Proceedings of the World Disability & Rehabilitation Conference
ISSN 2513-2687 (Online) The Proceedings of the World Disability & Rehabilitation Conference are open-access double blind peer-reviewed conference proceeding which publishes original scientific research papers, reviews and case studies related to Disability, Rehabilitation and related fields. Learn more about WDRC Conference
The Conference Proceedings of the World Disability & Rehabilitation Conference is entirely Open Access, which means that all published content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this Proceedings journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access. Authors who publish with Conference Proceedings agree to the following terms: Authors retain copyright and grant the Proceedings of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this conference proceedings. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the proceeding's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this conference proceedings. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Licensing Published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
EXPLORING THE PERCEPTIONS OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PEOPLE ON THE INCLUSIVITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA
Despite efforts towards accessible public transportation, there is sparse knowledge that reviews the impact or perception of these efforts from the voice of individuals with various types of impairments on various types of available transport modes. This limits the development of user needs-led interventions and subsequently impacts their socio-economic participation. The perceptions of working-age users with impairments on each land-based public transport mode, (i) Mini-bus Taxi, (ii) E-hailing or App-based taxi services, (iii) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), (iv) Gautrain-rail, were co-created through a phenomenological lens. To manage the scope of the study, the views of persons who are Deaf and those with hearing, physical and visual impairments were only considered for this study. In-depth interviews were the tools that were used to generate data from the respondents. Respondents had a common view that they still feel excluded in communication, physical infrastructure, and personnel and co-passenger attitudes. Participants observed positive traits, indicating what is working while also shredding their regular commuting challenges, thus frustrating their socio-economic participation. In conclusion, participants demonstrated a keen interest in sharing concrete ideas for improvements on each transport mode, with key measures highlighting subsidies for extra costs due to financial inequities, improved communication through technology, over and above continuous monitoring that is inclusive of user voices.
Copyright (c) 2024 ZYZ Nzo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UNVEILING AND GENERATING AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM IN PUNE DISTRICT IN INDIA
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) It is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Children and adults on the spectrum find difficulty in communication, play, understanding emotions, unfamiliar situations and change in routine. The prevalence of autism has been increasing over the past few years. 1 in 68 children in India are autistic. As per World Health Organization, Care for autistics needs to be accompanied by actions at community and societal levels for greater accessibility, inclusivity and support. Scientifically backed sustained early interventions can have a positive impact on the quality of life of the individual and their families. A general public awareness in an urban setup in Pune was assessed and information about autism was shared in direct interviews and awareness sessions. The survey included testing the general awareness, signs and symptoms, knowledge about care and inclusion, reducing stigma and debunking common myths about autism and understanding if their school or office environment was inclusive for autism. Coefficient of Autism Awareness was calculated, it revealed that the awareness does not have any statistical correlation with age, education, income, profession. Awareness should be targeted at all levels of society, regardless of demographic factors. This inclusive approach is essential to ensure that information about autism reaches individuals across diverse backgrounds and demographics. Inclusive Education is deemed to be best foot forward for sustainability. However, the diverse individual needs of the population have to be understood in depth. Autism being one of key diversities impacting education of many, needs more awareness from policy makers to implementers.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mrs. Seema Gunendra Patil, Dr. Vijaya Deshmukh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RISING A STAR WITH JAIPONG DANCE IN CEREBRAL PALSY: A CASE REPORT
