Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

This study explored the experience of disability as recounted by school aged, visually impaired adolescents. The primary aim was to explore the manner in which these adolescents thought about, understood and coped with their disability. A second aim explored the extent to which participants’ experiences mirrored those reported in the literature. The design of the study was qualitative with an orientation toward social constructionism. Nine partially sighted and seven blind adolescents comprised the two cohorts of participants who participated in the study. One of the most notable findings supported the argument that disability is a socially constructed phenomenon. Some insights, drawn from psychoanalysis, were also found to be useful. Other findings, a critique of the study, and suggestions for future research are also provided. One of the most important of these involves evaluating the negative and positive consequences of inclusive education.

This research uses Contextual Bible Studies as the main approach in searching for ways in which the Bible may be used as a resource to contribute to a holistic education for people with disabilities (PWDs). It explores the situation of PWDs in the DRC and demonstrates how the image of PWDs has been negatively portrayed, and how PWDs’ situation has been perceived as a misfortune. Consequently, the socio-cultural concept of disability has influenced the biblical interpretation of disability making PWDs seem to be “lesser human beings”. Therefore, the use of three biblical texts, which are Exodus 4, 1-17; 2 Corinthians 12, 1-10 and Acts 3, 1-11, in this study serves to re-read the Bible in a constructive way from the disability perspective. Each Bible study has its main focus related to the question of this study mentioned above: the first biblical text, Exodus 4, 1-17 is designed for IMAN’ENDA members with the aim of helping PWDs to discover their real identity in the light of Bible study. The core verse of this study is verse 10, in which I focused on, “How God views disability”. The second text, 2 Corinthians 12, 1-10, is designed for PWDs as well as for ablebodied people in order to understand suffering as another way of discovering oneself. The main focus of this Bible study is on v. 9, in which I dealt with “Power through weak body”. The third biblical text is Acts 3, 1-11, and is designed for church leaders from the Presbyterian Church in Kinshasa with the aim of helping church leaders to widen their understanding of healing for better integration of and support for PWDs in society. The text focuses on healing that I referred to as “Holistic Healing”. The study also offers a theological reflection on disability in the Bible. This is based, on the one hand, on findings from Bible studies with PWDs and Presbyterian Church leaders and lecturers; and, on the other hand, on interviews conducted with Protestant Church leaders and religion lecturers, and Catholic high school pupils. These investigations were conducted in order to develop a holistic educational programme for PWDs in the DRC, which is proposed as a programme in Social Transformation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This study investigates the accessibility of web sites for blind and visually impaired individuals. The researcher’s aim in this study is to highlight the different problems these individuals experience when interacting with websites. A case study approach was adopted in order to investigate accessibility problems amongst blind and visually impaired people. This was investigated by conducting a user test, observation with the think aloud technique and interviews. The user test was made up of tasks where the participants had to visit four different types of websites and complete predefined tasks for each of these websites. The researcher also analysed the data by the use of automated web evaluations. This was used to compare the automated web evaluation results with the researcher’s results. Content analysis was used to identify frequencies and intensities with which themes and concepts appear in interviewee responses. In addition, correspondence analysis was used to help corroborate the findings of the content analysis and interpret the data. Results revealed that blind and visually impaired individuals do experience many difficulties when interacting with websites. The findings identified certain technical and conceptual accessibility problems that were experienced by blind and visually impaired individuals. The results also indicate that there is a relationship between website design and accessibility problems experienced. Further, the results indicate that the use of an assistive technology has a positive effect on the performance of web based tasks. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

In the United States, nearly 30% of children experience a moderate to severe chronic illness or disability, and nearly all of these children live in a household with at least one sibling (Cox, Marshall, Medleco, & Olsen, 2003). Having a child with a disability in the family can create several demanding and permanent changes for each member of the family (Fisman, Wolf, Ellison, & Freeman, 2000). Empirical and theoretical research have revealed that having a child with a disability impacts each member of the family, both in regard to long-term functioning and day-to-day activities (Cox et al., 2003).There are relatively few studies that explore the sibling relationship between a non-disabled child and a child with a disability. Not surprisingly, there are even fewer studies that evaluate the impact of specific types of disabilities, such as visual impairment, on the sibling relationship (Stoneman & Brody, 1993). Because of the uniqueness of each type of disability, more research should focus on specific types of disabilities, such as visual impairments. This study was conducted in an effort to better understand the experiences and opinions of children with a visual impairment and their non-disabled siblings.Utilizing a qualitative approach, ten children with visual impairments and ten sighted siblings were interviewed. Through these interviews, several themes emerged, including the following: closeness, conflict, impact of disability, responsibility/assistance, understanding of disability, and coping strategies. Within each of these themes were related subthemes. From these themes and interrelationships of the themes emerged an integrated theory of sibling relationships when one sibling has a visual impairment, which included the dimensions of the non-disability sibling dyad, the shared disability experience, and coping-related strategies.Based on the reports of children with visual impairments and their sighted siblings, visual impairment can have both positive and negative implications toward the sibling relationship. Children with visual impairments and their siblings have the challenge of managing a "typical", non-disability related, sibling relationship along with their shared disability experience. Implications for professionals include assisting with coping-related strategies, such as increased communication, teaching advocacy, and assisting with education and social support. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

People with vision impairments are under-represented in the workforce, largely due to discrimination. Also, in order to be qualified for most types of employment, people will need to be computer-literate in the future. Therefore, teaching computer literacy is an important part of postsecondary education. Particularly the availability of adaptive computer equipment and improvements in legislation prepare the ground for a computer-literate visually impaired person to achieve equality and become an integral part of the workforce.This thesis addresses the issues involved in teaching computer literacy for visually impaired students. It introduces several examples of computer literacy courses at institutions of post-secondary education, as well as discusses the CS 104 course designed and taught by Dr. Roy L. McCormick for visually impaired students at Ball State University. / Department of Computer Science

Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1985. / Bibliography: leaves 147-151. / Photocopy. / xiv, 151 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 6, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.