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The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy Jul 2021In the polarized debates about abortion and voluntary euthanasia, disability advocates, who normally align with left-wing social forces, have tended to side with...
In the polarized debates about abortion and voluntary euthanasia, disability advocates, who normally align with left-wing social forces, have tended to side with conservative and religious voices in expressing concerns about the impact of technological and sociopolitical developments on disabled futures. This paper draws on the social model of disability and the virtue ethics tradition to explain the alignment between the religious and disability perspectives, and the theory of transformative choice to highlight the limits and biases of the pro-choice logic. Yet, it also recognizes the inherent contradiction of disabled advocates taking a paternalistic position against the personal agency of women and people facing terminal illnesses. A disability perspective serves the discussion of abortion and euthanasia as an encouragement to work together for the building of a society that enables people with diverse disabilities to exist and flourish, and helps pregnant women, people facing disabling and terminal illnesses, and politicians and social influencers to make informed choices.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Disabled Persons; Ethics; Euthanasia; Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34219161
DOI: 10.1093/jmp/jhab008 -
Rehabilitation Psychology May 2019To inform the field of rehabilitation psychology about the sociocultural implications of the term "disability," and explain the rationale behind the #SaytheWord... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To inform the field of rehabilitation psychology about the sociocultural implications of the term "disability," and explain the rationale behind the #SaytheWord movement, a social media call to embrace disability identity.
METHOD
Review of the literature on disability terminology, the history of language use, and the relationship between attitudes toward disability and language. We reflect on the role of disability within the field of psychology and within the American Psychological Association (APA), including the underrepresentation of disabled psychologists and trainees with disabilities and the lack of mentorship opportunities available in the field.
IMPLICATIONS
The authors argue that erasure of the word "disability" can have unintended and adverse consequences. We describe how erasure of disability identity in the context of current sociopolitical efforts to reduce and eliminate public services and supports for people with disabilities is especially threatening to members of the disability community. To move forward, the authors postulate that the disability movement must reconcile its own history of exclusion and adopt a disability justice framework.
CONCLUSION
The field of psychology has a rich tradition of appreciation of cultural diversity and individual difference; yet, disability has largely been left out of these efforts. The disability movement is moving toward the status of a diverse cultural group with a social justice agenda parallel to those of other marginalized communities. The authors posit that psychology must play a stronger role in advancing the human rights of people with disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Attitude to Health; Culture; Disabled Persons; Humans; Language; Prejudice; Social Justice
PubMed: 30762412
DOI: 10.1037/rep0000258 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jan 2017
Topics: Disabled Persons; Exercise; Humans; Netherlands; Recovery of Function; Sports
PubMed: 27598227
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1217079 -
Rehabilitation Psychology Feb 2020This article describes the initial factor exploration of disability identity and preliminary psychometric characteristics based on an adult self-report tool. Disability...
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE
This article describes the initial factor exploration of disability identity and preliminary psychometric characteristics based on an adult self-report tool. Disability was defined broadly, and the sample included individuals with visible and/or hidden disabilities across many disability groups (i.e., physical, intellectual, learning, mental illness).
METHOD
Items were developed ( = 102) and a pilot measure was administered to a sample of adults with disabilities ( = 566). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the mean and variance adjusted weighted least squares (WLSMV) estimator was conducted. The resulting items were sent to expert reviewers for evaluation.
RESULTS
Following the exploratory analyses, 37 items were retained that made up four factors: internal beliefs about own disability and the disability community, anger and frustration with disability experiences, adoption of disability community values, and contribution to the disability community. The pilot measure aligned well with the theoretical framework that guided its development.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
This factor exploration is a contribution to a growing body of literature supporting, and investigating, disability identity development. This work presents a more comprehensive understanding of disability identity development. Armed with a better understanding, this will serve as a basis to inform future scale development and validation. After this validation work is completed, there is the potential to apply findings to tailor interventions and clinical work, so that psychologists and rehabilitation professionals may be better prepared to meet the developmental needs of disabled clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Disabled Persons; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychometrics; Self Concept; Self Report; Young Adult
PubMed: 31944783
DOI: 10.1037/rep0000308 -
Comprehensive Child and Adolescent... Jun 2018Numerous policy directives highlight the need for planned and well-coordinated support to enable young people with long-term conditions and disabilities to negotiate the...
