Disabilities

Youth with disabilities have limited opportunities to participate in education. This study explored barriers and facilitators to educational success experienced by high-school students with disabilities in Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa. This participatory research involved youth with disabilities as core members of the research team. Participants were 58 youths with motor, hearing, and visual impairments (25 females and 33 males, aged 16 to 33) who took part in focus group discussions at one of the three sites. The research team analysed transcribed digital audio recordings using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged that reflect the mixed experiences of high-school learners, namely: 1. Psychosocial factors that influence learners’ learning. 2. Classroom factors that influence learners’ learning. 3. Personal agency strategies that learners develop to manage challenges. While the findings highlight some enabling experiences for learners with disabilities, they predominantly illustrate exclusionary practices and restrictions in high-school education for youth with disabilities. Their learning was negatively affected by exclusion from activities, others’ attitudes, inaccessible communication, and limited resources. We emphasise a critical need to address discriminatory practices and attend to factors that can enhance belonging and inclusion of youth with disabilities in education, leading to enhanced opportunities for social participation. Full article

Youth with disabilities struggle to enter and maintain relationships due to social, cultural, and religious misconceptions. This study examines barriers to sexual experience faced by youth in Gweru, Zimbabwe. It interrogates the role of socio-cultural beliefs, myths, and misconceptions in creating barriers to sexual expression. The study relied on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to gather firsthand experiences of barriers to sexual experiences from twenty disabled youth and five key informants. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings indicate that youth with disabilities still face numerous barriers due to the assumption that they are asexual. Cultural and religious attributions of disability, including contagion, curse, punishment, and sin, deterred youth with disabilities from engaging in intimate relationships. Findings pointed to predatory behaviours targeted at youth with disabilities, with perpetrators seeking primarily sexual favours and treating them as objects of sexual gratification. The study recommends state and non-state actors that work with youth with disabilities to involve traditional, religious, and other community leaders in their programming. This can help to correct myths and misconceptions more than using any other advocacy group. Full article

Background: Family caregivers of children with rare diseases are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The WHO’s Group Problem Management Plus (Group PM+) is an evidence-based intervention providing psychological help for adults impaired by distress while exposed to adversity. Our objective was to adapt and beta test Group PM+ with family caregivers. Methods: Family caregivers were >18.0 years at enrollment experiencing psychological distress. Rare Group PM+ is five weekly sessions teaching stress management, problem solving, and building social support. Assessments were the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests measured the median baseline and 2-week follow-up values. Results: Sessions were reduced to 90 min and delivered through telehealth. Eight participants enrolled, including seven females with mean age of 40 years. Completion and retention rate were 100% (8/8). Participant-identified barriers to joining included: time constraints; concerns about re-traumatization; and confidentiality. PCL-5 decreased from a median of 29 to 17.5; GAD-7 from 11.5 to 4.5; and PHQ-9 median scores decreased but not significantly. Conclusions: Rare Group PM+ demonstrated initial acceptability and feasibility. Future research should examine initial efficacy in a larger rigorous pilot randomized controlled clinical trial. Full article

Programs for adults with visual impairment are diverse; however, the methods used to evaluate them have not been systematically mapped. We conducted a scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the PRISMA-ScR guideline. We searched peer-reviewed, English-language articles in PsycINFO, ERIC, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, with an original search on 1 October 2025 and an updated search on 1 May 2026. Two independent reviewers screened records in EPPI-Reviewer; disagreements were resolved through discussion. A total of 56 studies published between 1989 and 2024 were included. Most studies relied on summative pre-post assessment. Only two studies incorporated formative evaluation, and none used a logic model or an explicit theoretical framework. Sixteen studies included follow-up assessments, with limited variation in timing and frequency. Studies used both generic and vision-specific standardized instruments; however, vision-specific tools appeared in only three of five outcome domains. Accessibility accommodations were common, most often involving item read-aloud, with proxy reporting used in a small subset. Only four studies addressed the potential measurement bias associated with these accommodations. These findings highlight gaps in evaluation design, indicator selection, and the balance between accessibility and measurement validity, identifying priorities for future research. Full article