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that results in abnormal posture and movement, caused by non-progressive damage to the developing brain. Movement disorders that can be seen include spasticity, flaccidity, impaired coordination and balance. Permanent abnormalities in cerebral palsy are not progressive, but can undergo changes with age and the growth process. Therefore, the role of a physiatrist is to bring these changes towards benefits. As a physiatrist, providing therapy for cerebral palsy to transcend their limitations to be able to perform activity and participation well in life is essential. One of the recommended therapies for person with cerebral palsy is full-body movement exercises, such as dance therapy. Dance therapy can be an option with many benefits to help person with cerebral palsy cope with their disability, as well as a source of recreation and social activity. Dance skills can increase self-confidence while improving the function of limbs. One of Indonesia's traditional cultural dances is the Jaipong dance, which originated in West Java, Indonesia. Jaipong dance performances require good coordination between dance movements and music to produce the beauty and elegance of traditional cultural dance. The application of dance therapy in the form of Jaipong dance for cerebral palsy aims to improve motor function, balance, walking patterns, and cardiovascular capacity, with the ultimate goal of helping person's participation in society. In conclusion, the application of Jaipong dance intervention as dance therapy for cerebral palsy can provide many benefits as well as rising a new star as an effort to preserve traditional Indonesian culture, regardless of one's disability status.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ellyana Sungkar, Mellavenia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SOCIAL INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NORTHERN CHARS (RIVER ISLANDS) IN BANGLADESH: FRIENDSHIP’S EXPERIENCE
The riverine northern ‘Chars’ (river islands) of Bangladesh are not static & have minimal connectivity with mainland areas. Superstition, lack of education, lack of infrastructure and adverse climatic conditions make life difficult for the inhabitants in these hard to reach areas where persons with disabilities are far behind to get their citizen rights and live a dignified life. Still they are excluded from mainstream activities and basic services due to remoteness, such as – health, education, livelihood, empowerment, social safety schemes etc. offered by the government and other non-government service providers. With the aim to improve the living condition of persons with disabilities in chars, Friendship Inclusive Citizenship launched a pilot project with support from the Ineke Feitz Stitching & Friendship Netherlands in 15 chars of Gaibandha and Kurigram in 2020. Friendship is implementing the ‘Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)’ approach through sensitization, need-based therapeutic interventions, assistive devices, build capacities of caregivers/community volunteers/staff, form self-help groups (SHG) of persons with disabilities, inclusive education, livelihood training, referral and advocacy with local and national level stakeholders. Positive changes started to get visible around awareness among communities to realize their roles/responsibilities towards persons with disabilities, rights and available services for persons with disabilities etc. Persons with disabilities are receiving disability cards, allowances, assistive devices and therapies at government disability service centers with support from Friendship. Children with disabilities are enrolling in mainstream schools, SHGs are learning advocacy & leadership skills and govt. authorities are realizing their roles to serve these people in chars. These interventions are empowering persons with disabilities in remote chars to get their rights and services through concept of “Reaching the unreached” and “Leave no one behind”.
SOCIAL INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Copyright (c) 2024 Rahman AT, Shihab AM, Zerin N https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF REHABILITATION: PRIORITIZING UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM FOR THE PREPARATION OF PRACTITIONERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIELD
This conceptual paper expounds on the reflections from the author’s plenary speech and addresses the educational underpinnings of the limitations in rehabilitation services globally, but particularly in the Global South. There are disparities in the availability of post-secondary training programs in graduate and undergraduate rehabilitation disciplines all over the world, as compared to the plethora of medical training programs within universities internationally. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework that is a vital reminder of the intricate, interdisciplinary nature of disability interventions. These treatment interventions constitute collaborations between preventative, curative, and rehabilitative health professionals within in-patient and outpatient settings. Yet rehabilitation professionals such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, mental health counselors, and physiatrists are inadequate in number in many parts of the world – making it impossible to meet the global health needs of patients who would benefit from their services. Social, cultural, political, and institutional barriers to the proliferation of rehabilitation practitioners, as evidenced by the research literature from these parts of the world, are addressed. In particular, an argument is made for more entry-level rehabilitation clinicians that are trained at the undergraduate level because of their unique preparedness to meet a variety of patient needs competently and promptly. Some foundational principles, global rehabilitation services issues, and future research implications of undergraduate rehabilitation education program development internationally are discussed.
