Navaraj Anandan | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

A participatory program evaluation of a systems change program to improve access to information technology by people with disabilities.

PURPOSE: To pilot-test and evaluate an innovative program providing information technology (IT) access to people with disabilities transitioning out of nursing homes into the community using a participatory approach. METHODS: Pre- and post-training data was collected on the 61 program participants to reflect three broad areas related to the IT training experience: performance; self-efficacy; importance, satisfaction and control. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants and five members of the program staff to explore environmental barriers to IT access for this group and the efficacy of the program in addressing these barriers. Data analyses followed a mixed methods approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques. RESULTS: Participants showed substantive changes in different spheres of IT use after completion of training. Post-training changes were significant particularly in areas related to self-efficacy, importance and satisfaction pertaining to use of IT. Qualitative findings substantiated the quantitative results and also revealed the numerous barriers to IT access that persons with disabilities continue to face within their communities. CONCLUSION: Results indicate the feasibility, effectiveness and value of IT access to people with disabilities particularly those transitioning from institutional life to community living. Further action research aimed at increasing IT access for this group within local communities and neighborhoods is needed to address this issue at a broader societal level.

Access to Information↗

PubMed2006

Impairments and perceived competence in persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Medical advances have transformed HIV/AIDS from a short-term terminal illness to a long-term chronic condition. Consequently, the disability experience of persons with HIV illness has shifted from issues related to physical well-being to those concerning performance of daily life activities and wider community participation. These changes have necessitated rehabilitation interventions for persons with HIV/AIDS to focus on issues related to enabling participation in all spheres of everyday activities. However, limited information is available on the impairments prevalent in the emergent population of people living with HIV/AIDS and on the impact of these impairments on the person's functional performance and participation in various occupations of daily living. The present study attempted to explore these issues as they are experienced by the emergent population of people living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the study was: (1) to explore occupational functioning across various activities, (2) to describe the various impairments prevalent in this population, and (3) to examine the impact of these impairments on the person's perceived occupational competence. Two instruments, the Sign and symptom checklist for persons with HIV disease and the Occupational Self-Assessment were administered to a sample of 35 individuals (Mean age=42.8 yrs.) living in supportive living facilities. Impairments most commonly identified by the participants included: fatigue; fear/worries; difficulty concentrating; muscle aches; and depression. The two primary areas of occupational functioning where participants reported experiencing moderate to severe difficulty included: managing finances and physically engaging in activities which were reported by 67.7% and 35.5% of the participants respectively. No statistically significant correlation was observed between various measures of impairments and the overall measure of perceived occupational competence for the sample of individuals living with HIV/AIDS included in this study.

Adult↗