Overnight programming is an effective intervention that builds social satisfaction, well-being and community; however, the mechanisms supporting these outcomes are not well understood. This qualitative study explores concepts that contribute to social benefits of overnight programs and outlines best practices. Using purposive convenience sampling of an agency that conducts overnight programming, eight adults with disabilities (ages 22–56) participated in semi-structured interviews. Researchers utilized thematic analysis to analyze the interviews. Five themes developed: (a) Experience (program activities, connection to friends, and fun), (b) Liminality (being away from everyday life, respite, and transitory spaces), (c) Opportunity (personal growth, and trying new things), (d) Social Facilitation (interactions between participants, like-mindedness and relationship building), and (e) Support (friends, and staff). Results illustrate overnight programming provides opportunities for participants to experience new things and build social connections. The findings of this study are consistent with the ideas of liminality and communitas, supported by sense of community theory. Practitioners should consider incorporating the four elements of sense of community (membership, influence, fulfillment of needs, and strong emotional connections) when designing overnight programming. Full article

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may experience difficulties in emotional regulation, social participation, academic functioning, and daily routines, which can place increased emotional, practical, and caregiving demands on parents. At the same time, parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also associated with positive aspects, including opportunities for personal growth. The current study examined perceived growth among mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and specifically the associations between types of social support (from family, friends and significant others), types of parental well-being (parents’ cognitive assessment, and positive and negative feelings toward parenting), and types of perceived growth (personal, social, and religious growth). Participants were 246 mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, aged 28–70 years (M = 43.31, SD = 7.52), who completed questionnaires assessing the primary study variables. Family and significant-other support were associated with personal, social, and religious growth, while friends’ support was associated only with personal and social growth. Positive feelings toward parenting were positively associated with all three dimensions of perceived growth, whereas cognitive assessment related only to personal and social growth. Negative feelings toward parenting were not significantly associated with growth. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that social support explained a small but significant proportion of variance, but once parental well-being was added, only positive feelings remained uniquely associated with perceived growth. These findings highlight the potential importance of fostering positive parenting experiences and emotional well-being, alongside strengthening social support resources, among mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Full article

Background: Thalidomide, prescribed to pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, caused severe congenital impairments known as thalidomide embryopathy, yet the long-term health and wellbeing of survivors as they reach older adulthood remains underexplored. Objectives: This scoping review updates the 2017 Newbronner and Atkin review by exploring evidence published between 2017 and 2025 on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of ageing thalidomide survivors, identifying emerging health issues, care needs, and evidence gaps. Methods: Searches across nine academic databases and grey literature sources identified studies reporting health, wellbeing, or quality of life among middle-aged and older adults with documented prenatal thalidomide exposure. Results: Thirty papers from the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Canada, and Australia were included, showing pervasive musculoskeletal deterioration, chronic pain, and increased metabolic disorders. Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress, were common and often linked to pain severity and functional limitations, alongside sensory impairments, dental issues, and functional decline, though many survivors demonstrated resilience. Conclusions: Ageing thalidomide survivors face complex, progressive health challenges that extend beyond congenital impairments, highlighting a need for coordinated, specialist care to support wellbeing in later life. Full article

Background: Given the high likelihood of disability and need for rehabilitation after a stroke, identifying the factors associated with the use of physiotherapy services may support actions to improve access to such services. Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Service helps to explain determinants of health service use. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with using physiotherapy services after a stroke in Brazil based on Andersen’s model. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study using data from the 2019 National Health Survey. A total of 1974 adults with self-reported stroke were included. Twenty-two variables selected according to Andersen’s model were investigated. Variables associated with physiotherapy use in univariate analyses (p < 0.20) were included in logistic regression models. Analyses accounted for the complex sampling design and were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0. Results: The study included 1974 individuals with stroke, with a mean age of 63.8 years (SD = 14.9), of whom 53.2% were women. The population characteristics indicated that individuals reporting limitations in their activities and stopped performing their usual tasks were 1.6 times more likely to use physiotherapy services [OR 1.6 (95%CI 1.1–2.1)]. The health behavior component revealed that self-care actions such as following a diet [OR 2.2 (95%CI 1.6–3.0)], regular use of aspirin [OR 1.3 (95%CI 1.0–1.9)], other medications [OR 2.3 (95%CI 1.6–3.2)], and use of other rehabilitation services [OR 8.1 (95%CI 5.7–11.3)] were significantly associated with using physiotherapy services. Conclusions: Stopping usual activities, following a diet, regular medication use, and other rehabilitation therapies are associated with physiotherapy use after stroke. These findings may support the development of strategies aimed at improving equitable access to rehabilitation services among stroke survivors. Full article

