Disability Studies Commons^™

Microaggressions And Their Impact On The Neurodiverse College Experience, Audre J. Knecht

Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature indicates that people with invisible disabilities (including neurodiversity) are at an increased risk of ableist microaggressions, especially on college campuses. Neurodivergent college students (N=13) were interviewed about their college experiences at a midwestern university in the United States. While only a few students reported experiencing microaggressions, there were overall themes of mistreatment from their instructors, watching other students experience microaggressions, feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, and the desire to mask neurodivergent traits to feel accepted at their university.

Unveiling The Therapeutic Garden Experience For People With Schizophrenia At A Rehabilitation In North Texas, Jeevita Sai Paspuneti

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Therapeutic gardens have numerous benefits, including pain reduction, improved attention, stress reduction, and medical reduction (Urban et al.,2018). Green spaces have been shown to improve the physical, mental, social, and emotional health and well-being of those staying in healthcare facilities (Urban et al.; Greening,2022). Since the 1980s, research studies have discussed the therapeutic benefits of landscape design at healthcare facilities and the importance of sustainable practices in high-performance landscape design. Many successful and expensive landscape projects have been designed and constructed on hospital sites using healing gardens or sustainable strategies (Kaplan et al. S., 1989). However, researchers suggest additional empirical …

Developing Toolkit For Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder In An Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Brittany J. Johnson Dnp, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Autistic adults are at higher risk of being diagnosed with co-occurring health conditions, and yet they are a vulnerable group for disparities in access and outcomes. One of the key barriers to better outcomes is poor patient-provider communication. This study the use of AASPIRE’s AHAT communication toolkit as a channel between healthcare workers and autistic adults to facilitate their appointments within the outpatient oncology department, as well as assessing healthcare providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in caring for the patients. Sixteen healthcare providers (12 registered nurses and four patient care assistants) completed pre and post intervention surveys and utilized the AHAT …

Suicidality In Autistic College Students, Sam Fisher

McNair Scholars Manuscripts

Autistic college students are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) than the general college student population. Jackson et al. (2018) found that 75% of autistic college students experienced some form of suicidal behavior at some point in their lives. Autistic college students are also more likely to successfully complete suicide on the first attempt. Suicide death is 3-7 times more common among autistic people than the general population (Cervantes et al., 2022). Co-occurring mental health conditions are also extremely prevalent among autistic people and elevate suicide risk. Yet, college campuses are often uninformed or under-informed on …

Effectiveness Of An Inclusive, Small-Group Adapted Aquatics Program On Increasing Vo2max In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Peggy Manuelita Scarborough

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

There is a need to examine the effectiveness of interventions, such as swimming, that are aimed at increasing physical health and developing psychomotor skills in an inclusive setting for children with ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an inclusive, small-group adapted aquatics program on increasing VO₂max in children with ASD. Participants included two 11-year-old children diagnosed with ASD. The study took place over eight weeks and included a six-week Small-Group Adapted Aquatics (SGAA) program. Participants were assessed for VO₂max using the 20m PACER test during week one and week eight …

The Impact Of A Structured Exercise Program On The Pre-Established Exercise Goals For Individuals With Disabilities, Emily C. Batini

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study aimed to identify the efficacy of a structured exercise program emphasizing family involvement and self-determination theory in meeting pre-established fitness goals for adults with disabilities. To measure physical strength and endurance changes, the 6-minute walk test, the curl-up, and push-up tests were utilized. A single-subject changing-criterion design was used in this study over the course of six weeks. Results indicated a positive relationship between the intervention and increased physical strength and endurance, according to testing results. Few participants met the criterion for each phase. However, many did demonstrate an increase in the distance walked, push-ups, and curl-ups completed …

Implementation Of The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research And Education (Aaspire)-Based Guidelines To Improve Perioperative Care Of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kayleigh Brink

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Implementation of the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE)-based Guidelines to Improve Perioperative Care of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kayleigh Brink

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is becoming more prevalent with an increasing need to identify and eliminate barriers to care. Healthcare Providers (HCP) have shown limited knowledge and confidence when managing patients with ASD. The inability to provide specialized care and recognize symptoms of pain or discomfort could result in behavioral difficulties.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to improve confidence among HCPs to identify ASD characteristics and to improve the use of …

