persons with disabilities in Kleinmond will be brought to the attention of the authorities, who are planning a new community centre and clinic. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens die Nasionale Sensus opname van 1996 is die prevalensie van ongeskiktheid in Suid- Afrika 6.6%. Bevindinge dui aan dat 635881 individue 'n ongskiktheidstoelaag ontvang. Hierdie toelae word volgens wetgewing deur die Departement van Maatskaplike Dienste ge-administreer. In hierdie studie is demografiese inligting van individue wat 'n ongeskiktheidstoelaag ontvang ingesamel in 'n poging om insig in gestremdheid en dienslewering aan gestremdes te verbeter. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit individue wat 'n ongeskiktheidstoelaag in die Wes-Kaapse kusdorp Kleinmond ontvang. Kleinmond het 'n populasie van 3 918 waarvan 189 individue ongeskik is volgens die 1996 sensus. DOEL Die doel van die studie was om 'n ongesiktheidsprofiel van individue in Kleinmond te bepaal, asook te evalueer of hulle versorgers benodig het en om hulle behoeftes te bepaal. METODOLOGIE Daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n beskrywende studie. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit aile individue woonagtig in Kleinmond wat 'n permanente ongeskiktheidstoelaag ontvang het en dit by die poskantoor afgehaal het. Data is deur middel van 'n vraelys ingesamel. Die vraelys is gebaseer op die ongeskiktheids katalogus van die Internasionale Klassifikasie van Gebrek, Ongeskiktheid en Gestremdheid (ICIDH) van die Wereld Gesondheidsorganisasie. Die vraelys is getoets deur middel van loodsstudies. Die betroubaarheid van die vraelys is ook getoets deur tydens die navorsing dieselfde vrae tydens 'n tweede besoek aan vier kandidate te stel. Hierdie vier individue is ewekansig geselekteer en 96% van die response het ooreen gestem met die van die eerste besoek. Data is verkry van 29 individue gedurende Junie/Julie 1999. Data analise is met behulp van STATISTICA, 'n statistiese sagteware pakket, gedoen.RESULTATE Die responskoers was 90% (29/32). Die meerderheid van die studiepopulasie was manlik met 'n gemiddelde ouderdom van 42 jaar (rykwydte: 18 - 64). Individue was meerendeels ongetroud en het wonings met ander persone gedeel. Uit die studiepopulasie was 93% (27/29) individue werkloos. Van hierdie groep het 69% (20/29) egter gevoel dat hulle wei een of ander vorm van arbeid kan verrig. Bykans aile individue uit die studiepopulasie het gereeld medikasie gebruik. Die plaaslike prirnere gesondheids kliniek is deur die meeste individue benut vir gesondheidssorg. Meeste individue (86% of 25/29) het meer as een ongeskiktheid gehad en een persoon het nie in enige van die kateqoriee ingepas nie. Die ongeskiktheid wat die mees algemeenste voorgekom het was situasie-gebonde ongeskiktheid (82% of 24/29). Hulp is hoofsaaklik deur ouers verskaf en 66% individue (19/29) het van hulp gebruik gemaak. Hierdie hulp was meestal nodig met aktiwiteite soos die afhaal van die ongeskiktheidtoelaag, die doen van inkopies en die bestuur van persoonlike finansies. Die studiepopulasie het 3 groot behoeftes uitgespreek naamlik 'n kliniek nader aan hulle wonings (52% of 15/29), 'n verhoging in die ongeskiktheidstoelaag (76% of 22/29) en .n groter bewustheid van ongeskiktheid in die gemeenskap (69% of 20/29). Samevatting Baie van die individue uit die studiepopulasie het ongeskikthede in meer as een van die ongeskiktheidskategoriee aangedui. Hierdie bevinding is in ooreenstemming met die aanname dat in Suid-Afrika slegs individue met erge ongeskiktheid n ongeskiktheidstoelaag ontvang. Dit kan moontlik ook verklaar waarom die meerderheid van die populasie versorgers benodig het vir die uitvoer van sekere take. Die behoeftes van hierdie studiepopulasie sal onder die aandag van die plaaslike owerheid, wat tans besig is met die beplanning van 'n nuwe gemeensskapssentrum en kliniek, gebring word.

