Opinions of disabled university students on the distance education process

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the views of university students with disabilities, regarding the distance education process. The data collection tool of this qualitative research carried out in a phenomenological design is a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher, which aims to get the opinions of the disabled students studying at the university on the distance education process. The study group of the research consists of 30 students with visual, hearing and orthopedic disabilities who are studying at various universities in the cities of Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Aktobe and Karaganda in Kazakhstan, and have agreed to participate in the research voluntarily. As a result of the research, it was revealed that university students with disabilities found distance education inadequate in terms of teacher-learner, learner-learner, learner-content and learner-technology relations in line with the answers they gave in the semi-structured interview form. Improving teacher and peer relations in the distance education process of disabled university students, reorganizing the educational content and creating the technological infrastructure suitable for their needs are among the important tasks of the education approach of contemporary higher education. Keywords: Distance education, hearing impaired students, higher education. orthopedically impaired students, visually impaired students

Mechanical design and evaluation of an actuator and a simulator for trans-tibial and trans-femoral prostheses

This study proposes a joint simulator to evaluate new prosthesis designs prior to patient trials to minimize the inconveniences encountered in prosthesis applications for amputees. Design and prototype manufacturing of a force-controlled series elastic actuator was realized. In addition, actively controlled trans-tibial and trans-femoral amputation prostheses were designed by utilizing this actuator. A pneumatic joint simulator consisting of a proportional air pressure valve was also designed and manufactured. The experimental results demonstrated that good position tracking performances and effective assistive forces under the simulated walking conditions were achieved. The developed systems have the potential to contribute to the improvement of inadequate features of passive prostheses and to the development of new assistive systems that better respond to the needs of people with orthopedic disabilities.

“Every One of Them Are Worth It”: Blanche Van Leuven Browne and the Education of the “Crippled Child”

Many rights struggles have promoted education and learning as proof of citizenship and capacity, and disability rights movements are no exception. Blanche Van Leuven Browne, one early twentieth-century polio survivor, reimagined the possibilities of education for “crippled children” by approaching schooling as not only preparation for vocational work but as a sign of disabled children's social worthiness. This article explores the role of education in Browne's life and work, from her childhood in the 1880s to the Detroit hospital-school for physically disabled children she operated from 1907 to 1918. Browne's educational approach emphasized writing and citizenship to (re)define the identity of the “crippled child,” envisioning each as an intelligent future citizen. This approach contrasted with predominant contemporary medical, philanthropic, and educational approaches, which emphasized medical care and vocational training for children with orthopedic disabilities. It also distanced physically disabled children from intellectually disabled children, who were key cultural targets of eugenic fears.

Early Play and Recreation Experiences of Persons with Physical Disabilities: An Exploration

The purpose of this exploratory study was to inquire about the childhood and adolescent social and recreational experiences of adult males having congenital orthopedic disabilities, those having acquired orthopedic disabilities, and those who were able-bodied. An interview method using a prepared questionnaire was employed to collect data from 173 men, of whom 53 had congenital disabilities, 60 had acquired disabilities, and 60 were able-bodied. They ranged in age from 20 to 40 years. The analyses, using the chi-square statistic at p = .001, revealed that men with congenital disabilities differed from each of the other two groups with respect to memories of childhood social and recreational opportunities. They recalled having had more or about the same number of childhood opportunities to play with friends, be involved in active games and in outdoor activities, and play at friends’ homes. Subjects with congenital disabilities, in contrast to the others, also recalled as adolescents having had more or about the same number of opportunities to participate in active games and go to friends’ homes.

To Tell or Not to Tell: Disability Disclosure and the Job Interview

The focus is on the issue of disability disclosure by a job applicant with a visible disability. Twenty-one men and women having visual, auditory, or orthopedic disabilities and holding professional or managerial positions offer their perspectives, based on personal experience. The issue is perceived as complex and important, having profound implications both personally and professionally. Disclosing the disability before the job interview was the preferred strategy for most. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed.