Search

Despite growing enrollment of university students with disabilities, they have not achieved academic parity with their non-disabled peers. This study matched 71 first-year university students with disabilities and students without disabilities on three variables: high school average when admitted to university, gender, and program of study. Both groups of students were compared on three measures of academic performance: GPA, failed courses, and dropped courses after first year of university. The relationship between accommodations and academic performance was also analyzed for students with disabilities. Even when matched on admission average, gender, and program of study, students with disabilities had a significantly lower GPA and were more likely to fail courses in their first year than their peers without disabilities. While note-taking in the classroom was associated with being less likely to drop a course, it was also associated with poorer academic performance, as was using a calculator or alternate format during exams. The more accommodations students lost in the transition from high school, the worse they performed academically at university. Students who lost human assistant support in the classroom and the use of a computer or a memory aid during exams had a significantly lower GPA and were more likely to fail courses in their first year of university compared with students who did not lose these accommodations. These findings have implications for accessibility offices and universities in supporting the access needs and academic success of students with disabilities.

Although more students with disabilities are attending university than ever before, many still have difficulties with the transition from high school. Transition research has extensively examined the factors and barriers that support or hinder successful transitions for students with disabilities. However, there has been little explicit focus on the intersection of experiences with transition and academic accommodations on the overall experience of students with disabilities at university. This study interviewed six participants with various disabilities who transitioned directly from high school to university. Thematic analysis showed that: (a) first-year students are unprepared for the bureaucratic nature of the accommodation process, but ultimately find it fair and non-stigmatizing; (b) first-year students discover that they have to play a more active role in their accommodation planning but ultimately find that this role, and the accommodations they receive, positively supports their autonomy and disability identity at university; and (c) some university instructors exhibit significantly negative attitudes towards students requiring accommodations. These findings have practice implications for disability service professionals in universities supporting the transition needs of students with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: A troubling phenomenon for caregivers of elderly parents is their tendency to tell the same stories over and over. Repeated storytelling raises concerns about cognitive decline and memory loss and is often considered a disturbing harbinger of the possible onset of dementia. Purpose: This research aims to show that repeatedly told stories are important vehicles for intergenerational transmission of values. Methods: Using a narrative inquiry approach, this research involved structured interviews with middle‐aged adult children, asking them to tell us the stories they felt they were hearing or had heard repeatedly from their aging parent. Interviews were taped and transcribed, then coded for temporality, purpose and content. Results: Based on 126 stories told to 13 participants, it can be confirmed that there are approximately ten stories that older parents repeatedly tell to their adult children, mostly about experiences in their teens and twenties. The majority of the stories are told for the purpose of consolidating the elder's identity or sharing wisdom with the adult child. Key themes in the stories include seeking a better life, youthful fun, upholding standards, sticking together and doing what's right. These themes reflect the significant events and prevailing values of the early to mid‐twentieth century. Conclusion: This research offers a more constructive way for caregivers to hear the repeated stories told by their aging parents and to offer their loved one the gift of knowing they have been seen and heard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined population level data on unmet needs for adults with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities, using the National Population Health Survey. The study revealed that disabled adults (aged 20-64) reported more than three times as many unmet health care needs as their non-disabled counterparts. Even after controlling for the effects of age, gender and poor health, disability had a significant effect on the perception of unmet needs, particularly disabilities associated with pain, hearing impairment and emotional problems. The greatest deterrent to receiving needed services among individuals with disabilities was cost. Despite being publicly funded and thereby presumably equally accessible to all, the health care system in Canada fails to meet the needs of some of its most vulnerable constituents--adults with disabilities. (Contains 7 tables.)