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from mainstream sexual reproductive health education and services. This exclusion is due to stigma and systemic barriers further increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, unintended pregnancies, and limited contraceptive access. Additionally, adolescent childbearing has been linked to an increased risk of long-term health and functional limitations. This study explored contraceptive awareness and decision-making among caregivers of adolescent learners with intellectual disabilities in selected Special Care Centres in Tshwane District Gauteng province. This exploratory, descriptive qualitative research utilised a purposive sampling method to select caregivers from five Special Care Centres to participate in focus group discussions. The sample size was 29 participants. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis on NVivo15 software and halted after reaching saturation. Intercoder reliability was achieved with consensus agreement among researchers. Three overarching themes, supported by two sub-themes emerged: (1) Caregivers’ understanding of contraception: (1.1) Perceived benefits and disadvantages of contraception; (1.2) Early exposure to contraceptive information. (2) Socio-economic influences on contraceptive decision-making: (2.1) Financial burden; (2.2) Preference for permanent contraceptive method. (3) Negotiating cultural expectations and practical caregiving realities: (3.1) Community acceptance of contraceptive use; (3.2) Willingness to forgo biological grandchildren. Caregivers’ awareness and decisions about contraception reflect not only their health knowledge but also the socio-economic pressures they face and the practical realities that shape choices within their communities. This study recommends disability-inclusive sexual reproductive health education that provides contextually relevant insights for strengthening community-based interventions among adolescents with intellectual disability. Full article

Background/Objectives: To map the literature and describe the meaning, use, and experience of power mobility for children with complex non-ambulant cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV–V and Manual Abilities Classification System (MACS) levels III–V). Methods: Included searches in five electronic databases, grey literature, and hand searches with no restrictions on date, study type, or language, as well as independent duplicate screening and data extraction. Outcomes and experiences were mapped to the integrated F-words Interdependence Human Activity Assistive Technology (iHAAT) framework. Results: In total, 90 studies, from randomized trials to case reports and qualitative designs, included 916 children (10 months–18 years; 432 GMFCS IV; 262 GMFCS V; 222 GMFCS IV/V), with 351 parents, therapists, or educators. Only 32 studies reported MACS levels. Power wheelchairs were used by 724 children (68 used switches rather than joysticks). Other children used modified ride-on cars, specialty pediatric devices, or platform/smart training devices. Based on 22 studies where this information was provided, alternate access/control methods were primarily used by children classified at GMFCS/MACS V, but there was considerable variability. Introduction predominantly occurred in natural settings with limited training or support. Significant and meaningful improvements in power mobility use were reported for intensive play-based, child-led, and caregiver-supported approaches; for virtual training with joystick users; and for skills-training approaches with older children who already achieved functional power wheelchair use. Conclusions: Children classified at GMFCS IV and V may benefit from power mobility experience to promote fitness, functioning, friends, family, fun, and future outcomes. Their use and experience of power mobility may be interdependent with parents, therapists, and educators, changing attitudes and perceptions of child potential. Full article

Interventions aimed at improving the psychological well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children have been overlooked. This study aimed to develop a targeted picture-book-focused, multi-component psycho-emotional support intervention for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children and to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability. A mixed-methods design based on the Successive Approximation Model (SAM) was used. A user-centered picture book was developed and evaluated through a multi-component intervention involving 76 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children. Quantitative data were collected at baseline (T0) and one-month follow-up (T1) using the Children’s Loneliness Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Adolescent Mental Resilience Scale. Focus group interviews explored acceptability and appropriateness. Five empowering components were identified, which guided the development of the picture book. The recruitment rate of the study was 92.7% (76/82). A total of 68.4% (52/76) of participants completed the intervention and follow-up. The adherence rate was 92.3% (48/52). Most participants (88.5%, 46/52) reported satisfaction with the intervention. Exploratory changes were observed for loneliness (IQR 41.5 vs. 39.0; 95%CI: 0.275, 0.723) and self-efficacy (IQR 24.0 vs. 25.0; 95%CI: −0.577, −0.027), while resilience showed no significance (IQR 85.0 vs. 87.0; 95%CI: −0.176, 0.435). Most participants rated the picture book as acceptable and were willing to share it. The intervention appears acceptable, feasible, and appropriate, supporting the need for a randomized or implementation study. Full article

