Collaborative Learning Environments for Autistic Children in the Inclusive School

One of the major challenges facing inclusive education for children with ASD is the identification and the removal of barriers of learning, ranging from attitudinal barriers to those related to how we organize workspaces and the conception of educational resources. The collaborative approach is one of the most effective ways of learning, and it has the benefit to develop the culture of inclusion in schools. In fact, the major challenge of the system is to personalize the educational therapeutic approach, respectively to create learning environments that generate meaningful learning experiences for each beneficiary. When the authors refer to the personalization of inclusive learning environments during pandemic period, they think both of indoor environments, but also of outdoor environments, as well as virtual environments, models of innovative practices regarding the preparation and organization of personalized collaborative spaces both in classrooms and also in learning spaces from the community, having a multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary approach in order to develop life skills.

Factors influencing workplace accommodations requests among employees with visual impairments

People with visual impairments experience various challenges in the workplace such as under-employment, structural, and attitudinal barriers. Workplace accommodations are instrumental in assisting individuals to complete essential functions of their jobs and to increase job tenure and satisfaction. However, workplace accommodations are under-utilized. The current study examined influences of psychosocial and demographic factors on decisions to request accommodations amongst people with visual impairments. Participants included 116 people with visual impairments (e.g., female = 63.9%, Caucasian = 81%) from agencies and organizations serving people with visual impairments within United States. The results following logistic regression show that increased levels of psychosocial factors (i.e., self-efficacy in requesting accommodations and goal setting, non-personal cost related to accommodation, knowledge related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodation policies and procedures) predicted participants’ decision to request accommodations. In addition, participants aged 55 or more and those with a high school degree or lower were less likely to request accommodations. Rehabilitation interventions for enhancing work participation self-efficacy in employees with visual impairment, as well as knowledge on ADA and accommodation policies and procedures, would create a more inclusive and accepting work environment for employees with visual impairment.

Using the Adaptive Leadership Framework for Chronic Illness to Design a Palliative and Collaborative Intervention

Our study addresses symptoms and functional management early in acute myeloid leukemia treatment using a PAlliative and Collaborative Care inTervention (PACT) delivered by clinical staff. PACT is an interdisciplinary nurse-led intervention of nursing [RN], occupational therapy [OT], physical therapy [PT] for adults ≥ 60 years of age at time of initial treatment. Finding from our preliminary qualitative work led to use of the Adaptive Leadership Framework for Chronic Illness to guide optimal engagement of the patient in self-management of symptoms and functional activities to address QOL outcomes. We share lessons learned of how the ALFCI was applied to the PACT intervention to empower patients with self-management skills to reduce symptoms and optimize function. In summary, the team and patient identify and address emotional, motivational, attitudinal barriers so that the patient can do the work required for self- management to reduce symptoms and avoid functional decline.

Attitudinal Barriers Hindering Adoption of Telepsychiatry among Mental Healthcare Professionals: Israel as a Case-Study

Despite proven advantages for the use of telemedicine in psychiatry, mental healthcare professionals have shown deep-seated mistrust and suspicion of telepsychiatry, which hinders its widespread application. The current study examines the attitudes of Israeli mental health professionals towards telepsychiatry and seeks to uncover the effects of experience and organizational affiliation on its adoption. The methodology included qualitative and thematic analysis of 27 in-depth interviews with Israeli mental health professionals, focusing on three major themes—clinical quality, economic efficiency, and the effects on the work–life balance of healthcare professionals. The attitudes of mental health professionals were found to be widely divergent and sharply dichotomized regarding different aspects of telepsychiatry and its suitability for mental healthcare services. However, there was a general consensus that telemedicine may not fulfil its promise of being a panacea to the problems of modern public medicine. In addition, attitudes were related to hierarchical position, organizational affiliation, and personal experience with telepsychiatry. Specifically, organizational affiliation influenced experience with and support for the assimilation of telepsychiatry. The study also revealed the role of organizational leadership and culture in promoting or inhibiting the proliferation and adoption of innovative technologies and services in modern medicine.

Creative Solutions : how Students With Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) Conditions Manage Their Studies at Victoria University of Wellington

<p>The barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing and succeeding in post-compulsory education are well documented, as are the accommodations that tertiary institutions provide for students with disabilities. However, there is little research about the aids and techniques that students with disabilities actually use to meet their course requirements. This thesis explores the way in which students with occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) conditions managed their studies at Victoria University of Wellington. My methodology was influenced by the theoretical principles of emancipatory research, which emphasises a collaborative research process for the purpose of individual and social change. I interviewed thirteen Victoria University students about their OOS condition, their study strategies, and the ways in which this University could make it easier for students with OOS to manage their studies. Generally the participants used aids and techniques to enable themselves to demonstrate their ability to meet their course requirements. They also benefited from Victoria University's efforts to provide an inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. There were however, weaknesses in some of the support services that are available for students with OOS conditions at this University. Moreover, my findings suggested that attitudinal barriers might prevent some students with OOS conditions from seeking assistance with managing their studies. My goal was to enable students with OOS conditions to demonstrate their abilities, by sharing information about the strategies that some of these students used to manage their studies without aggravating their OOS symptoms, and by recommending changes to Victoria University's policies and practices.</p>

