Templated Crisis Communication for People With Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act being more than 30 years old, many government institutions fail to fully support their constituents, and provide understandable and actionable crisis communications before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. When residents do not effectively receive, understand, and act on crisis communications in a timely manner, life safety issues can occur. People may choose not to evacuate when necessary or lack the information for properly sheltering-in-place. These and other bad decisions can be deadly. Crisis communications, as a subset of risk communications, should be aligned with all the disaster phase cycles—the before, during, and after stages of disasters and crises—so that impacted residents obtain complete information they can use. U.S. government websites, including posted crisis communications public releases, must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) under Title II and they should use templated crisis communications available in other languages, English-only audio recordings, and videos of American Sign Language.

Disability, workplace inclusion and organizational citizenship behavior: an exploratory study of the legal profession

PurposeMany workers with disabilities face cultures of exclusion in the workplace, which can affect their participation in decisions, workplace engagement, job attitudes and performance. The authors explore a key indicator of engagement—perceptions of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB)—as it relates to disability and other marginalized identities in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachUsing an online survey, legal professionals answered questions about their workplace experiences. Ordinary least squares (OLS) multivariate regression analysis with progressive adjustment was used to investigate the effect of demographic and organizational factors on perceptions of OCB.FindingsThe authors find that employees with disabilities have lower perceptions of OCB, both before and after controlling for other personal and job variables. The disability gap is cut nearly in half, however, when controlling for workplace culture measures of co-worker support and the presence of an effective diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy. Disability does not appear to interact with gender, race/ethnicity and LGBTQ + status in affecting perceptions of OCB.Originality/valueThe results point to the workplace barriers faced by people with disabilities that affect their perceptions of engagement, and the potential for supportive cultures to change these perceptions.

Inclusive Community Aquatics Programming for Children with Developmental Challenges: A Community Participatory Action Research

Background: Children who are neurodiverse have traditionally been segregated from their peers in community-based programs, despite evidence of health benefits of inclusive education. Objectives: This community-initiated project aims to explore barriers and facilitators to inclusive aquatics programming for children with developmental and/or mental health challenges. Methods: Using a participatory-action research methodology, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 14 participants from various stakeholder groups, including parents of children who are neurodiverse, helping professionals, and community programmers. Results: Participants described unique definitions of inclusion, from integration with neurotypical peers, to individualized goal-setting and achievement. Major facilitators include adequate resources, flexibility around accommodations, and motivated staff. Major barriers include social stigma, financial limitations, and lack of communication between caregivers and service providers. Conclusions: Participants felt strongly about the need to improve inclusion practices within aquatics—and other community-based—programs. Increased collaboration between families, community programmers, and helping professionals can foster better inclusion and outcomes for children who are neurodiverse. By incorporating various perspectives into the design of future programs, program administrators can ensure more equitable access such that all children are able to participate.

Written/Unwritten. Diversity and the Hidden Truths of Tenure ed. by Patricia Matthew (review)

The University of Michigan denied tenure to four marginalized faculty members in 2007 and while wrestling with her own tenure challenges, Patricia Matthew brings these stories together. In many ways, these persons are marginalized from the intellectual community that graduate school fosters. [...]they are effectively rendered invisible to the campus community at large. The stigma attached to them, complicated by a healthy level of historical skepticism of social workers and mental health clinicians, may prevent scholars who struggle with anxiety and depression, for example, from availing themselves of any wellness resources and counseling services available to them on campus. In the age of COVID-19, the long-term effects of the disease for those who have survived it are yet to be fully understood and the impacts of the collective trauma are likely exacerbating for those who are already struggling with isolating physical conditions and mental health challenges.

Maximizing Writing Interventions for Individuals Receiving Special Education Services Through Technological Applications in the Elementary Classroom

Since its inception, special education has historically been an underfunded federal mandate leaving states and school districts unable to offer more than a basic level of support for individuals with disabilities. The amount and frequency of time allotted for special services including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy is not sufficient for making significant and lasting progress, and many parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the current service delivery model. In this paper, we explore the issue of accessibility and how technology may play a role in leveling the playing field for students who, prior to this COVID-19 pandemic, were receiving inadequate levels of intervention to make progress on goals outlined within their Individualized Education Program. We explore one teacher's experience implementing a new application in her classroom aimed at increasing writing accuracy, while addressing the need for platforms that are engaging and promote parent participation.