Copyright (c) 2024 Abigail Akande https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
APPRAISAL OF ACCESSIBLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION INSTITUTES IN INDIA
India has ratified The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) and the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006). It is committed to bringing people with disabilities to the mainstream, ensuring their human rights. India has taken many steps on legislative and executive fronts to address the needs of persons with disabilities post United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Article 24 of the UNCRPD provides for accessible, quality, and inclusive education to persons with disabilities as their right so that they can develop their full potential and talent to live independently and with dignity. Education for people with disabilities has been a challenge. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 in India, provides for an inclusive education and accessible built environment on educational campuses. Adopting inclusive approaches is imperative to achieve the 'education for all' goal, yet existing built environment fails to provide an inclusive and accessible built environment in India. Non- implementation of existing guidelines for accessible built infrastructure may be the cause behind this state. Architectural education institutes make a strong case to study, these institute as living labs, sensitize students about design solutions for the accessibility needs of all users in classrooms, laboratories, library, washrooms, canteen, hostels, parking facilities, etc. This paper investigates the status of accessibility in built environment in select institutes of architectural education in India by recording user response for provisions, level of service, satisfaction, etc. to appraise the on ground situation of architectural institutions. The outcome of research includes set of interventions for old and new architectural education institutions to make the built environment universally accessible.
Copyright (c) 2024 Meenu Varshney, Professor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
An investigation of clothing related barriers faced by women with disabilities
Clothing can serve as a means of conveying to others the equal status in life which disabled women enjoy, as this will promote their self-confidence, self-esteem and make them feel that they are also a part of the community. When taking a holistic approach towards disability rehabilitation and implementation of an acceptable social model in disability care, it becomes apparent that the clothing related issues of women living with disability have not been addressed properly. Therefore it has become an essential need with a high demand among disabled women to fulfil in the current day society. The main objective of the study was to identify the clothing related barriers faced by those women living with disabilities in Sri Lanka and to make recommendations for further research. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to identify the clothing barriers. Following the purposive sampling technique, ten respondents were selected. Content analysis technique was used for data analysis. Key barriers were identified and needed adaptive clothing types were categorized based on the women’s activities and daily routine. It was found that the Sri Lankan retail sector did not cater to most of these requirements while adaptive clothing brands did not cater to some of the major problems faced by women with disabilities. Further studies are recommended relating to the development of new adaptive clothing products.
Copyright (c) 2019 Proceedings of the World Disability & Rehabilitation Conference
LATENT DEVIANCY: PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The relevance of the latent deviance problem is associated with the acute need to explain the psychological content of socialization disorders in pre-adolescence. The large number of age-related problems of pre-school and primary school age in particular determines the variety of specific configurations of the failure of the child in solving these problems at every stage of development. Polymorphism of the clinical disontogenesis also contributes to this variability. This situation necessitates the search for integrative structures, reflecting the emerging failure of the preschool and primary school children with disabilities, and the risks of further violations of socialization and development of deviations. The phenomenon of latent deviance, acting as a premorbid for deviations can be considered as an integrative formation. In the study of psychological content of latent deviance is of great importance the anticipatory competence study, which is considered a significant indicator of deviations in adolescents and adults. The study of anticipation in children with certain types of developmental disorders suggests its
COMPARING HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN THE TRANSTIBIAL PROSTHETIC WEARERS AND THE CONTROL SUBJECTS AND ASSESSING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY
Hamstring flexibility is necessary for mobility in transtibial prosthetic wearers. The aim of this study was to compare hamstring flexibility of transtibial prosthetic wearers and non-amputees and to assess factors associated with hamstring flexibility. A descriptive comparative study was carried out with participation of 50 male transtibial amputees who were prosthetic wearers and 50 male control subjects who were non-amputees. Study population mean age was 55.66 years (SD ±11.455) in transtibial prosthetic wearers while it was 51.28 years ( SD ±10.784) in control subjects. Data related to amputation were collected by using an interview-administered questionnaire and hamstring flexibility was assessed using the back saver sit and reach test. Statistical analysis was done by using statistical package for social sciences 16.0 version. The study revealed that, hamstring flexibility has significant relationship (p=0.001) with transtibial prosthetic wearers and control subjects. Further, the younger age (p=0.002) and participation of prosthetic rehabilitation programme (p=0.005) have significant relationship with hamstring flexibility. whereas it has no significant relationship (p>0.05) with educational level, engaging in sports activity, reason for amputation, post prosthetic period, timing of wear the prosthesis and duration of participation of prosthetic rehabilitation programme. . It can be concluded that hamstring flexibility of transtibial prosthetic wearers is lower than non-amputees. In addition to that, age below fifty and Prosthetic rehabilitation programme was associated with better hamstring flexibility among transtibial prosthetic wearers.