Background: Phantom limb pain, poor sleep, musculoskeletal pain, and psychological distress are common in patients following traumatic lower-limb amputations. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of research on the connections between these variables and rehabilitation service accessibility. Evidence on phantom limb pain and related rehabilitation factors remains limited in conflict-affected settings, where access to timely prosthetic and rehabilitation services may be substantially disrupted. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of phantom limb pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and to assess their correlation with sleep quality, depression, anxiety and access to rehabilitation services in individuals with traumatic lower-limb amputation. Methods: Between August 2025 and April 2026, 491 patients with unilateral traumatic lower-limb amputations who were receiving outpatient rehabilitation services participated in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality, while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. In addition, participants reported delays in physiotherapy and prosthetic fitting, phantom limb pain, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Mann–Whitney U tests were used for group comparisons, while multiple regression analysis and Spearman correlations were used to assess the relationships. Results: Phantom limb pain was reported by 78.8% of participants, while 46.2% experienced chronic musculoskeletal pain. Among patients who had not received a prosthesis, the mean delay to prosthetic provision was 472.9 days, while the median delay was 502 days. Poorer sleep quality (β = 0.480, p < 0.001) and longer delays to prosthetic fitting (β = 0.184, p = 0.002) were independently associated with greater phantom limb pain intensity. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain and those who had not received a prosthesis experienced poorer sleep quality, greater depression and anxiety, and more severe phantom pain than participants without musculoskeletal pain and those who had received a prosthesis. Conclusions: Phantom limb and chronic musculoskeletal pain are highly prevalent after lower-limb amputation. Delayed prosthetic fitting and sleep disturbances are associated with greater phantom pain. Full article

Emerging technologies are reshaping labor market dynamics and redefining the competencies required for employability. However, their benefits remain unevenly distributed, particularly among socially vulnerable populations such as people with visual impairments. This study examined the relationship between emerging technologies and employability among individuals with visual disabilities in a city in northern Peru, within the broader framework of inclusive development and equal opportunity. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 132 participants. Data were collected through a Likert-type questionnaire measuring indicators associated with emerging technologies and employability. To capture the structural interdependencies between both domains, the study used psychometric network analysis based on ordinal correlations and EBICglasso estimation. The resulting network comprised 17 nodes and 89 edges, with a predominance of cross-domain associations between technology and employability indicators. The nodes with the strongest expected influence were EM5, TE7, and TE9, suggesting that these indicators occupied relatively central positions within the estimated exploratory network. Taken together, the results suggest preliminary associations between employability-related indicators and technology-related indicators, particularly those linked to technological access, skills development, autonomy, and innovation. Given the exploratory nature of the instrument, the cross-sectional design, and the sample size, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary. In this context, psychometric network analysis is best understood as a complementary exploratory approach that helps identify conditional associations between indicators, while further psychometric confirmation of the instrument remains necessary. Full article

Inclusive education has become an important component of educational reform in Kazakhstan, particularly through efforts to align national education policy with international principles of equity and access. However, implementation remains uneven between urban and rural schools. This study explores how teachers implement inclusive education practices in a rural secondary school in Northern Kazakhstan. A qualitative case study design was employed using semi-structured interviews with sixteen teachers working in inclusive classrooms. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings indicate that teachers demonstrate strong commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs and regularly adapt instructional practices to promote classroom inclusion. At the same time, participants identified major challenges, including limited professional preparation, shortages of specialized support staff, insufficient instructional resources, and infrastructure constraints affecting rural schools. The findings further suggest that although inclusive education is increasingly emphasized within national educational policy, implementation in rural schools continues to be shaped by structural inequalities and unequal access to institutional support. The study contributes to the limited literature on inclusive education in Central Asia and highlights the importance of strengthening teacher professional development, institutional support systems, and rural educational infrastructure. Full article