An Inquiry Into The Accessibility Of Campus Recreation For College Students With Disabilities, Kayla B. Abrahamson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

University recreation centers are identified as the main sources of physical activity for college students. However, an estimated 68% of college students with disabilities (SWD) use their campus recreational facilities less than five times per year (Yoh et al., 2008). Structural and programmatic accessibility barriers may account for low facility use and corresponding low physical activity levels among college SWD. An accessibility assessment of facilities and programming is warranted to identify priority areas for barrier removal. This collective case study evaluates the accessibility of three campus recreation facilities at 4-year public universities in the southeast U.S. Adopting a mixed-method approach, …

Child Language And Happiness Behaviors: Evaluating The Effects Of Caregiver Coaching, Ashlen Grubbs

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Caregivers of young children who have or are at risk for disabilities may struggle supporting their child’s language development. This study used a tailored rapid coaching intervention to teach a caregiver different naturalistic language interventions that can be used with their child during play. Evidence-based naturalistic skills for increasing child communication were chosen to teach the caregiver based on baseline levels of skills. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored RCI (training and coaching) with caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. Like other studies, this study involved evaluating child-level communication but extended child measures …

Pixels Or People: A Comparison Of The Differenital Effects Of Animated And Human Video Models On Exercise Behaviors For Hgh School Students With Intellectual Disability, Jade Alexis Fulkerson

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Individuals with intellectual disabilities, with or without autism spectrum disorder, often require structured programming to facilitate acquisition of skills. Video modeling, an evidence-based strategy, offers a promising avenue for skill instruction. While research has demonstrated the effectiveness of human-modeled video interventions, limited research has been conducted into the efficacy of animated models. Addressing this gap, the present study employed an alternating treatments design to compare the effectiveness of human and animated models in teaching exercise behaviors to high school students with intellectual disabilities, with or without autism spectrum disorder. Results revealed variability among participants: one individual exhibited superior performance with …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

Is West Virginia A Haven For Disabled Workers? An Evolving Story, James V. Koch, Robert M. Mcnab

Economics Faculty Publications

With a particular focus on West Virginia, this study utilizes state-level monthly panel data over 13 years (2010-2022) to examine the determinants of the rates of application of individuals for Social Security Administration disabled worker income payments (SSDI) and the initial recommendations of those applications for approval by the states. Application rates are particularly sensitive to the educational attainment of state populations and approval rates to economic conditions. However, in contrast to media coverage and public perceptions, both the number of applications for SSDI and approval rates have been declining nationally and in West Virginia.

Advancing Strength-Based Inclusive Mental Health Research In Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Luther Kalb, Joan B. Beasley

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Acknowledgments, Matt Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Decolonizing Disability In Social Work: A Conversation On Colonialism, Autumn Asher Blackdeer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The present work seeks to prompt a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of disability within social work through three main goals: a) Problematize the dominant disability discourse in social work, b) Illuminate present day manifestations of settler colonialism and their intersection with disability in social work, and c) Introduce decolonization and its compatibility with disability justice to reckon with disability and colonialism in social work. First, the present work will illuminate social work’s dedication to the medical model, evidence-based practice, and hollow notions of empowerment and inclusion. Next, in viewing intersections of ableism with other forms of oppression, this work …

Caring For The Caregiver: A Study On The Quality Of Life Of Informal Caregivers Of Aging And Elderly Adults With Down Syndrome, Isabel E. Latorre-Lagos

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research studied the quality of life of informal caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome. Prior research indicates some degree of deteriorating Quality of Life (QoL) for caregivers, however, there is no empirical research isolating the aspect QoL affected. This study seeks to research the following two questions: 1) What are the trends in the four domains that influence Quality of Life, both positively and negatively, of informal caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome? and 2)What supports do caregivers of aging and elderly adults with Down syndrome want to improve their own Quality of …

Neurodivergent Student Success In Postsecondary Education: Attitudes Toward Current Accommodations, Alexis T. Cunha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigated the perceptions of accommodation efficacy held by students with neurodevelopmental disabilities at UCF (the University of Central Florida) to understand whether the current accommodations are adequate for those accessing them. Prior research has found that students with disabilities face many barriers when accessing proper accommodations.