IN DEPTH STUDY OF EPIDEMIOLOGY IN TRAUMATIC SPINAL CORD INJURY PATIENTS PRESENTED TO THE MAIN SPINAL REHABILITATION UNIT IN SRI LANKA
Spinal cord injury (SCI) has high mortality and morbidity. Prevention is the best way to reduce the burden on health sector and society. Lack of a large scale referral study on epidemiology of SCI in Sri Lanka, is a barrier to improve methods of prevention. A descriptive (prospective) study was conducted in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama, where randomly selected 42 patients diagnosed of traumatic spinal injuries were presented with an interviewer-administered questionnaire after consent. Mean age of the study population was 32.74 years (SD 11.94), where 86.36% of them were males. 61.9% were married. 85.7% were occupied, out of which the majority had engaged in elementary occupations (33.34%). Only 28.6% had secondary or higher education. Most of the injuries (44.4%) were due to falls occurred during occupational activities. Other significant etiologies contributed include falls during recreational / house hold activities and road traffic accidents with 22.7% and 22.2% respectively. Interestingly 78.94% of the injuries occurred during weekdays while 47.37% of the injuries took place during routine working hours (8.00 am to 4.00 pm). The majority had thoracic spinal injuries (55.56%), while 33.2% and 11.2% had cervical and lumbosacral injuries respectively. 52.4% had severe presentation with complete ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) level “A” injuries. The final analysis indicates that traumatic SCI are more common among young males with low level of education, who engaged in elementary occupations. Hence these populations should be mainly targeted when planning methods of SCI prevention in Sri Lanka.
A PROFILE OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: IDENTIFYING UNMET NEEDS IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Provision of care to a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) requires individualized assessment and management of all associated problems. They need special education and their families need social support to face day-to-day demands of caregiving. We reviewed the characteristics of 375 children with CP attending Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya to identify their health problems and current level of health and social care utilization. Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews with caregivers or extracted from child’s medical records. The results revealed that approximately 2/3rd of the children had spastic quadriplegic CP and 54% had some co-morbidity. The majority (30.9%) had 3-4 functional problems. Problems with mobility (77.6%), social activities of daily living (69.3%), bladder/bowel function (70.4%) and speech (57.9%) were the common functional problems. Learning difficulties were reported in 29.3%. Nearly 17% had behavioural and emotional problems. Approximately 98% of the children received physiotherapy. Despite higher numbers having problems with speech and activities of daily living, only 48% received speech therapy and less than 10% received occupational therapy. Among pre-school and school age children, over 70% had never attended school. Only 17.2% of school attendees received special education. Although nearly 70% was from rural, low socio-economic backgrounds, only 12.8% received any form of external financial support. We conclude that children with CP and their families have many unmet needs in the areas of therapy, special education and social support. These needs should be addressed adequately in developing long-term care plans for children with CP, in order to achieve better outcomes.