Motor impairments and limitations in functional performance are common in children with autism spectrum disorder, restricting participation in daily activities. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the MIG Program with conventional physical therapy in the development of socio-communicative motor skills and the achievement of functional goals. A mixed-methods randomized clinical trial was conducted with children with autism spectrum disorder aged 6 to 12 years (mean 8.73 ± 1.95; support levels 1 and 2), recruited from rehabilitation clinics in southeastern Brazil. Participants were randomly assigned to the MIG Program, which integrates contextualized functional motor training with narrative grammar strategies and the use of a therapeutic vest, or to conventional physical therapy based on traditional motor approaches. Primary outcomes included fundamental motor skills and functional goal attainment, while secondary outcomes were balance, gross and fine motor skills, and socio-communicative abilities. The RCT protocol was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-76pk39r), in 21 October 2025. The MIG Program was associated with greater improvements in fundamental motor skills and functional goal attainment compared to conventional physical therapy, with effects maintained at follow-up, as well as with more favorable trends in balance and communication outcomes; however, no clear differences were observed in gross and fine motor skills. Qualitative findings suggested increased engagement, autonomy, and participation in the MIG group. Overall, these preliminary findings indicate that the MIG Program may be a promising approach for supporting functional outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder, although the results should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size and the number of outcomes assessed. Full article

Despite growing interest in three-dimensional (3D) printing for assistive technology (AT), limited research has examined how rehabilitation stakeholders perceive its role within service delivery. This study explored the perspectives of clients who use AT, their care partners, and rehabilitation clinicians to identify perceived affordances and barriers of 3D-printed AT. A qualitative design using purposive sampling targeted individuals with prior exposure to 3D printing. Four in-person focus groups (n = 17) were conducted with nine clinicians, seven clients, and one care partner. One additional semi-structured interview was conducted with a care partner. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) AT adapts to meet individual needs but encounters practical challenges; (2) 3D printing is an evolving and practical solution to enhance AT access; and (3) education and support are essential to optimize 3D printing service delivery. 3D printing is a feasible complement to traditional AT service delivery when integrated within collaborative, client-centered rehabilitation models. Addressing gaps in education, durability, and structured follow-up processes may enhance the adoption and long-term effectiveness of 3D-printed AT. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way we work and live. For people with disabilities, the pandemic has differentially affected their healthcare experiences in several ways. Although existing studies have investigated health-related experiences during COVID-19 with individuals with disabilities, fewer research studies have explored the specific impact of the pandemic on individuals with disabilities in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the government implemented unique COVID-19 policies and measures, such as contact tracing. For individuals with disabilities, many of whom were influenced by the Independent Living Movement and in the process of exploring the possibilities of living on their own with support from others, the impact of the pandemic on their daily lives remained mostly unknown. Therefore, this study explored the perspectives of individuals with physical disabilities regarding COVID-19 control measures and how the pandemic affected their daily experiences, particularly their health-related experiences. We conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews with 10 participants from Taiwan. After analyzing the participants’ experiences during the pandemic, three themes emerged: (1) concerns about COVID-19 policies; (2) emotional responses to the pandemic; (3) healthcare experiences during COVID-19. These themes guided our discussion of practice and policy implications. Full article

Language significantly influences how disability is perceived and experienced. Within disability studies, terminology carries symbolic, political, and epistemological implications. This essay critically examines the contemporary debate between person-first language (“person with a disability”) and identity-first language (“disabled person”) and proposes the alternative term “person in a situation of disability.” Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, this expression highlights the contextual, dynamic, and relational dimensions of disability. The article draws on historical, conceptual, and practical perspectives to show how environmental and social barriers construct disabling experiences. It argues that this terminology more accurately reflects contemporary understandings of disability as a modifiable interaction between the individual and their context. Such a shift has implications for research, public policy, education, and inclusive practices. Ultimately, adopting “Person in a Situation of Disability” moves beyond mere linguistic preference, representing a commitment to inclusive, anti-stigmatizing, and justice-oriented discourse. Full article

This study emerges in Chile within the framework of an academic and political debate on inclusion, focused mainly on quantitative studies. Little is known about how the population and social groups give meaning to the experience of inclusion and exclusion from their subjectivity and sociocultural contexts. Adopting a phenomenological and social representation approach, the research explores the perspectives of thirty individuals with disabilities across eleven cities in the Valparaíso Region. Unveiling their narratives, the study identifies employment, participation, and recognition of identity as pivotal to inclusion. Yet, predominant themes center around exclusion, stemming from perceived limited healthcare access, discrimination, job instability, state neglect, and universal accessibility deficits. Findings underscore a persistent charitable view of disability, perpetuating inequality across various dimensions. This study illuminates the nuanced meanings and experiences shaping social inclusion and exclusion in the region, contributing valuable insights to its broader discourse. Full article