Furthermore, even when they access them, the accommodations may fall short of what is needed. An online survey study was conducted to investigate student usage of and attitudes toward accommodations. The survey comprised five main sections: Demographics, Perceptions of Accommodations/Accommodations Received, Willingness to Disclose Disability Scale (WDD), Attitudes Toward Requesting Accommodations Scale …

The Silent Scream, Christine Roberts Gettys

Liberal Studies (MA) Final Essays

Abstract: The Silent Scream (a memoir) is one woman’s journey across six decades, dealing with physical and mental health conditions. Using vignettes and stream-of-consciousness, the author allows the reader to share lived experiences, demonstrating the interplay between cerebral palsy and childhood trauma. She analyzes 1) language development, 2) the power of biopsychosocial factors to create, intensify, recognize, manage, and mitigate stress, 3) the power of learning to identify and meet needs, and 4) the effectiveness of healthcare delivery and services. She advocates for trauma-informed and life-long learning, ongoing counseling, and increased awareness and proposes that engagement is its own outcome. …

Exploring Belonging And Success In First Generation College Students With Disabilities, Cael Sinclair, Molly Taylor, Sharon Zumbrunn

Undergraduate Research Posters

As colleges create initiatives to admit and accommodate marginalized students, the struggles of those marginalized students are becoming increasingly impactful and present. Research suggests that students’ sense of social belonging is often connected to student academic success (Connell & Wellborn 1991). However, marginalized students often experience a lower sense of belonging, particularly students who are the first in their families to go to college (Stebleton et al. 2014), and those who identify as disabled (Leake & Stodden 2014). The present study evaluated how the strengths and experiences of first-generation college students with disabilities impacted their belonging and academic success in …

Getting To Disability Justice: A Critical Conceptual Review Of Disability Models In U.S. Social Work, Kathryn M. Wright

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In 1983, scholar Mike Oliver coined the term the “social model of disability.” While the medical model presents disability as an inherent, immutable, and pathological defect, the social model suggests that disability emerges from external and social barriers (Oliver, 1983). Little research within social work has engaged with sociocultural paradigms of disability and how they might impact social work practice. American social workers generally approach disability as a biological category and an obvious deficit. This paper draws attention to the need to analyze the category of disability through social and cultural lenses in social work research and practice. Via a …

Global Deaf And Disability-Led Partnerships For Accessible Emergency Response And Humanitarian Action, Alina A. Engelman, Joe Booze, Alexia Izquierdo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Disability-serving non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in fostering care networks and supporting humanitarian action for disabled people before and during emergencies, particularly in the absence of targeted philanthropic and governmental support. However, relatively few NGOs serving disabled people are led or operated by people with disabilities, especially by disabled women. This analysis, based on survey and interview data with leadership, explores the impact of two disability-led operations. Findings have profound implications for how social work practice can center disability justice both in preparing for and responding to emergencies. This paper assesses the needs and impact of two …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Effectiveness And Feasibilty Of The Peers® Intervention In A Rural/Non-Metropolitan Setting, Blake Elvrum Warner

Dissertations and Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Autistic adolescents often experience a myriad of mental health difficulties which are worsened by lower overall levels of social support. Higher rates of mental health difficulties are reported in rural and non-metropolitan areas where resources are less readily available. Interventions aimed at increasing social skills in autistic adolescents have proven to be an effective way to increase levels of social interaction and support. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) intervention was developed …

Assessment Of Instrument Exploring Underwear Preferences Of Incontinent Geriatric Women In Assisted Living, Cassandra M. Stewart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urinary incontinence is a urologic condition commonly occurring in geriatric individuals and often results in disability. This affects not only physical functioning, but also psychological and emotional implications. Prior research focused on prevention and using smart technology to improve the current products available to help manage urinary incontinence. Little research has been completed to examine the preferences of geriatric individuals and assess what they are looking for in incontinence products. The purpose of the study was to create an instrument to assess the individual preferences of older adults for these products in a community living environment. Research questions included: (1) …

Coming To Your Library Soon: Make All The Things Accessible!, James M. Day, Cody Michaels

Publications

Web accessibility refers to the practice of ensuring that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed in a way that allows people with disabilities to use them effectively.

