This investigation studied the degree of spatial data that could be perceived by subjects, through the use of echolocation, who were led through an indoor environment and verbally reported their spatial perceptions. The experimental group was composed of 5 totally blind and severely visually impaired subjects and the control group had 11 sighted subjects who were under blindfold. Each subject was led through the space, using the sighted guide technique, and the subject would click a clicker and attempt to perceive spatial data through echolocation. The space had 25 preselected reference points in it, and the experimental subjects averaged 20.2 correct responses and the control subjects 7.727 for an overall mean of 11.3125. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore self-determination in daily life and external programs for youth with visual impairments. To achieve this, the researcher explored three areas that contribute to the development of self-determination based on Wehmeyer’s Functional Theory of Self-determination: capacity, opportunities, and support. All participants in this study participated in Cane Quest, an external program specifically designed for youth with visual impairments. Cane Quest is a long cane competition for youth with visual impairments. These youth independently complete on a route using their orientation and mobility skills while navigating through complex environments such as residential areas, commercial areas, stores, buses, and a college campus. Data were collected through individual interviews, focus group sessions, and document collection. The phenomenological approach was used to analyze the data. Results suggest that youth with visual impairments are facing barriers to capacity, opportunities, and appropriate support in their daily lives. The finding also identified that external programs, like Cane Quest, can provide opportunities and appropriate support for youth with visual impairments to practice and develop self-determination skills. External programs, such as Cane Quest, can be beneficial for youth with visual impairments by filling in some of the gaps that may be occurring in their daily lives.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of back and seat rest inclination on the kinematics of manual hand-rim wheelchair propulsion in subjects with spastic type cerebral palsy. Subjects ranged in age from nine to twenty-one and were classified as USCPAA Class III or IV functional ability. Subjects were required to propel a standardized wheelchair at six seat positions from combinations of back rest angles of 0, 3 and -5 degrees from vertical and thigh angles of 0 and 5 degrees from horizontal. Combinations of thigh/seat rest angles were 0/-5, 5/-5, 5/0, 5/3, 0/3, 0/0 constituting the six different conditions. Subjects were filmed while wheeling in each seat position. Wheeling was performed at two and three kilometers per hour on a low friction roller system. It was hypothesized that since individuals with spastic type cerebral palsy have improved functional upper extremity performance as the body center of mass is positioned over the ischial tuberocities and hip flexion angle is maintained at 90 degrees (0/0), that similar results would be found in wheelchair propulsion. Based on the results of kinematic data analyzed in this study there was no indication that the 0/0 seat position was superior for subjects with cerebral palsy under the conditions of this study. Larger elbow flexion/extension range of motion (p = .06) exhibited by the 5/3 and 5/0 seat orientations suggests that these positions provide a more effective wheelchair propulsion orientation for subjects in this study. / Graduation date: 1996

To understand how falls occur during walking in older adults, we need to understand how the nervous system maintains stability, and how aging affects walking. Four studies were conducted to better understand the effect of age on gait. Older adults display higher gait variability compared to young adults, possibly because of their slower walking. We compared gait stability at multiple controlled walking speeds. Greater gait variability in healthy elderly existed independent of slower walking. Their diminished strength and flexibility partly explained this difference. To explain slower walking in the elderly, some have suggested that muscle weakness and stiffness may force people to walk slower. Others have suggested that people choose to walk slower to be more stable. We compared dynamic stability of gait at multiple speeds. Healthy older adults also exhibited more stability at slower speeds, yet walked at speeds comparable to young adults despite the lower strength and flexibility. Therefore, weakness and stiffness may not force healthy older adults to walk slower. The goal of the nervous system during walking may be to maintain stability of superior segments. We tested whether superior segments are more stable than inferior segments during