Context: Farming is often imagined to be a serene and idyllic business based on historical images of a man, a horse, and a plow. However, machinery and equipment on farms, such as older tractors, grain dryers, and vacuum pumps, can have noise levels, which may be dangerous to hearing with prolonged, unprotected exposure. Purpose: This qualitative study in Ontario, Canada, explored the challenges and coping strategies experienced by dairy farmers with self-reported hearing loss and communication difficulties. Through indepth interviews, 13 farmers who experience significant hearing loss were questioned about the challenges they face as a result of hearing loss and the strategies they use to overcome or compensate for problems. Findings: The 2 major challenges encountered by dairy farmers with a hearing loss were: (1) obtaining information from individuals, within groups, and through electronic media; and (2) working with animals, machinery, and noise. To cope with these challenges, participants used strategies identified as problem and emotion focused. Conclusions: Four themes arose from analysis of the challenges encountered and strategies used: (1) Hearing loss is experienced as a "familiar," but "private," problem for dairy farmers; (2) Communication difficulties can negatively affect the quality of relationships on the farm; (3) Safety and risk management are issues when farming with a hearing loss; and (4) The management or control of excessive noise is a complex problem, because there are no completely reliable yet practical solutions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe factors contributing to the decision-making processes of elderly persons as they formulate advance directives in long-term care. Design and Methods: This study was qualitative, based on grounded theory. Recruitment was purposive and continued until saturation was reached. Nine residents of a long-term-care facility were interviewed by use of a semistructured format. Open and axial coding of interview transcripts were carried out and the factors contributing to the decision process were defined. Results: Elders based their decisions primarily on information gathered from personal experiences with death and illness. They obtained very little information from professionals or the media. Major factors considered by elders as they weighed information included spiritual, emotional, and social considerations. Implications: The factors considered during the decision-making process were oriented more toward the individual's experiences and less on contributions from objective sources than anticipated. Decision making for advance directives is a highly personalized process. The approach of health professionals when assisting with end-of-life decision making should be planned with these contributing factors in mind, so that the services offered to the individuals in this population best meet their needs.

A phenomenological study of seven teenagers with physical disabilities attending a regular secondary school focused on social integration and the factors influencing it. Results showed extrinsic and intrinsic factors that facilitate or limit integration. Occupational therapists can ensure that schools are inclusive and that clients are capable of participating fully. (Contains 50 references and the interview questions.) (JOW)

Presents a conceptual model for understanding occupational therapy performance and a model for practice. Evaluates both models on nine criteria, finding the conceptual model largely consistent but the practice model having technical, structural, and conceptual discrepancies. (SK)

The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with the use and costs of nonprescription medications among people with spinal cord injury. Observational design; a cross-sectional online survey. Community in Canada. Individuals with spinal cord injury (N=160). Not applicable. Not applicable. A total of 160 individuals participated in this study. Of all study participants, 83% reported that they used at least 1 nonprescription medication over the last 12 months. On average, participants spent $52 per month on nonprescription medications. The average use and monthly expenditure did not differ significantly by age, sex, or injury parameters. Vitamins and minerals were most commonly used and constituted 62% of all nonprescription medications listed by the participants. Musculoskeletal issues were the most common health problems for which nonprescription medications were used. Nonprescription medications are a common part of therapeutic drug regimens for people with spinal cord injuries and are purchased as an out-of-pocket expense. These products may or may not have established benefits. Knowledge about the use of nonprescription medications may help prescribers to improve drug safety, medication affordability, and quality of pharmacotherapy for patients with spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe factors contributing to the decision-making processes of elderly persons as they formulate advance directives in long-term care. Design and Methods: This study was qualitative, based on grounded theory. Recruitment was purposive and continued until saturation was reached. Nine residents of a long-term-care facility were interviewed by use of a semistructured format. Open and axial coding of interview transcripts were carried out and the factors contributing to the decision process were defined. Results: Elders based their decisions primarily on information gathered from personal experiences with death and illness. They obtained very little information from professionals or the media. Major factors considered by elders as they weighed information included spiritual, emotional, and social considerations. Implications: The factors considered during the decision-making process were oriented more toward the individual's experiences and less on contributions from objective sources than anticipated. Decision making for advance directives is a highly personalized process. The approach of health professionals when assisting with end-of-life decision making should be planned with these contributing factors in mind, so that the services offered to the individuals in this population best meet their needs. Key Words: End of life, Advance care planning, Theoretical model, Grounded theory