ENSURING RIGHTS OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES (WWD) IN BANGLADESH: LAWS AND CONCERNS
People with disabilities are in most cases treated as subject of donations and social welfare. In Bangladesh, though approximately 15 million people suffer from various disabilities and a large portion of population of Bangladesh comprises of women with disabilities (WWD) living in an environment and society dominated by male. They are been discriminated against, socially marginalized and do not have access to basic social services. Moreover they are been victims of different crimes including domestic violence, rape or dowry which inflicts them severe loss and sufferings. Considering this situation, this article firstly aims to find out the status of WWD under human rights perspective considering major national and international instruments. Then it tries to review the ambit of legal protection of the women disabled persons in Bangladesh along with its major defaults. Lastly it recommends how the rights of WWD can fully be warranted in reference to best practices followed by other progressive states.
SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF DISABLED STUDENTS’ INTEGRATION IN THE INCLUSIVE GROUPS
The aim of the research: Training in the inclusive higher school environment supposes joint training of higher school students with functional limitations, with other students in the integrated group. Social and psychological aspects of this phenomenon are studied insufficiently. In particular, the study of the acceptance degree of a student with disabilities in an inclusive group needs special attention. The indicators of sociometric status of a student with disabilities can help determine how well they are included in the team, how well they are accepted in the group. They also help assess the effectiveness of integration into the society at large. We should also note that the success of the actions of young people with disabilities will largely depend on their willingness to be active, able to initiate their own development, and act as a source and the cause of their own behavior, to overcome the negative impact of a situation of uncertainty, i.e. on the ability to self-determination. Methods: The sociometric test for the diagnostics of emotional links between members of the inclusive group, tests, studying personal self-actualization, method of studying the training motivation in higher school. Main results: we identified specificity of emotional interaction between the members of an inclusive group. The features of the personal potential of students with disabilities in comparison with healthy students were shown. Differences in educational motivation are presented. Conclusions: The position of a student with disabilities in the inclusive group has sociometric status of the one "who joined" or "isolate". That is the level of unity of inclusive groups is insufficient. The level of self-actualization of students in the inclusive groups depends on various conditions within the group and on the specific health problems. At the same time students with disabilities devote a driving position to motivation of acquiring knowledge and mastering profession in the hierarchy of motives.
CATEGORISATION OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES TO HELP WORK IN INDUSTRY
People with disabilities (PWDs) account for about 15% of the world population, and they need to be provided with opportunities for comfortable living. There are reported models to categorise PWDs, but none support to identify their capabilities and limitations. This has limited their employability with their residual capabilities depriving them of an independent life. Literature suggests a multi-dimensional model to enable them to be employed. Thus, the aim of this research was to categorise people with physical disabilities (PPDs) based on their capabilities for performing work activities in industry. First, typical manual work-tasks in industry were identified from work activities prescribed in Pre-determined Motion Time Systems (PMTS). Then, Ranges of Motion (ROM) associated with each of the body regions were captured and refined using a walkthrough and interview approach with Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons (n = 6) and Prothetists and Orthotists (n = 3). Body regions and joints both in the upper and lower extremities required for performing work activities in industry were identified. Finally, ROM required for performing PMTS activities were mapped by selecting a sample of PPDs (n = 92). This categorisation is expected to be used by potential employers to recruit PPDs based on their residual capabilities to perform work-tasks, identify training needs of PPDs and to decide on assistive devices and special facilities to help them independently carry out work activities. Further research is needed to use the categorisation in an industrial setting to evaluate its feasibility as a tool to help recruitment of PPDs.
TEACHERS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR ACTIVITY IN THE CONTEXT OF INCLUSIVE PRACTICE
The arrangement of available and quality education for individuals with special educational needs is a necessary condition for such people’s successful socialization in society. The development of inclusion in education is one of the priority directions of public policy in Russia nowadays. However, there are various barriers that hinder inclusive education implementation. One of such barriers is unavailability of teaching staff to work in new conditions. The authors carried out a survey of teachers to reveal difficulties they experience in the course of entering an inclusive environment. Such obstacles as teachers’ insufficient competence in the sphere of psychophysiological features of individuals with special educational needs; lack of technologies aimed to train individuals with special educational needs; psychological unavailability have been revealed. Main professional difficulties that teachers meet working at all stages of training (preschool, school, and higher school) connected with emotional rejection and knowledge of peculiarities of individuals with special educational needs are described. The results of the survey testify to the fact that teachers have embraced ideas and principles of inclusive education in Russia. The obtained data prove the necessity of teachers’ vocational and psychological training for an appropriate work in the conditions of inclusive education.
