Environmental Barriers and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Schizophrenia in Taiwan: The Capacity-Performance Discrepancy

Environmental factors are crucial determinants of disability in schizophrenic patients. Using data from the 2014–2018 Certification of Disability and Care Needs dataset, we identified 3882 adult patients (46.78% females; age, 51.01 ± 13.9 years) with schizophrenia. We found that patients with severe schizophrenia had lower capacity and performance than those with moderate schizophrenia. The chances of having an access barrier to environmental chapter 1 (e1) products and technology in moderate schizophrenic patients and in severe schizophrenic patients were 29.5% and 37.8%, respectively. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the performance score was related to accessibility barriers in the categories described in e1, with adequate fitness of models in category e110 for personal consumption, e115 for personal usage in daily living activities, and e120 for personal outdoor and indoor mobility and transportation. Furthermore, the capacity-performance discrepancy was higher in moderate schizophrenic patients with accessibility barriers in the e110, e115, and e120 categories than that in moderate schizophrenic patients without accessibility barriers. However, severe schizophrenic patients with category e120 accessibility barriers were prone to a lower discrepancy, with institutional care a potentially decreasing factor. In conclusion, providing an e1 barrier-free environment is necessary for patients with schizophrenia to decrease their disability.

Global control of COVID-19: good vaccines may not suffice

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled health and socioeconomic inequities around the globe. Effective epidemic control requires the achievement of herd immunity, where susceptible individuals are conferred indirect protection by being surrounded by immunized individuals. The proportion of people that need to be vaccinated to obtain herd immunity is determined through the herd immunity threshold. However, the number of susceptible individuals and the opportunities for contact between infectious and susceptible individuals influence the progress of an epidemic. Thus, in addition to vaccination, control of a pandemic may be difficult or impossible to achieve without other public health measures, including wearing face masks and social distancing. This article discusses the factors that may contribute to herd immunity and control of COVID-19 through the availability of effective vaccines and describes how vaccine effectiveness in the community may be lower than that expected. It also discusses how pandemic control in some countries and populations may face vaccine accessibility barriers if market forces strongly regulate the new technologies available, according to the inverse care law.

Geoscience Fieldwork in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Development of a Virtual Geological Field Trip to Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant cancelation of geoscience fieldwork, as well as outstanding accessibility issues inherent in conducting fieldwork, we developed a virtual geological fieldtrip (VFT) to the Huronian age deposits in the Whitefish Falls area, Ontario, Canada. This region is a geologically significant site in which many Ontario universities conduct undergraduate teaching due to the high-quality exposures. In this contribution, we describe and comment on the development of this openly available resource, the motivations in doing so, the challenges faced, its pedagogical impact and relevance, as well as provide suggestions to others in the development of such resources. Our multimedia VFT combines 360° imagery, georeferenced data on integrated maps, and multi-scale imagery (aerial/drone, outcrop, and thin section images). The VFT was built using the Esri Storymaps platform, and thus offers us the opportunity to review the effectiveness of building such resources using this medium, as well as our approach to doing so. We conclude that the Esri Storymaps platform provides a sound medium for the dissemination of multimedia VFTs, but that some aspects of in-person fieldwork remain hard to replicate. Most notably, this affects “hands on experience” and specific activities such as geological mapping. In addition, while VFTs alleviate some accessibility barriers to geoscience fieldwork, substantial barriers remain that should remain the focus of both pedagogical and geoscience work.

Geoscience Fieldwork in the Age of Covid-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Development of a Virtual Geological Field Trip to Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resultant cancellation of geoscience fieldwork, as well as outstanding accessibility issues inherent in conducting fieldwork, we developed a virtual geological fieldtrip (VFT) to the Huronian age deposits in the Whitefish Falls area, Ontario, Canada. This region is a geologically significant site in which many Ontario universities conduct undergraduate teaching due to the high-quality exposures. In this contribution we describe and comment on the development of this openly available resource, the motivations in doing so, the challenges faced, its pedagogical impact and relevance, as well as provide suggestions to others in the development of such resources. Our multimedia VFT combines 360° imagery, georeferenced data on integrated maps, and multi-scale imagery (aerial/drone, outcrop, and thin section images). The VFT was built using the Esri Storymaps platform, and thus offers us the opportunity to review the effectiveness of building such resources using this medium, as well as our approach to doing so. We conclude that the Esri Storymaps platform provides a sound medium for the dissemination of multimedia VFTs, but that some aspects of in-person fieldwork remain hard to replicate. Most notably, ‘hands on experience’ and specific activities such as geological mapping. In addition, while VFTs alleviate some accessibility barriers to geoscience fieldwork, substantial barriers remain that should remain the focus of both pedagogical and geoscience work.

What Does a Foot Path Do?