Creative Solutions : how Students With Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) Conditions Manage Their Studies at Victoria University of Wellington

<p>The barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing and succeeding in post-compulsory education are well documented, as are the accommodations that tertiary institutions provide for students with disabilities. However, there is little research about the aids and techniques that students with disabilities actually use to meet their course requirements. This thesis explores the way in which students with occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) conditions managed their studies at Victoria University of Wellington. My methodology was influenced by the theoretical principles of emancipatory research, which emphasises a collaborative research process for the purpose of individual and social change. I interviewed thirteen Victoria University students about their OOS condition, their study strategies, and the ways in which this University could make it easier for students with OOS to manage their studies. Generally the participants used aids and techniques to enable themselves to demonstrate their ability to meet their course requirements. They also benefited from Victoria University's efforts to provide an inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. There were however, weaknesses in some of the support services that are available for students with OOS conditions at this University. Moreover, my findings suggested that attitudinal barriers might prevent some students with OOS conditions from seeking assistance with managing their studies. My goal was to enable students with OOS conditions to demonstrate their abilities, by sharing information about the strategies that some of these students used to manage their studies without aggravating their OOS symptoms, and by recommending changes to Victoria University's policies and practices.</p>

Challenges of Integrating Information and Communication Technology in Teaching among National Teachers' Colleges in Uganda

In this 21st century, educational institutions the world over are faced with increasing demand from society to transform from analogue practices to digital systems using technology. This study investigated the challenges experienced by teacher education college lecturers in their quest to integrate ICT in teacher training practices. The study was qualitative, using focus group discussions, interview and observation with 10 college lecturers from each of the 4 colleges and 4 Principals, one from each college. Snowball purposive sampling strategy was used to draw the participants. The findings revealed a host of challenges, despite a high level of appreciation among college lecturers on the importance of ICT integration into classroom instructional practices. Several debilitating factors evolved including, lack of experience and skills in using ICT, lack of ICT curriculum for the teachers' colleges, lack of clear government policy on the teaching of ICT in the teachers' college curriculum, inadequate ICT resources, obsolete ICT hardware and soft wares, intensive teaching programs due to examination pressures, overcrowded classrooms, lack of time, heavy workload, slow internet connectivity, intermittent electricity supply and, attitudinal barriers from the relatively older lecturers with technophobia. The researchers therefore, recommended government intervention with a clear policy on ICT inclusion in the curriculum, equipping the colleges with adequate and up-to-date equipment, regular training opportunities for the lecturers, provision of alternative and affordable source of power, recruiting more human resource in the colleges to reduce the workload for the lecturers and government subsidizing on the cost of internet connectivity.

(IN) ACCESS TO ARTIFICIAL LIMBS: THE PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE ACCORDING TO THE WAR AMPS OF CANADA

Funding agencies, both public and private, do not adequately meet the needs of Canadian amputees. This often leaves amputees without access to appropriate prosthetic care due to outstanding balances that are to be paid out of pocket, or by charitable organizations. There are several factors that result in these inadequacies. As healthcare is a provincial responsibility in Canada, provinces and territories have the authority to create individual public regimes, each with their own weaknesses. In fact, there are a few provincial regimes which do not include prosthetic funding at all. Private healthcare is meant to offset the remaining balance; however, their lack of knowledge regarding amputation has resulted in the creation of policies with ambiguous language, limiting the funding available for prosthetic care. Attitudinal barriers and missed legislative opportunities further exacerbate the shortcomings of prosthetic funding provided by public and private funding agencies, requiring action. Article PDF Link:https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35972/28331 How To Cite: Petlock A, DiMario K. (In) Access to artificial limbs: the patient’s perspective according to the WAR AMPS of Canada. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021; Volume 4, Issue 2, No.13. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i2.35972 Corresponding Author: Annelise PetlockThe War Amps Advocacy Program/ 2827 Riverside Drive Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.E-Mail: [email protected] ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7273-4527

1220Barriers to care for people who use crystal methamphetamine

Background Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) causes significant societal harm in Australia and is perceived by the public to be the drug of most concern nationally. Although effective treatments exist, it is estimated that only a third of people dependent on amphetamine-type stimulants receive treatment each year. Barriers to care may for people who use ice can include psychosocial (e.g., knowledge, attitudinal) and structural barriers. This study aimed to look at the perceived and actual barriers to care for Australians, as well as help-seeking behaviours among people who use ice. Methods An online survey was conducted among 2,110 Australians including people with lived experience, health workers, affected family members/friends and community members. All participants were asked about perceived barriers to care. People with lived experience were asked additional questions about help seeking. Results Attitudinal reasons were the highest perceived barrier to care among 63.1% of participants, followed by knowledge (21.9%). People with lived experience were more likely to endorse attitudinal barriers (OR 1.35), whereas health workers were more likely to endorse knowledge related barriers (OR 0.69). Among people with lived experience who had sought help, 74.5% had visited a counsellor/psychologist and 60.6% had asked help from a family member/friend. Conclusions Understanding and reducing barriers to care is essential to reduce the harms associated with the drug. It is important to support families and friends as they are often asked to help or support a loved one using ice. Key messages It is important to understand and reduce the perceived and actual barriers to care for people who use ice. This is essential to reduce the harms associated with the drug.