The Distance Cure: A History of Teletherapy by Hannah Zeavin (The MIT Press, 2021)

Book Review Book Review ;The Distance Cure: A History of Teletherapy, by Hannah Zeavin (MIT Press, 2021) Elizabeth Ellcessor University of Virginia eae2f@virginia.edu We are surrounded by remote or "virtual” therapy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote therapy services have been increasingly promoted by insurance companies, podcast advertisements, Reddit forums, and corporate wellness offices as a plausible solution to the rising rates of depression and other mental health concerns exacerbated by death, unemployment, and endless uncertainty. For people with interest or experience using telehealth or app-based mental health services, the last two chapters offer analyses of computer-driven and self-directed therapies. Efforts to broader access to therapy have often relied upon increased mediation to reduce costs and simultaneously reduce the availability of dedicated professional attention.

Raising Healthy Children: Promoting the Multiple Benefits of Green Open Spaces through Biophilic Design

Several studies have indicated that children who grow up in green environments enjoy beneficial impacts on their development. However, to date, very little attention has been paid to the types and characteristics of dedicated public open green space for children. In addition, studies on biophilic design that could help landscape architects to design open spaces for children are limited. In order to fill this gap, this perspective examines the scientific literature on the relationship between open spaces and children. The authors specifically discuss and analyze the following points: (1) pathways to and effects on children's health and well-being;(2) types and characteristics of open spaces for child-dedicated facilities (e.g., schools, hospitals, fitness camps, playgrounds, etc.), as well as for child-friendly urban open spaces. Finally, the authors provide inspiring examples and case studies of biophilic design for children's health and well-being. Conclusions from this perspective show that biophilic design could benefit both the physical and mental health of children, as well as improve children's overall resilience to pandemics and other diseases. This perspective provides, for the first time, new insights for designing biophilic and child-friendly cities, and explores areas of future research.

Creating Accessible Digital Images for Vision Impaired Audiences and Researchers

In 1992, the UN has designated December 3rd each year as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an effort that aims to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Under the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities should be universally accepted and protected. While a laudable goal, thirty years later, we find that these protections are not being met in the museum sector or in the scholarly journals that focus on that work. Curator: The Museum Journal has acknowledged our failure to live up to the spirit of accessibility and continues to work to rectify these deficits in the coming year.Discussion of image accessibility is common in the discourses around social media, and the fields of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction, the same cannot be said for the cultural sector. The UK ‘Heritage Access' report (VocalEyes, 2022) demonstrated that digital access to cultural institutions for vision impaired, D/deaf, and neurodivergent users remains very low. They find that information continues to be communicated in ways that are inaccessible, despite the rapidly increasing digital presence of cultural institutions that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Similarly, the ‘State of accessible publishing in the UK' report (PAAG, 2022) revealed that only a small minority of publishing institutions implemented and integrated accessibility into their workflow and their organizations.

United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy: A framework to accelerate transformative change for persons with disabilities in the peace and security pillar

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy establishes the first-ever framework for the United Nations system to advance disability inclusion across all pillars of the Organization's work, including the peace and security pillar, and to measure the progress made across the system. Evidence reported since the launch of the Strategy in 2019 demonstrates that the Strategy has provided a clear impetus among United Nations entities and peace operations working in the sector to address the rights of persons with disabilities, who are among the most marginalized in any crisis-affected community. However, the evidence also reveals that while humanitarian entities have made progress since the launch of the Strategy, disability inclusion remains an emerging area of work for peace operations in the field. The article argues that the Strategy's accountability framework has provided a much-needed blueprint and ability to monitor progress across the system, yet far more needs to be done to ensure that the United Nations system is equipped to respond to complex situations and reach the furthest behind first.

Tech Tools in Pandemic-Transformed Information Literacy Instruction: Pushing for Digital Accessibility

Inspired by pandemic-transformed instruction, this paper examines the digital accessibility of five tech tools used in information literacy sessions, specifically for students who use assistive technologies such as screen readers. The tools are Kahoot!, Mentimeter, Padlet, Jamboard, and Poll Everywhere. First, we provide an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and digital accessibility definitions, descriptions of screen reading assistive technology, and the current use of tech tools in information literacy instruction for student engagement. Second, we examine accessibility testing assessments of the five tech tools selected for this paper. Our data show that the tools had severe, significant, and minor levels of digital accessibility problems, and while there were some shared issues, most problems were unique to the individual tools. We explore the implications of tech tools' unique environments as well as the importance of best practices and shared vocabularies. We also argue that digital accessibility benefits all users. Finally, we provide recommendations for teaching librarians to collaborate with campus offices to assess and advance the use of accessible tech tools in information literacy instruction, thereby enhancing an equitable learning environment for all students.

