Expanding the meaning of citizenship: "evacuation" of people with disabilities in Russia from the institutions during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfiya Battalova

In the wake of COVID-19, non-profit organizations that focus on providing social support services in Russia consolidated their efforts to take proactive measures to change internaty 1, the system of institutions for people with physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities. As a result of advocacy efforts by the non-profit organizations, 26 people from these institutions were evacuated and provided with temporary assisted housing. The decision to act proactively to prevent the spread of the virus among the residents of the institutions is indicative of the galvanized efforts of the non-profit sector to advocate for deinstitutionalization and assisted living. COVID-19 served as an opportunity for the non-profit organizations to emphasize the need for expediting deinstitutionalization reform. Drawing on media sources, the literature on disability and advocacy in Russia, and the conceptual framework of citizenship, this paper will provide an overview of the internaty system, analyze the legislative context of disability and COVID-19, and discuss the context of deinstitutionalization advocacy in Russia.

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872199681
Author(s):  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Hilary Tetlow ◽  
Kym Ward ◽  
Justine Shenton ◽  
...  

Background: To date, there appears to be no evidence on the longer-term impacts caused by COVID-19 and its related public health restrictions on some of the most vulnerable in our societies. The aim of this research was to explore the change in impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the mental wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. Method: Semi-structured, follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with PLWD and unpaid carers between June and July 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of accessing social support services during the pandemic, and the impact of restrictions on their daily lives. Results: 20 interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed, which produced 3 primary themes concerning emotional responses and impact to mental health and wellbeing during the course of the pandemic: 1) Impact on mental health during lockdown, 2) Changes to mental health following easing of public health, and 3) The long-term effect of public health measures. Conclusions: The findings from this research shed light on the longer-term psychological impacts of the UK Government’s public health measures on PLWD and their carers. The loss of social support services was key in impacting this cohort mentally and emotionally, displaying a need for better psychological support, for both carers and PLWD.


2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanuka Roy ◽  
Suhita Chopra Chatterjee

Parent-caregivers (PACs) of Thalassaemic children face a variety of stress and strain. The article looks into the different experiences of PACs in a relatively underdeveloped setting in India characterized by poor medical and social support services. The problem is compounded by illiteracy and poverty of the PACs. The study highlights the different ways in which PACs cope with the existential crisis of illness in their lives. Central to coping, meanings play an important role. Hoping and normalization are other mechanisms which help them to confront the crisis. The findings indicate considerable differences in caregiving experiences according to PACs' education and religious background. These differences are also reflected in their awareness and preferences for different intervention programmes. The article concludes by indicating the need to develop culturally sensitive intervention strategies which can take into account these variations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Tétreault ◽  
Sophie Blais-Michaud ◽  
Pascale Marier Deschênes ◽  
Pauline Beaupré ◽  
Hubert Gascon ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Duff ◽  
Nicholas Hill ◽  
Hazel Blunden ◽  
kylie valentine ◽  
Sean Randall ◽  
...  

The project will examine the coordination between residential treatment and housing and social support services using international comparisons and linked administrative data followed by testing in the field. It aims to enhance transition planning and reduce the risk of housing instability for individuals leaving treatment for mental health and/or substance use problems.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-148
Author(s):  
John Hunninghake ◽  
Fanglong Dong ◽  
Robert B Hines ◽  
Elizabeth Ablah ◽  
Sarah Taylor

Background. The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of cancer patients utilizing social support services while undergoing treatment and to identify patient and clinical factors associated with utilization of such services. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study. Surveys were distributed to three cancer clinics at 11 locations in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area in 2010. Study inclusion criteria included being at least 18 years old and undergoing treatment for cancer at the time of survey completion. Results. A total of 465 oncology patients completed surveys. Two-thirds (67.5%, n = 314) were undergoing treatment for cancer and were included in the final analysis. More than half (63.7%, n = 198) were female, and the average age was 58.9 ± 13.3 years. More than one-third (37.4%, n = 117) reported using cancer-related social support services. Additionally, 22% (n = 69) reported not using support services but were interested in learning more about those services. Patients had increased odds of having used support services if they were female (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.47, 4.82), were younger adults, or had stage I-III (OR = 2.67; 95% CI 1.32, 5.26) or stage IV cancer (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.14, 4.75) compared to those who did not know their cancer stage. Conclusions. More than one-third of patients reported using social support services. A substantial portion of participants reported not using support services but were interested in learning more about those services. Increasing social support service utilization might be especially important to explore for men, those who do not know their cancer stage, and older adults.


Daedalus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-159
Author(s):  
Mala Htun ◽  
Francesca R. Jensenius

In the 1990s and 2000s, pressure from feminist movements and allies succeeded in pushing scores of states to reform their laws to prevent and punish violence against women (VAW). Even in states with progressive legislation, however, activists face challenges to induce citizens to comply with the law, compel state authorities to enforce the law, and ensure the adequate allocation of resources for social support services. In this essay, we take stock of legislative developments related to VAW around the world, with a focus on the variation in approaches toward intimate partner violence and sexual harassment. We analyze efforts to align behavior with progressive legislation, and end with a discussion of the balance activists must strike between fighting VAW aggressively with the carceral and social support dimensions of state power, while exercising some restraint to avoid the potentially counterproductive effects of state action.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document