walking. Superior segments exhibited less orbital stability during preferred walking speed, in contrast to previous suggestions. This highlighted the importance of trunk control during gait. The effects of aging on the fluctuations in the muscle activity during gait are not well understood. We quantified the stride-to-stride fluctuations of EMG as a measure of muscle activation patterns in state-space. Variability increased with speed except in the gastrocnemius. Orbital stability was less in older adults, suggesting that deviations in the EMG amplitude pattern were not readily corrected. Less local stability was seen in older adults, suggesting that older adults were more sensitive to perturbations. Together, these findings suggest that trunk control is important during gait. Strength and flexibility deficits help explain higher variability and lower stability in older adults. Future work will need to address the effect of strength interventions, neurophysiological decline on gait stability and fall risk.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

nÃo hà / O presente estudo trata da aprendizagem dos conceitos de triÃngulos, quadrilÃteros e simetria por alunos cegos congÃnitos, incluÃdos em escolas regulares. Refere-se, portanto, a formaÃÃo de conceitos geomÃtricos por sujeitos cegos, processo diferente daquele vivenciado por alunos videntes, jà que os primeiros nÃo veem as imagens que representam as figuras geomÃtricas, uma vez que a Geometria Plana apresentada em salas de aulas de escolas regulares foca a visualizaÃÃo de figuras planas como uma maneira de compreensÃo de conteÃdos. à preciso pensar caminhos alternativos para o ensino para cegos, em funÃÃo das possibilidades que estes apresentam. Um caminho possÃvel refere-se ao mÃtodo GEUmetria, o qual propÃe o uso de tÃcnicas de OrientaÃÃo e Mobilidade no ensino de geometria. Como motivaÃÃo desse mÃtodo utilizou-se a confecÃÃo de maquetes apÃs aulas de OrientaÃÃo e Mobilidade. Vygotsky foi utilizado como referencial teÃrico na busca pela compreensÃo da formaÃÃo de conceitos. Como categoria de anÃlise utilizou-se o mÃtodo Van Hiele de ensino de geometria. Foram estudados cinco sujeitos em Fortaleza â CE, durante o ano de 2008, alunos de escolas regulares, sendo trÃs do Ensino Fundamental e dois do Ensino MÃdio. Foram analisados os conhecimentos prÃvios dos discentes antes da introduÃÃo do GEUmetria e cada discente teve seu desempenho comparado consigo. Observou-se que o mÃtodo GEUmetria funcionou de modo eficiente em quatro sujeitos, o que permitiu uma estruturaÃÃo desse mÃtodo para ser aplicado por outros docentes de OM ou de reforÃo de MatemÃtica de alunos com deficiÃncia visual. Como propostas futuras, analisar a compreensÃo de conceitos na Trigonometria / The present study it deals with the learning of the concepts of triangles, quadrilaterals and symmetry for congenital, enclosed blind pupils in regular schools. It is mentioned, therefore, the formation of geometric concepts for blind citizens, different process of that one lived deeply by donât blind pupils, since the first ones do not see the images that represent the geometric figures, a time that Plain Geometry presented in classrooms of regular schools to want the visualization of plain figures as a way of understanding of contents. She is necessary to think alternative ways for education for blind people, in function of the possibilities that these present. A possible way mentions the GEUmetria method to it, which considers the use of techniques of Orientation and Mobility in the geometry education. As motivation of this method it was used after confection of mockups lessons of Orientation and Mobility. Vygotsky was used as referential theoretician in the search for the understanding of the formation of concepts. As category of analysis the method was used Van Hiele of geometry education. Five citizens in Fortaleza - CE had been studied, during the year of 2008, pupils of regular schools, being three of Basic Teach and two of Average Teach. The previous knowledge of the learning before the introduction of the GEUmetria had been analyzed and each learning had its comparative performance obtains. It was observed that the GEUmetria method functioned in efficient way in four citizens, what allowed of this method to be applied by other professors of MAC or reinforcement of mathematics of pupils with visual deficiency. As future proposals, to analyze the understanding of concepts in Trigonometry