Thesis (MPhil (Rehabilitation))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite the ever increasing number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ethiopia and the resulting conditions of abject poverty, efforts made to curb the existing situation, thereby improving the lives and citizenry contributions of PWDs, has been minimal. Consequently, poverty and insufficient participation of PWDs continue to be the distinctive features characterizing the disability sector and movement in Ethiopia. This research was aimed at investigating the role, involvement and impact of PWDs and the Disability Rights Movement (DRM) in Ethiopia in realizing the effective inclusion of disability in the country‟s development agenda, with a specific focus on Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). A qualitative research paradigm, using a case study design, was employed as a research method in this study. Data were collected using two data collection methods; namely, key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Purposive sampling and snowballing techniques were used to select 44 people who participated in ten key informant interviews and three focus group discussions (each FGD attended by 8 to 10 participants). The researcher was flexible enough to conduct additional KIIs and FGDs until the data saturation point was reached. Semi-Structured Interview Guides were employed as data collection tools. A thematic content analysis was conducted following a systematic process of coding data and grouping codes into categories and emerging themes. The study was conducted in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Federation of Ethiopian National Associations for People with Disabilities (FENAPD) – the umbrella Disabled People Organization (DPO) in Ethiopia. The results of the study revealed that the disability movement in Ethiopia has not been active enough in ensuring the involvement of PWDs in the country‟s development endeavours. It was also reiterated that, even if the Ethiopian government was one of the first signatories of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the practical recognition that it has so far conferred to disability and PWDs in its development plans has been less than satisfactory. The study also underlined the fact that some recent progresses, such as the mentioning of disability in the currently under-review third PRSP document of Ethiopia, should be strengthened in order to pave the way for a more comprehensive inclusion of disability. Imminent challenges and opportunities facing the Ethiopian disability movement have also been explored in the study. It is hoped that the results of this study will provide the pertinent disability stakeholders in Ethiopia, including the government, with useful, timely and concrete research evidence, especially as Ethiopia is now engaged in a process of launching its latest PRSP documents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten spyte van die immer toenemende getal mense met gestremdhede (MMG's) in Etiopië en die gevolglike volslae armoede, is daar uiters min pogings aangewend om die bestaande situasie te bedwing en só die lewensgehalte en burgerskapbydraes van MMG's te verhoog. Gevolglik bly armoede en die ontoereikende deelname van MMG's eienskappe wat die gestremdheidsektor en -beweging in Etiopië kenmerk. Hierdie navorsing was daarop gemik om ‟n ondersoek te doen na die rol, betrokkenheid en invloed van MMG's en die Beweging vir die Regte van Gestremde Mense (BRGM) in Etiopië om gestremde mense doeltreffend by die land se ontwikkelingsagenda in te sluit, met spesifieke klem op Armoedeverligtingstrategieë (AVS'e). 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsparadigma, waartydens 'n gevallestudie gebruik is, was die navorsingsmetode van hierdie studie. Inligting is verkry deur twee data-insamelingsmetodes, naamlik onderhoude met belangrike segspersone (OBS'e) en fokusgroepbesprekings (FGB's). Doelgerigte seleksie en sneeubaltegnieke is gebruik om 44 mense te kies, wat toe aan 10 onderhoude met belangrike segspersone en 3 fokusgroepbesprekings deelgeneem het. (Elke FGB het uit 8 tot 10 deelnemers bestaan.) Die navorser was buigsaam genoeg om meer onderhoude en groepbesprekings te hou totdat die inligting 'n versadigingspunt bereik het. Semigestruktureerde onderhoudsriglyne is gebruik as instrument om die inligting in te samel. 'n Tematiese inhoudsontleding is gedoen ná 'n sistematiese proses om inligting te kodeer en kodes in kategorieë en duidelike temas te groepeer. Die studie is uitgevoer in Addis Abeba, die hoofstad van Etiopië, in samewerking met die Federasie van Etiopiese Nasionale Verenigings vir Mense met Gestremdhede (FENVMG) – die oorkoepelende organisasie vir gestremde mense in Etiopië. Die bevinding van hierdie studie is dat die gestremdheidsbeweging in Etiopië nie aktief genoeg is om die betrokkenheid van MMG's in die land se ontwikkelingsondernemings te verseker nie. Daar is ook bevestig dat, selfs al was die regering van Etiopië een van die eerste ondertekenaars van die Verenigde Nasies (VN) se Kongres oor die Regte van Mense met Gestremdhede (KRMG), die praktiese erkenning wat tot dusver aan gestremde mense in dié land se ontwikkelingsplanne gegee is, geensins bevredigend is nie. Die studie lê ook klem daarop dat onlangse vordering, soos dat gestremde mense genoem word in die derde AVS-dokument van Etiopië, wat tans hersien word, versterk behoort te word. Só kan die weg gebaan word vir 'n meer omvattende insluiting van gestremde mense. Naderende uitdagings en geleenthede wat die gestremdheidsbeweging in Etiopië sal moet aanpak, word ook in hierdie studie ondersoek.