International Journal of Developmental Disabilities最新文献

This paper explored the transition of a disability inclusive employment programme in a private landscaping company into a standalone social enterprise ENABLE, offering horticultural training and sustainable jobs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The research question that guided this study is: How did ENABLE evolve from a sheltered employment programme into a social enterprise that provides sustainable employment for persons with IDD? And what is the prevailing influence on the employees and the society at large? Through qualitative descriptive analysis, we explored ENABLE's development, operations, and community influence. Multiple data collection methods were utilized including semi-structured interviews with key employers, observation of employees with IDD during their working hours, and analysis of related documents. By critically analysing this journey, this study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial inclusive employment for individuals with IDD, addressing challenges faced by organisations that support disability employment in the UAE and beyond.

This comprehensive study delves into the family quality of life (FQOL) of caregivers in Saudi Arabia, focusing on those caring for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities and those without any disabilities. Employing the Arabic version of the Beach Center FQOL Scale, the research encompasses a diverse group of 1065 family members. It reveals that caregivers of individuals without disabilities experience notably higher FQOL, especially in domains such as family interaction, parenting, emotional, and physical/material well-being. The study also identifies unique FQOL challenges encountered by caregivers of individuals with autism. These insights underscore the necessity for specific support mechanisms catering to the distinct needs of caregivers, particularly those handling autism-related challenges, highlighting a critical area for targeted interventions and policy formulation.

The paper advocates for the necessity of inclusive media literacy education (MLE) and equal opportunities for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) 2008 and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 Quality Education (SDG, 2030). It underscores the commitment to 'leaving no one behind', a core tenet of the SDGs, by focusing on developing digital empathy and inclusive MLE for young adults with ASD in the digital age. The study aims to empower young adults with ASD in Chennai, India, with media literacy and digital empathy through a one-day hands-on workshop and to assess the impact of this educational intervention on their understanding and application of media literacy in their daily lives. The paper employs a mixed-method approach that integrates experimental-qualitative research and the data is analysed using 'qualitative reflexive' thematic analysis. The study's findings demonstrate significant improvements in the participants' abilities to discern fake news, learn digital empathy and cybersecurity by engaging responsibly with digital media, and include MLE in their academic curriculum. The paper suggests that such educational interventions can enhance digital empathy and media literacy among young adults with ASD.

Objectives: The Negative Adjustment Scale (NAS) is used to measure adjustment to having a sibling with a disability. However, several adaptations to the scale have been made, and implementation varies across studies and countries. This study examined the psychometric properties across different versions and provides directions for future use and development of the NAS.

Methods: The sample comprised 400 siblings aged 6-16 years old from Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. Measurement invariance was assessed across age groups (8-11 vs. 12-16 years) and translations (Norwegian vs. Dutch), using a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. The psychometric properties of the parent version were assessed among 102 parents from the Dutch sample.

Results: The internal consistency of the NAS was acceptable to good in all versions. A single factor model held across age groups and translations, although higher order invariance was not supported. The child and parent report versions of the NAS did not significantly correlate.

Conclusions: The NAS generally has sufficient psychometric properties. However, these vary across age groups, translations, and informants, causing the NAS to be less appropriate for comparisons between groups. Further adaptation of the NAS or developing a new scale for siblings of children with disabilities, is advised.