Human rights violations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to explore the most prominent human rights violations during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with international human rights law.Design/methodology/approach>Through doctrinal and legal study and content analysis, this paper analyses the important relevant legal provisions under International human rights law and applies these provisions to the reality of managing the COVID-19 crisis to identify the most prominent human rights violations during the COVID-19 outbreak. This research paper considered as a review paper in that it provides a review of the most prominent measures taken during the COVID-19 crisis, which constitutes violations of international human rights law.Findings>It is concluded that some measures that have been taken by countries to confront the COVID-19 pandemic have constituted violations of human rights and did not comply with the legal conditions to restrict human rights. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the ugly fractures in health-care systems, health inequities, racism and discrimination, Undermining the right to freedom of expression and the right to access information, gross negligence in protecting detainees from COVID-19 infection, all of these constitute clear violations of the principles of international human rights law.Research limitations/implications>The spread of COVID-19 has not stopped, and its effects still continue, including human rights violations. Therefore, this paper cannot enumerate all human rights violations that occur during the spread of COVID-19.Practical implications>Based on the results in this paper, governments need to be more prepared to face any health crisis at all levels including health care, which would reduce human rights violations.Social implications>This research paper reflects positively on the social reality, as the adoption of its recommendations leads to the provision of adequate health care to all members of society in accordance with the principles of human rights, granting them the right to access information, protecting their right to freedom of expression, reducing the phenomenon of racism and discrimination and providing adequate health care to all detainees.Originality/value>This paper studies an up-to-date topic that we are still living and seeing its effects. The benefit of this paper is to provide recommendations that protect human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roma as a Venerable Population Group and the Development of an Indicative Vaccination Program for the COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown in the most compelling way the need to vaccinate socially vulnerable and minority groups of the population. Factors that make their ability to participate in medical care limited or not accessible at all, expose them to a higher risk of being infected and getting sick from COVID-19. One of these groups with high rates of morbidity and mortality are the Roma population. Their inclusion in vaccination programs is extremely important because it protects them as a vulnerable group, protects society as a whole, builds a protective shield against the risk of disease spreading, helps to decongest the health system and contributes to the acquisition of collective immunity. In order to achieve the vaccination goal, the collaboration of the state with the Public Health bodies as well as with the various stakeholders (Non-Governmental Organizations, municipalities, etc.) is deemed necessary. As regards the Roma population, the implementation of a vaccination program follows the five steps of the decision-making process. At a time when the pandemic highlighted as the first priority the strengthening of the public health system, special importance must be given to social cohesion and to equal accessibility to health care system for all, in order to protect the whole of society.

Disabled-Friendly Public Spaces in Covid 19 Pandemic: Improving Service Facilities and Accessibility based on the User‘s Perception in Alun-Alun Batu City

An inclusive and easily accessible public space, including for persons with disabilities, is one of the goals contained in the SDGs by 2030. The Batu City Government has tried to create a friendly public space by providing facilities and utilities that make it easier for people with disabilities to access it seen on Alun-Alun Batu. The ongoing covid 19 pandemic causes limited visits to Alun-Alun Batu and affects the condition of existing facilities. This research aims to develop the concept of facilities and accessibility based on the perception of disabled users. The analytical methods in this research are the perception assessment of disabled users with IPA analysis and the conformity assessment method according to the current pandemic conditions. The results show that out of 16 facilities, half of the facilities are in unsuitable condition and other facilities are not suitable for disabled users. The priority of upgrading facilities are objects in quadrants I IPA which consists of toilets, traffic parks, carousel, and gazebos/smoking areas. The second priority is facilities located in quadrant II such as parking lots, playgrounds, Ferris wheels, and offices. And the third priority is for facilities located in quadrant III IPA such as dancing fountains, stage performances, seats, rubbish bin, and tourism information.

Candidate City Human Rights Proposals for the 2026 World Cup: The Promise of a Positive Legacy

Since 2017, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has incorporated human rights risk assessments into its bidding requirements for major events, beginning with the competition to host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.1 This process began at a time of increased scrutiny on the impact of major events and greater focus on the applicability of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to sport. In 2014, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights’ founding Chair Mary Robinson, together with John Ruggie (author of the UNGPs), wrote to FIFA in their respective capacities as Patron and Chair of the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) to stress the need for ‘sustained due diligence […] with respect to decisions about host nations and how major sporting events are planned and implemented’.2 Following recommendations set forth in the letter, expanded upon in Ruggie’s 2016 report ‘For the Game, For the World’, FIFA introduced robust bidding requirements that any country or region wishing to bid to host a World Cup will have to conduct a human rights risk assessment and outline how they intend to mitigate each of the risks identified.3 These requirements are designed to align the World Cup bidding process with the UNGPs.