Numerous policy directives highlight the need for planned and well-coordinated support to enable young people with long-term conditions and disabilities to negotiate the transition to adulthood, including making the leap from children-oriented to adult- centered health services. The journey is complex and multi-dimensional. For young people with a disability, long-term condition, or mental health problem there are additional challenges when transitioning between services with differences in expectations, delivery, and culture. This article explores findings from 6 case studies of young people who have recently experienced transition to adult health and care services, triangulating inter-related perspectives: those of young people, parents, and carers, and where possible the professionals involved. One of the case studies illustrates how the challenges are actually experienced. Analysis of emerging themes across the case studies leads to key messages from families to inform strategic development of services and practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services; Adult; Continuity of Patient Care; Disabled Persons; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Qualitative Research; Transition to Adult Care
PubMed: 28692351
DOI: 10.1080/24694193.2017.1330370 -
Disability and Rehabilitation.... May 2022The literature review presents a conceptual participatory design through accessibility technology solutions, considering the design experience to be an essential factor... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The literature review presents a conceptual participatory design through accessibility technology solutions, considering the design experience to be an essential factor in communication processes. Technologies must assess a wide range of disabilities based on characterisations that helps daily activities. This work includes collaboration concepts to assist in the development of accessible technology. Collaborative design requires the fostering of communication between actors involved in the design process.
METHODS
This work implemented with a protocol of guidelines developed by a group of experts in disability research. The relevant literature is included and assessed based on three categories: accessibility, assistive technologies, and participatory design.
RESULTS
A knowledge gap can be identified: the development of assistive technology processes should enhance the voice of participants and consider their ideas, desires and needs.
CONCLUSIONS
Multidisciplinary communication is necessary to identify problems and propose solutions, and it is essential that people with disabilities collaborate with experts from a range of disciplines to identify problem-solving patterns.Implications for rehabilitationA participatory design can develop a holistic understanding of the participant's motivation and rehabilitation needs. This has provided a grounded basis to offer information about the assistive technology design.A participatory work provides information about the technology design which may finally result in a better understanding of rehabilitation, other types of home-based healthcare or the gamification for rehabilitation.The rehabilitation professionals can explore requirements of a customised technology for users, which allows to transfer knowledge about disabilities and skills in rehabilitation to people with disabilities, their families and communities.The notion of a research problem in rehabilitation can be re-evaluated through a participatory design process that attempts to capture the subjective experiences of persons with disability.
Topics: Communication; Disabled Persons; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Self-Help Devices; Technology
PubMed: 32620068
DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1785564 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry Dec 2016Some people have a profound dissatisfaction with what is considered an able-bodied state by most others. These individuals desire to be disabled, by conventional... (Review)
Review
Some people have a profound dissatisfaction with what is considered an able-bodied state by most others. These individuals desire to be disabled, by conventional standards. In this Review, we integrate research findings about the desire for a major limb amputation or paralysis (xenomelia). Neuropsychological and neuroimaging explorations of xenomelia show functional and structural abnormalities in predominantly right hemisphere cortical circuits of higher-order bodily representation, including affective and sexual aspects of corporeal awareness. These neural underpinnings of xenomelia do not necessarily imply a neurological cause, and a full understanding of the condition requires consideration of the interface between neural and social contributions to the bodily self and the concept of disability. Irrespective of cause, disability desires are accompanied by a disabling bodily dysphoria, in many respects similar to gender dysphoria, and we suggest that they should be considered a mental disorder.
Topics: Amputation, Surgical; Body Dysmorphic Disorders; Disabled Persons; Humans
PubMed: 27889011
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30265-6 -
Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy Jun 2016To empirically test the relationships proposed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) among its domains.
OBJECTIVE:
To empirically test the relationships proposed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) among its domains.
METHOD:
The cross-sectional study was completed with 226 adult patients with different health conditions who attended a Brazilian rehabilitation unit. The ICF components were measured with the following instruments: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Instrument II, Functional Independence Measure, Participation Scale, Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors, and a protocol designed to gather information on body structure and function and personal factors.