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sexuality education forms part of the life skills learning area. Sexuality education has become a means of providing the information learners need so they can prevent or protect themselves against abuse and violence including rape. It also helps young people to develop coping strategies in their social lives. However, the approach in schools to sexuality education does not cater for the needs of individuals with an intellectual disability. This study aims, therefore to explore whether these individuals (those with intellectual disability) are provided in other ways with information relating to sexuality education. The reason for selecting this group is that research has found that individuals with intellectual disability are more vulnerable to abuse, rape and violence. Hence, equipping them with skills on how to deal and cope with those societal dangers is essential. This study does not focus on those individuals with intellectual disability who are at school but focuses on those that are out of school in the community. A questionnaire is used to determine whether these individuals are adequately provided with sexuality education. The participants of this study are the health care workers chosen because they are the people who are supposed to be interacting on a regular basis with these individuals. They are the people who provide individuals with an intellectual disability with medication and treatment. The findings of the study are that individuals with intellectual disability are not provided with information on sexuality education. It is a challenge, therefore, to all the service providers to equip and empower these individuals with information on sexuality issues so they can cope with the societal pressures. The study also explores the health workers' perceptions of and experiences with individuals with an intellectual disability. The findings of the study are that the health care workers have different perceptions of individuals with intellectual disability on issues of sexuality. Most of their decisions are based on the individual's level of intellectual disability, especially with regard to issues such as the right to have children and the desirability of sterilisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Seksuele opvoeding vorm deel van die lewensvaardighede-leerarea. Seksuele opvoeding het 'n middel geword om kennis oor te dra aan leerders om hulle teen mishandeling en geweld, insluitende verkragting, te beskerm en te verhoed dat hulle daaraan blootgestel word. Dit rus jongmense ook toe om doeltreffender strategieë te ontwikkel vir hulle daaglikse verkeer met ander persone. Seksuele opvoeding op skool maak egter nie voorsiening vir persone met 'n intellektuele gestremdheid nie. Hierdie navorsingsprojek het dus ten doel om vas te stel of daar voorsiening gemaak word sodat hierdie persone (met 'n intellektuele gestremdheid) seksuele opvoeding op ander maniere kan bekom. Die rede waarom juis hierdie groep gekies word, is omdat navorsing getoon het dat persone met 'n intellektuele gestremdheid kwesbaarder is vir mishandeling, verkragting en geweld. Dit is noodsaaklik om hulle met vaardighede toe te rus om hierdie samelewingsgevare die hoof te bied. Hierdie navorsingsprojek fokus nie op persone wat op skool is nie, maar juis op dié wat in die gemeenskap is. 'n Vraelys word gebruik om vas te stel of hierdie persone voldoende seksuele opvoeding ontvang. Die deelnemers aan hierdie navorsingsprojek is gesondheidswerkers omdat hulle veronderstel is om op 'n gereelde grondslag met die betrokke individue in aanraking te kom. Húlle is die mense wat persone met intellektuele ongeskiktheid van medikasie en behandeling voorsien. Die bevindinge van hierdie projek is dat persone met intellektuele gestremdheid nie van seksuele opvoeding voorsien word nie. Dit is dus 'n uitdaging aan diensverskaffers om hierdie persone met kennis rakende kwessies oor seksualiteit toe te rus en te bemagtig sodat hulle groepsdruk beter kan hanteer. Die projek verken ook gesondheidswerkers se persepsies en ondervindinge aangaande persone met beperkte verstandelike vermoëns. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsingsprojek toon dat gesondheidswerkers uiteenlopende persepsies het van persone met beperkte verstandelike vermoëns rakende kwessies rondom seksualiteit. Die meeste van hulle sienings is gebaseer op die persoon se vlak van intellektuele gestremdheid, veral rondom sake soos die reg om kinders te hê en die wenslikheid van sterilisasie.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Cochlear implants are electronic devices implanted in the ear, which can give children with severe to profound hearing loss, access to sound and the opportunity to aquire spoken language. Such implants are achieved via a delicate surgical procedure, followed by an intensive rehabilitation program. Parents are intimately involved in this entire process and play a pivotal role in terms of decision-making, the surgery and the child’s language development. Research has shown that this procedure causes increased stress levels in parents, as well as an initial experience of mixed emotions. They also have to consider that some cochlear implants are not successful and thus do not provide all children with access to sound and the possibility of learning spoken language. Parents’ first contact with professional services/persons is generally doctors, ear, nose and throat specialists, audiologists, speech therapists and social workers. Further research shows that the relationship between such professionals and parents is not always satisfactory. As mothers often work closest with professionals, the following research questions arose: How do mothers experience the emotional support they receive during the diagnosis, implantation procedure and rehabilitation, and what are their emotional needs during this time? Because of a lack of literature concerning the role of educational psychologists in this process, a third question arose: What role can the educational psychologist play during the diagnosis of deafness and the cochlear implant process? The purpose of this generic qualitative study, therefore, was to analyze, describe and explain the experience of eight mothers of children with cochlear implants, with regard to support and support needs. The study was conducted within the interpretive paradigm, which guided the qualitative research design. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The interview data were transcribed and analyzed. The data analysis was done by using aspects of grounded theory. The findings show that mothers’ experiences of the process were unique, as the situation of each family differed. The eight mothers’ needs for emotional support also differed because of their unique experiences. Furthermore, a lack of support to parents after the rehabilitation process, just before children start primary school, was identified, and it was established that the educational psychologist can play a role in this phase and transition phases. Recommendations were made to improve the support mothers receive from professional services or people.