A Needs Assessment of COVID-19 Guidance for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been identified as particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. Besides susceptibility to viral threats, adults with IDD often find it difficult to make the changes in behavior and routine that are necessary to minimize risks of exposure and infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned that individuals with developmental disabilities receive vital guidance in a format they could understand. The CDC engaged the team at Georgia Tools for Life at the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech to conduct a rapid assessment as to whether current CDC guidance addressed the unique communication differences that such individuals may require and to suggest ways to improve this communication. A Rapid Needs Assessment study was conducted that involved interviews with six adults with IDD. These sessions asked them to interact with CDC's COVID-19 materials. The team collected feedback on ease of reading, comprehension ability, formatting, and use of images. In addition, a set of group interviews with four care providers was completed, collecting feedback on the same issues and materials. When shown a CDC COVID-19 webpage, individual participants with IDD reported having difficulties reading and understanding the content due to unfamiliar vocabulary, lengthy and complex sentences, and dense text. Both caregivers and individuals with IDD suggested that documents should present simpler words and less text and raised questions regarding the effectiveness of use of images in such guidance. Individual comments helped researchers shape recommendations for production of more appropriate documents.

The Importance of Braille During a Pandemic and Beyond

In March, 2020, the same month that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people throughout the United States and across the globe were required to rapidly make major decisions that impacted every aspect of their lives, including, but not limited to, social interactions, healthcare, transportation, childcare, education, and employment. In order to make the most informed decisions, it was critical during this period that all individuals be provided equal access to emergency-related information. Availability of essential health-related information can be even more critical for individuals who are blind, and who are often already disadvantaged due to a lack of available access in both the physical and digital environment. This paper will explore the value and importance that braille serves in the lives of individuals who are blind and are proficient braille users. A qualitative study related to braille access for individuals who are blind was conducted by Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech in September of 2020, with a specific focus on access to COVID-19 materials. The findings of this qualitative study will be examined, with a specific focus on how braille continues to serve as an essential format when accessing critical content.

Building an Effective Model to Disseminate Accessible COVID-19 Guidance

In July 2020, the CDC Foundation partnered with the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) at the Georgia Institute of Technology to deliver critical COVID-19 guidance to people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. The project made information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accessible for audiences with vision and hearing disabilities and extremely low literacy levels. The dissemination challenge was communicating the availability of the products in digital and embossed Braille, American Sign Language videos, and simplified text products to the intended users. Working with the American Association on Health and Disability, a project partner, CIDI constructed a network of organizations to disseminate information about project services through virtual speaking appearances, webinars, and social media messaging to organizations that reach the intended audiences. The accessible products are distributed to the target audiences through a website and key partnerships for the physical distribution of embossed braille products.

Creating Accessible Infographics: Describing Scientific Data in Ways Everyone Can Understand

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust scientific literature into the global spotlight this year, as information about the virus, how to keep safe, and how to get vaccinated has been continually updated at a rapid pace. Much of this information is being conveyed through infographics. This has resulted in an abundance of easy-to-grasp information for sighted people with no learning disabilities, but this positive impact has not been extended to people with visual or learning disabilities. In effect, these infographics often serve to further marginalize individuals with disabilities. Consistent methods for writing descriptions of images should be developed and implemented by first looking at how information moves from working memory to long-term memory, and then examining how cognitive fatigue can inhibit understanding of complex images and scientific information vital to individuals with disabilities. Considering how best to describe scientific images with concise alternative text and in plain language will have clear and immediate benefits for the health and well-being of those with print-related disabilities.

Introduction to Volume 16 Issue 2

[...]the authors conducted group interviews with caregivers of the adults with l/DD. [...]in this section, Norah Sinclair, Sheryl Ballenger, and Maureen Linden's article, Inclusive Design Thinking for Health Messaging in American Sign Language during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study Brief, provides a case study highlighting an inclusive design thinking framework that supported the development of accessible, culturally relevant COVID-19 materials for ASL speakers. [...]it identified additional gaps in COVID-19 information (e.g., adaptations to face masks for people with various disabilities), conducted a webinar series on these topics, and engaged in extensive dissemination of the products produced. [...]Johan Rempel discusses The Importance of Braille During a Pandemic and Beyond.