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR: PSYCHOLOGICAL PREVENTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
The purpose of the study is to carry out a retrospective analysis of the basic concepts, theoretical approaches to the prevention and correction of deviant behavior that exists in modern psychology. The main method of the research is a retrospective analysis of the literature. This study shows the direction of social and psychological care for adolescents with deviant behavior which include prevention (warning, cautioning) and intervention (overcoming, correction, and rehabilitation). In conclusion, various social institutions regulate deviant behavior of an individual. Public exposure may have the character of legal sanctions, medical treatment, social support and psychological assistance. Due to the complex nature of behavioral disorders their prevention requires overcoming an organized system of social and psychological influences. Psychological prevention and intervention are seen as areas of rehabilitation, correctional and correctional-educational work with individuals who have behavioral problems, the main purpose of which is to overcome the disorders of mental development. Implementation of effective psychological prevention and correction of deviant behavior of a person occurs only when a person turns it into operation, when a person makes a personal choice, sets new goals. In order to overcome the deviant behavior, people should be able to make choices, to assess the consequences of the decisions to regulate emotional processes accompanying behavior, i.e. to organize their own livelihoods with generally accepted norms, which ultimately helps to reduce existing strains of personality as well as its active socialization.
TREATMENT EDUCATION OF LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICAL DISORDERS’S CONSTRUCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LOCAL BRAIN LESIONS
There is a need to form rehabilitation and correctional programmes for dyslexic people. This research aim is to study the problem of treatment of lexical and grammatical disorders’ formations in a daily care hospital treatment conditions. The speech function of patients with local brain lesions was analysed using method of dominant verbal functions’ evaluation (V.M. Schklovsky, T.G. Vizel). Treatment of disorders of lexical and grammatical constructions was deducted by the specially developed model of a treatment education in group and individual sessions with the use of different methods and assumptions chosen in accordance with the condition of the speech function of patients. The data analysis of the follow up speech function assessment after treatment education has revealed the significant improvement of the level of grammatical speech construction. Results of the research aimed to investigate the effectivity of the model of treatment of lexical and grammatical constructions in patients with local brain legions in a daily care hospital treatment has shown the positive dynamics of the treatment education as a result of the developed model of treatment.
EMPOWERING PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES VIA INCLUSIVE PRACTICES IN ORGANIZED SECTORS - LEARNINGS FROM DEVELOPED NATIONS
Issue of disability has figured on International Human Rights agenda in on several occasions. The existence of disability often results in decrease in social and economic well-being. Understanding the numbers of people with dis­abilities and their circumstances can improve efforts to remove disabling barriers and provide services to allow people with disabilities to participate. Present research has analyzed the practices in developed nations under organized sectors to how they empower the people living with disabilities to get their rightful space in the areas of work and education. Present research has systematically reviewed research papers, reports (years 2001to 2017), case studies, epidemiological studies via online database ‘PubMed’, ‘Google Scholar’ and ‘Web of Science’. The good practices, lessons, barriers have been identified to advocate such good practices in developing nations. There is lot to learn from countries like Switzerland, Norway, Canada etc., which have the highest rates of employment for persons with disabilities. The participation of people with disabili­ties is important for promoting human dignity, social cohesion and accommodating the disabled working age population. There are ample of good practices in developed nations which we can adopt to make the work environment most inclusive, equitable and enabling for people living with disabilities.