Understanding The Effects Of Organizational And Individual Level Motivations On Impression Formation For Persons With Disabilities In The Workplace, Lauren Francesca Luchetti

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, organizations have begun paying more attention to hiring people with disabilities because of evidence supporting direct and indirect benefits to the organization. The business case for disability outlines the economic benefits for hiring those with disabilities, such as lower rates of turnover and absenteeism. Despite the motivations to hire those with disabilities, this population continues to suffer from higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. The current project attempts to shed light on the mechanisms that can improve the effectiveness of hiring motivations and disability hiring rates. In two experimental studies, the effect of the business case on …

Empowering Children With Special Needs (Cwsn) In Computer Science: An Interactive Hand Gestures Approach To Number Conversion Teaching, Renjith P.R., Jeeva Jose

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

It is essential for teachers to effectively address the diverse needs of students within the classroom environment, encompassing variations in IQ, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical proficiency. Ensuring the inclusion of CwSN (Children with Special Needs) is imperative to prevent social division in the classroom. While the department offers accommodations such as scribes, interpreters, or extra time for examinations, these measures may not fully address the specific needs of CwSN. This study explores the efficacy of employing hand gestures as a teaching tool for CwSN in computer science, particularly in the realm of number conversions. A machine learning-based tool …

Disability Representation In Contemporary Playwriting, Caroline Hull

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Is it possible for a playwright to authentically capture the disabled experience without it becoming privy to stereotypes or utilized as a catalyst for the plot? The thesis aims to challenge the prevalent notion that making the disability intrinsic to a theatrical plot is essential for authentic representation, and instead asserts that authentic portrayal of the disabled experience can exist independently of making the disability a central plot device. To support this claim, In Chapter One, I engage with relevant work in the field of playwriting and narrative media studies, such as the workshop "Inaccessible: Writing Plays with Characters who …

Inclusifying The Rehearsal Room: Creating Accessible And Accommodating Theatrical Spaces For Young People, Christian Anderson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

In youth theatre spaces, it is up to the facilitators to discover and create new ways to include more students, especially those who previously didn't have a seat at the table. Making rehearsal spaces inclusive and accessible to all starts by establishing inclusion as an innate practice integrated into every step of the process. This thesis focuses on creating inclusive and accessible rehearsal spaces outside of the traditional classroom for young people ages 8-22, specifically in community theatre and collegiate spaces. The director's role is explored in two projects: Home of the Brave, a Theatre for Young Audiences production …

Lessons From Critical And Transnational Disability Perspectives For Social Work, Katie Savin, Eunkyung Chung, Nev Jones, Paul Sterzing, Vandana Chaudhry

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper calls on social work to incorporate anti-oppressive paradigms in research, practice, education, and policy by developing a critical understanding of disability. Critical disability studies is an interdisciplinary field that challenges hegemonic framings that individualize and pathologize disability and recognizes the ways in which ableism intersects with other systems of oppression. Transnational disability studies provides explicit attention to the power dynamics between the Global North and the Global South. Adopting a perspective grounded in these two frameworks offers direction for social workers to apply the principles of disability justice in their choices for clinical interventions, policy goals, classroom strategies, …

The Potential Of Humor To Joyously Dismantle Ableism+: Considerations For Social Workers, Mia Ocean

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Social workers are often well-positioned but not adequately equipped to disrupt, unsettle, or counteract ableism. Humor is one approach to disability justice work that can move the social work profession forward in a novel way. Within this practice brief, I use first-person narrative to illustrate the potential and limitations of humor to dismantle ableism+ in everyday interactions between social workers, clinical social work practice, and policy transformation. First, I share an example of how to use humor as a direct, call-in strategy to confront social worker-initiated ableist interactions. Second, I describe how a mixed disabled/abled couple can laugh together at …