RESULTS:
Structural equation modeling showed good model adjustment, GFI=0.863; AGFI=0.795; RMSEA=0.028 (90% CI=0.014-0.043). Significant relationships were found between activity and both body structure and function (standard coefficient=0.32; p<0.0001) and participation components (standard coefficient=–0.70; p<0.0001). Environmental and personal factors had a significant effect on the three functioning components (standard coefficient =0.39; p<0.0001; standard coefficient =-0.35; p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, body structure and function had no significant effect on participation (standard coefficient=–0.10; p=0.111) and health conditions had no significant effect on any of the functioning components, i.e., body structure and function, activity, and participation (standard coefficient=–0.12; p=0.128).
CONCLUSION:
Some of the ICF’s proposed relationships across domains were confirmed, while others were not found to be significant. Our results reinforce the contextual dependency of the functioning and disability processes, in addition to putting into perspective the impact of health conditions.
Topics: Disability Evaluation; Disabled Persons; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Models, Theoretical
PubMed: 27878225
DOI: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0168 -
Rehabilitation Psychology May 2017The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize existing empirical research on disability identity development. This review is organized to present the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize existing empirical research on disability identity development. This review is organized to present the demographics of participants and types of disabilities represented in the existing data, measures of disability identity development and theoretical models of disability identity development.
METHOD
Electronic databases (EBSCO, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Sociological Abstracts) were searched for all peer reviewed empirical studies published between 1980 and 2017. Articles were excluded if they were theoretical and/or did not include participants with disabilities, or focused on a disability-specific community identity rather than general disability identity.
RESULTS
Empirical articles (N = 41) were included in the final review. An overwhelming majority (75.6%) were qualitative in nature, with only 22% of the articles reviewed being quantitative and only 1 that utilized a mixed methods design. The results suggest that disability identity can be considered a unique phenomenon that shapes persons' ways of seeing themselves, their bodies, and their way of interacting with the world.
CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS
Disability identity development has the potential to become an important factor in developing effective interventions and/or therapies. Identity development is a fundamentally social process, and identities are formed through mirroring, modeling, and recognition through available identity resources, and so it is imperative that able-bodied professionals (i.e., rehabilitation professionals, therapists, teachers and caregivers) working with individuals with disabilities become aware of this developmental process to be able to better support individuals along this journey. (PsycINFO Database Record
Topics: Disabled Persons; Humans; Self Concept
PubMed: 28406650
DOI: 10.1037/rep0000134 -
The Journal of Rural Health : Official... Sep 2019Disabilities are not evenly distributed across geography or age, yet few studies on disability have considered these factors. The purpose of this study was to explore...
BACKGROUND
Disabilities are not evenly distributed across geography or age, yet few studies on disability have considered these factors. The purpose of this study was to explore rural-urban differences in disability rates, particularly related to gender and race, and what other rural-urban disparities help explain these differences.
METHODS
Utilizing the 2008-2016 Current Population Survey (CPS), we first examined rural and urban disability trends by gender and race, estimating means and rural-urban percentage differences for men and women by race and conducting t test analysis to test group differences by age cohort (eg, comparing white, non-Hispanic, rural 15- to 24-year-old women to white, non-Hispanic, urban 15- to 24-year-old women). We then conducted a logistic regression to explore whether or not the effects of rurality on disability rates could be explained by rural-urban differences in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
RESULTS
Descriptively, rural people report disability at higher rates than urban people across nearly all age category, gender, and racial combinations. These differences are more pronounced for nonwhite respondents in middle to older age categories. Additionally, while some of the rural disability disparity can be explained by adding demographic and socioeconomic variables to the logistic regression model, the effect of rurality remains significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that when researchers, policy makers, and service providers are addressing rural and urban differences in health and well-being, self-reported disability is another factor to consider. Future work should be mindful of how disability and space intersect with gender and race, creating significant disparities for people of color in rural places.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Disabled Persons; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Rural Population; Urban Population
PubMed: 30566272
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12338