INCLUSIVE PRIMARY EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH FOCUSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Inclusion is a globally recognized educational philosophy that ensures opportunities and participation of all students along with students with disabilities in all aspects of school life. The United Nations has recently set target (Goal 4) of the SDGs ensuring quality, equitable and inclusive education for all by the year 2030. Over the years Bangladesh has responded to the international declarations to ensure and promote inclusive education. It is developing model inclusive primary schools across the country. However, many children with disabilities in Bangladesh are still facing exclusion. Data of this phenomenological study were collected from forty school teachers from fifteen primary schools through FGD and questionnaire guided interviews. Ten classroom teaching were observed and the parents, students, the community people and concerned education officers were interviewed. The social constructivist theory and system theory constructed the theoretical framework of the study. The research found challenges of training, study materials and assistive devices, funds, rigid curriculum and weak coordination among community and schools. It recommended holistic approach and good collaboration among community and school to meet the challenges. The findings might regenerate in depth understanding on inclusive education for policy implementers and other researchers from the context of Bangladesh.
FRONTIERS OF EXCLUSION IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Schools are main public spaces for social development and they provide formative education to students as a secondary social institution throughout the world. Social exclusion and unequal educational opportunities are growing phenomenon in both developed and under developed countries. Inclusive education ensures equal education opportunities for visually, physically and financially handicapped children regardless of their inabilities, class or caste. The national education policy of Sri Lanka comprises a special section on implementing inclusive education policy within the country but many disabled students have been excluded and isolated within the present education system. An inclusive school caters for a non discriminative environment for disabled or special needs children where it leads to main goals of education like social cohesion and social justice. The focal aim of inclusive education system is to ensure the right of the disabled and special needs students to study in mainstream schools where the right to education has been promoted through not marginalizing the disabled students. The current education system should transformed to cater diversity of students’ learning needs despite of social, cultural and physical differences and enhancing learning motivation, adaptability and abilities. The study aims at the exclusion of educational opportunities of disable students and the primary data was collected through case studies and the additional data was collected through diverse secondary sources. The findings of the study ensures implementation of inclusive education policy which has to be reconstructed using homogenous approaches, which develop an education model considering diversity of needs, abilities and identities where teaching-learning process comprises flexibility and adaptability to cater diverse needs of student population.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AT CAREGIVING (SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE)
Mental health is not a topic that is usually reconnoitered with an open mind, in Sri Lanka. An astonishingly large of number of people chooses to attribute mental health illnesses to supernatural phenomena. Some people conceal the existence of mental health conditions altogether, because of the humiliation and disgrace associated with these conditions. A dementia condition 50% - 60% is due to the outlook for Alzheimer's disease. The main objective was to identify the challenges confronted by caregivers of dementia patients in the informal care setting. 46 family members from the outdoor patient unit were selected from the Mental Health Unit of Karapitiya Hospital through purposive sampling. The research data were collected by Interviews, Case studies, Observations and Focus Group Discussion. The results showed that during the period of Alzheimer's disease, caregivers experience a range of situations, including: a need to learn about the disease; dealing with guilt; and handling situations of pain, addiction and physical and psychological suffering. In conclusion the study described the challenges of the daily lives of these families, explaining the importance of and highlighting the need to adopt tools and strategies that provide physical, emotional, psychological and financial support to family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Social Work intervention in Micro, Mezzo and Macro levels for caregivers are also included in this study. Since the economical challenge is found to be the most defied area in informal care setting, it is necessary for the persons with mental disorders to be entitled with a well-structured state financial assistant equivalent to persons with physical disabilities under the light of National policy on PWDs.
NARRATIVE INTERVIEWING: A CROSS-CULTURAL APPROACH FOR REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS
Rehabilitation practitioners across a variety of clinical settings understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and rapport-building, in order to support client or patient engagement and follow-through with service plans for the attainment of clinical goals. The narrative interviewing technique is presented as a qualitative interview approach that is more in-depth than traditional interviews. It is a cross-culturally intrinsic method for exploring client concerns, promoting client reflection, deepening empathy for the client, and promoting deeper understanding of the client through storytelling – from intake through the process of termination. This platform is inherently person-centered and encourages opulent dialogue in a setting that is typically more prescribed.