Internal disorder pattern as a predictor of adaptation of disabled adults

The article is devoted to the problem of adaptation of disabled adults. The influence of personal characteristics on adaptation and the problems of including people in the Societas are usually studied. This publication examines the influence of the internal disorder pattern on adaptation. The internal disorder pattern is a complex of sensations, knowledge, experiences, motivational changes associated with the violation. The results of an empirical study involving 75 disabled adults are presented. The methods of conversation, survey and statistical processing were used. It was found that the severity of the components of the internal disorder pattern differs in groups of adults with different variants of dysontogeny. The greatest number of correlations was found between the adaptation parameters and the physical component of the internal disorder pattern. The physical component is a predictor of the overall level of adaptability, internality and emotional comfort. This is important for people with severe speech and hearing disorders. The cognitive component is a predictor of internal control in a group of people with hearing impairments. There was no influence of the components of the internal disorder pattern on adaptation in groups of people with visual impairment and mobility disabilities. It is suggested that this influence is mediated through personal characteristics and self-attitude.

Predictors of Depression in Healthcare Patients at Risk of Self-Neglect

More than half of reports to Adult Protective Services agencies nationwide involve allegations of self-neglect. An intensive case management intervention for preventing self-neglect was evaluated in a longitudinal study conducted collaboratively by a large healthcare system, Adult Protective Services, and a gerontological research institute. Patients (444) who were older (60+ years) and/or disabled (18+ years) were randomly selected for participation from 19 primary-care clinics if they had risk factors for self-neglect, including depression, substance abuse, dementia, and/or impairment in activities of daily living. Average age was 68 years (SD=12.5), 68% were Hispanic, 68% had monthly income of less than $1,361, and 67% were female. Clinics were randomized into intervention and control groups. Intervention clinic patients received intensive case management services; control clinic patients received usual care, including social work services. Subjects were interviewed at baseline and four months later. The Stress Process Model guided a multiple regression analysis. Domains of background characteristics, primary and secondary stressors, and support (patients in intervention or control group) were entered in blocks to predict depression levels at post-test. While no significant differences were found in post-test depression levels between intervention and controls, the final model was statistically significant (adjusted R2=.452). Significant predictors of depression were: younger age (disabled adults), poorer self-rated physical and emotional health, greater loneliness, and less social support. Future analyses will examine effects of moderating variables on post-test depression levels. Practice implications of preliminary analyses include addressing disabled adults’ mental health needs, especially if they are isolated and lack social support.

Writing with the Eyes: The Effect of Age on Eye-Tracking Performance in Non-Disabled Adults and a Comparison with Bimanual Typing

Eye-tracking technology is advancing rapidly, becoming cheaper and easier to use and more robust. This has fueled an increase in its implementation for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Nowadays, Eye-Tracking Communication Devices (ETCDs) can be an effective aid for people with disabilities and communication problems. However, it is not clear what level of performance is attainable with these devices or how to optimize them for AAC use. The objective of this observational study was to provide data on non-disabled adults’ performance with ETCD regarding (a) range of eye-typing ability in terms of speed and errors for different age groups and (b) relationship between ETCD performance and bimanual writing with a conventional PC keyboard and (c) to suggest a method for a correct implementation of ETCD for AAC. Sixty-seven healthy adult volunteers (aged 20–79 years) were asked to type a sample sentence using, first, a commercial ETCD and then a standard PC keyboard; we recorded the typing speed and error rate. We repeated the test 11 times in order to assess performance changes due to learning. Performances differed between young (20–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and elderly (60–79 years) participants. Age had a negative impact on performance: as age increased, typing speed decreased and the error rate increased. There was a clear learning effect, i.e., repetition of the exercise produced an improvement of performance in all subjects. Bimanual and ETCD typing speed showed a linear relationship, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.73. The assessment of the effect of age on eye-typing performance can be useful to evaluate the effectiveness of man-machine interaction for use of ETCDs for AAC. Based on our findings, we outline a potential method (obviously requiring further verification) for the setup and tuning of ETCDs for AAC in people with disabilities and communication problems.

Spontaneous Representations of Disability and Attitudes toward Inclusive Educational Practices: a Mixed Approach

The present study's primary aims were a) to explore non-disabled adults' spontaneous representation of disability and the specific associations related to adults and children with disabilities; to investigate participants' general perception of specific inclusive educational practices and the potential impact of contact with disabled individuals on children. We used a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approach in a sample of 628 participants aged 18 to 82 (M=28.59, SD=11.50). Our results suggested that most explicit representations of disability were negatively valenced, i.e., people generally used pessimistic and detrimental related words. Psychomotor deficiencies comprised the most frequent disability category associated with disabled adults, while autism was the most frequent disability related to disabled children. Participants considered that the inclusion of physically disabled children (compared to children with intellectual disabilities) in public schools has a more positive effect on non-disabled children. The previous contact with a friend or a family member with a disability significantly and positively impacted the general attitude toward disability and inclusive educational practices. Results are discussed regarding their practical implications for the educational system and specific strategies related to inclusive public policies.

Needs Investigation Methods Compatible With Key End User Limitation (Nickel): A Tool For Selecting User Centered Needs Elicitation Methods For Older Adults

During the design process older and/or disabled adults are often left out of the needs elicitation process because many of the User Centered Needs Elicitation Methods (UCNEM) are not accessible to these individuals. This thesis explains the development of NICKEL, a decision-support tool which allows users to determine UCNEMs that fit the human capability of the older and/or disabled adult participants in their study. Three levels of the cognitive, visual, hearing and physical human capabilities required for 19 UCNEMs are determined using a survey and focus group with expert designers/researchers. A user study is carried out to determine the usability and usefulness of NICKEL with novice and expert designers/researchers. Major findings indicated that NICKEL is an easy to use and useful tool for users when determining appropriate UCNEMs for older and disabled adults. Future work could include adding other capabilities such as interpersonal skills and adding new methods to NICKEL.

Needs Investigation Methods Compatible With Key End User Limitation (Nickel): A Tool For Selecting User Centered Needs Elicitation Methods For Older Adults

During the design process older and/or disabled adults are often left out of the needs elicitation process because many of the User Centered Needs Elicitation Methods (UCNEM) are not accessible to these individuals. This thesis explains the development of NICKEL, a decision-support tool which allows users to determine UCNEMs that fit the human capability of the older and/or disabled adult participants in their study. Three levels of the cognitive, visual, hearing and physical human capabilities required for 19 UCNEMs are determined using a survey and focus group with expert designers/researchers. A user study is carried out to determine the usability and usefulness of NICKEL with novice and expert designers/researchers. Major findings indicated that NICKEL is an easy to use and useful tool for users when determining appropriate UCNEMs for older and disabled adults. Future work could include adding other capabilities such as interpersonal skills and adding new methods to NICKEL.

Treating Disabled Adults as Children

Adam Cureton points out that the intuitively plausible claim that it is disrespectful to treat mentally competent adults as if they were children gives rise to a puzzle, within a Kantian framework. It seems possible to fulfill basic Kantian duties of respect toward adults with disabilities (respecting their basic rights, for example, and recognizing their intrinsic worth), while still treating them like children. So how is it disrespectful to offer unwanted paternalistic assistance to a disabled person, or to speak to her condescendingly, if one is otherwise treating her as an end in herself? Cureton answers that Kant not only describes duties of respect toward rational beings in general, but also says that specific forms of respectful treatment are appropriate for particular people because of their situation or station. Cureton proposes that treating disabled adults like children typically involves miscategorizing their “station” of being competent adult decision makers.