Thesis (MSportwet)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Proprioception is generally defined as the sense of position and movement of the limbs. The sense arises through activity in sensory neurons located in skin, muscles and joint tissues. Joint proprioception provides the neurological feedback needed for the control of muscle actions, and serves as protection against excessive strain on passive joints. The rationale for this study was that if proprioception improves, functional balance will improve. Improvements in functional balance will contribute to improvements in functional skills. An improvement in functional skills can decrease dependence on others, which in turn w\could increase quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a proprioceptive training programme, using only low technology apparatus, on the proprioception and functional balance of older adults. Twenty-five older adults (M = 73.1 years) were assigned to either a control (n = 10) or intervention group (n = 15). The Berg Balance Scale was used for assessment of the functional balance of the participants, while the Harrison’s Recovery Test was used to assess proprioception. The intervention group was placed on an eight-week proprioceptive training programme consisting of three, twenty-minute sessions a week. Using paired and unpaired t-tests for the statistical analysis, significant improvements were observed in the intervention group for both proprioception and functional balance (p<0.05). It was concluded that the proprioception and functional balance of older adults could be significantly improved with a proprioceptive programme using only low technology apparatus. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Propriosepsie kan gedefinieer word as die liggaam se vermoë om die posisie en die beweging van die afsonderlike liggaamsdele waar te neem. Dit vind plaas deur die registrering van die aktiwiteit van sensoriese neurone wat in die vel, spiere en die sagte weefsel van die gewrigte is. Die neurologiese terugvoer wat noodsaaklik is vir die doeltreffende beheer van spieraksies, is afkomstig van die proprioreseptore in die gewrigte. Dit is as gevolg van hierdie neurologiese terugvoer, dat propriosepsie dien as beskermingsmeganisme teen oormatige stremming op die liggaam se gewrigte. Die beginsel van hierdie studie was dat as propriosepsie verbeter, dit sal lei tot verbeteringe in funksionele balans. Verbetering in funksionele balans sal weer lei tot verbeteringe in funksionele vaardighede. Dit is heel moontlik dat verbetering in funksionele vaardighede ‘n persoon minder afhanklik sal maak van ander. Hoe meer onafhanklik ‘n mens van ander is hoe beter is jou lewenskwaliteit, aangesien jy baie meer dinge kan ervaar en doen. Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of ‘n propriosepsie inoefenings program, wat slegs van lae tegnologiese apparaat gebruik maak, suksesvol gebruik kan word om die propriosepsie en ook die funksionele balans van ouer volwassenes te verbeter. Vyfen- twintig ouer volwassenes (M = 73.1 jaar) het deelgeneem aan die studie en was òf deel van die kontrole group (n = 10) òf van die oefen groep (n = 15). Funksionele balans is gemeet deur van die “Berg Balance Scale” gebruik te maak, terwyl die “Harrison’s Recovery Test” gebruik is om propriosepsie te meet. Die oefengroup het deelgeneem aan ‘n propriosepsie oefenprogram wat bestaan het uit drie, oefensessies van twintig minute elk vir ag weke. Gepaarde en ongepaarde t-toetse is gebruik gedurende die statistiese analise. Die resultate was statisties betekenisvol vir beide die propriosepsie en die funksionele balans van die oefen groep (p<0.05). Die studie het getoon dat die propriosepsie en funksionele balans van ouer volwassenes statisties betekenisvol verbeter kan word deur middel van ‘n inoefeningsprogram vir die verbetering van propriosepsie waar slegs van lae tegnologiese apparaat gebruik maak word.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar um programa de Orientação e Mobilidade para pessoas surdocegas, sugerindo caminhos para a inclusão na escola, no trabalho, e em outros ambientes; promovendo recursos para o desenvolvimento de autonomia e acessibilidade e sugerir diretrizes para novos programas, bem como, resgatar a auto-estima, a autonomia e, principalmente, a qualidade de vida para esta população. A pesquisa aponta a importância do protocolo de avaliação para o desenvolvimento do programa Passo a Passo de Orientação e Mobilidade para pessoas surdocegas visando realizar as adaptações necessárias nas técnicas de guia-vidente, bengala longa e a criação de recursos para favorecer um deslocamento orientado e seguro. / The objective of this study was to analyze an Orientation and Mobility program for deafblind people, suggesting paths to inclusion at school, work, and other environments; promoting resources for the development of autonomy and accessibility and suggest guidelines to new programs, as well as, to recover self-esteem, autonomy and, mainly, the quality of life of this population. The research points out the importance of the assessment procedure for the development of the Orientation and Mobility Step-by-Step Program for deafblind people, which aims the realization of necessary adaptations in the long cane and sighted-guide techniques, and the creation of resources to favor a safe and oriented travel.

Thesis. 1977. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 203-204. / by Frank C. Conati. / M.S.