<p>In New Zealand pedestrian infrastructure is not a robust area of transport planning. As a funding class it receives minimal monetary allocation. This thesis argues design interventions in the pedestrian environment need to be both responsive to the surrounding context and effective in promoting walking patronage. To achieve this goal this thesis argues that the current process used by central authorities and local authorities for researching, designing, and implementing pedestrian infrastructure, needs to change. As a solution this thesis develops a new methodology for researching, designing and implementing pedestrian infrastructure. The methodology is developed through a series of design experiments using Central Wellington as a site. The methodology uses a multi paradigm framework adopted from landscape perception research, which allows it to successfully alternate between ‘top down’ expert orientated approaches. For example, on one hand the methodology uses standardized typological solutions as a cost and time efficient approach to resolving pedestrian barriers to walking; as well as a ‘top down’ macro scale urban analysis in order to ensure any resources being spent at a micro scale street level are also improving larger urban scale problems in the pedestrian network. While on the other hand uses a ‘bottom up’ qualitative approach through a newly developed ‘cognitive survey and interview technique’, to research from the perspective of the public where pedestrian accessibility barriers to walking are located in the built environment. The research is significant as it reveals new insight into the practical application of a standardized typological approach to pedestrian design. In particular it reveals how a new hybrid methodology combining a ‘top down expert’ and utilitarian approach, with a ‘bottom up qualitative’ and contextual approach, makes for efficient employment of design resources when implementing pedestrian infrastructure.</p>

What Does a Foot Path Do?

<p>In New Zealand pedestrian infrastructure is not a robust area of transport planning. As a funding class it receives minimal monetary allocation. This thesis argues design interventions in the pedestrian environment need to be both responsive to the surrounding context and effective in promoting walking patronage. To achieve this goal this thesis argues that the current process used by central authorities and local authorities for researching, designing, and implementing pedestrian infrastructure, needs to change. As a solution this thesis develops a new methodology for researching, designing and implementing pedestrian infrastructure. The methodology is developed through a series of design experiments using Central Wellington as a site. The methodology uses a multi paradigm framework adopted from landscape perception research, which allows it to successfully alternate between ‘top down’ expert orientated approaches. For example, on one hand the methodology uses standardized typological solutions as a cost and time efficient approach to resolving pedestrian barriers to walking; as well as a ‘top down’ macro scale urban analysis in order to ensure any resources being spent at a micro scale street level are also improving larger urban scale problems in the pedestrian network. While on the other hand uses a ‘bottom up’ qualitative approach through a newly developed ‘cognitive survey and interview technique’, to research from the perspective of the public where pedestrian accessibility barriers to walking are located in the built environment. The research is significant as it reveals new insight into the practical application of a standardized typological approach to pedestrian design. In particular it reveals how a new hybrid methodology combining a ‘top down expert’ and utilitarian approach, with a ‘bottom up qualitative’ and contextual approach, makes for efficient employment of design resources when implementing pedestrian infrastructure.</p>

A qualitative study to understand the perspectives of MOOC providers on accessibility

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are widely available and have become a common option for learners. However, their full potential cannot be realised if they are not accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. It is, therefore, important to understand the different stakeholders and their requirements and perspectives in designing accessible MOOCs. This research investigated the perspectives of MOOC providers on MOOC learners who have accessibility needs and the processes used to manage accessibility and MOOCs in their individual organisations. In this paper, we report the results of a study using thematic analysis, which involved 26 semi-structured interviews with MOOC providers and focused on MOOC accessibility. The results show that, while MOOC providers are aware of learners with accessibility needs who are participating in MOOCs, they prioritise legislation over learners’ accessibility preferences. MOOC providers consider the technology of the platform itself creates barriers and are aware of the limitations for learners in finding help, reporting accessibility barriers and obtaining feedback, when participating in MOOCs. Implications for policy and practice: Course providers should acknowledge MOOC design is being guided by legal requirements. That involves uncertainty to who is the responsible to deliver accessible MOOCs. Platform providers need to consider the lack of information about their learners makes it difficult to design educational resources that consider different target groups and provide personalisation. Learners can find MOOCs helpful for continuing professional development and lifelong learning. MOOCs are attractive due to their low-cost and self-regulated learning.

The Daily Experiences of Facebook for Visually Impaired Users

Prior research into using social networking sites (SNSs) by visually impaired (VI) users has focused primarily on their competencies and accessibility barriers in its usage. We argue, however, that there exists insufficient research into the daily pattern of use of SNSs by VI users and benefits unique to this population. To address these limitations, we conducted two empirical studies, a diary study and a follow-up in-depth interview study, to further explore the social experiences of VI users’ everyday Facebook engagement. Our findings show that VI users were motivated to use Facebook by the prospect of connecting with family and friends and that Facebook offers unique benefits to VI users in terms of improved quality-of-life through social capital building, knowledge obtainment, and entertainment.