Reiko Hayashi

The unemployment of women with physical disabilities in Ghana: issues and recommendations

Unemployment among persons with disabilities is high. The situation is worse for women with disabilities as they experience multiple disadvantages on account of gender and disability. The condition for women with disabilities in Ghana could be more complicated, given the intersection of disability, gender, poverty, cultural beliefs and practices. As employment provides not only income for women with disabilities but opportunities for social participation and increases psychological well-being as well as self-esteem, it is imperative to remove barriers that hinder their employment. The current study examines issues associted with the unemployment of women with physical disabilities in Tamale, Ghana, and makes recommendations to policy-makers and practitioners in order to improve the condition of persons with disabilities in general, and particularly women with disabilities.

Perceptions About Disability Among Ghanaian University Students

An exploratory/descriptive study was conducted on a sample of university students, including 305 social work and sociology majors, in Ghana to evaluate their attitudes toward disabilities. The findings indicate that the students in general agree with the idea of community integration and equal rights of persons with disabilities. At the same time, they are ambivalent about characteristics of persons with disabilities and feel uncomfortable interacting with them. Further, a substantive minority holds strong prejudices against persons with disabilities. Universities should provide their students with opportunities to improve knowledge and attitudes about disabilities.

The effect of exposure to a professor with a visible disability on students' attitudes toward disabilities.

An exploratory study was conducted on a small convenience sample of undergraduate social work students. The Modified Issues in Disability Scale was used to collect data on attitudes toward disability. There was no statistically significant difference in the attitudes scores among students who had different levels of contact with persons with disabilities. There was, however, a statistically significant difference between students who had a professor with a disability and those who did not. The former had more positive attitudes toward disability. These findings suggest that schools of social work should recruit more professors with disabilities.

An Exploratory Study on Attitudes Toward Persons with Disabilities Among U.S. and Japanese Social Work Students

ABSTRACT This exploratory study was conducted to understand and compare attitudes among social work students in the United States and Japan toward people with disabilities. The Modified Issues in Disabilities Scale (MIDS), designed to measure attitudes toward people with physical disabilities, was implemented on convenient samples of 92 U.S. and 73 Japanese social work students. The findings suggest that social work students in both countries hold moderately positive attitudes. Other similarities as well as differences among the sampled students from the two countries, and their implications to social work education, will be discussed in this paper.

Measuring the Diversity Awareness of Social Work Students: The Dual Perspective Inventory

The Dual Perspective Inventory was implemented to measure the diversity awareness of first‐year MSW students at a university in the western U.S. Data were collected at the beginning of the first semester from students who enrolled in a course on diversity, and again at the end of the semester when the students were about to complete the course. The mean scores of both the before and after surveys indicated that the average MSW student had an acceptable level of diversity awareness and that their awareness increased during the semester. Findings also showed that students who were racial minorities, GLBT, disabled, and/or of non‐U.S. origin had a higher level of awareness than students from the dominant culture (white heterosexual nondisabled and U.S. native) in the after survey, as well as a greater increase in awareness level over the course of the semester.

The independent living movement in Asia: solidarity from Japan

Independent living movements of disabled people are emerging in Asian countries, supported by independent living centres (ILCs) in Japan. A study was conducted in Japan to explore the impact of the training program offered by Japanese ILCs to disabled people from other Asian countries. A sample of 35 people was selected by a snowballing method. The sample included former trainees from Asian countries and Japanese personnel from disability organizations involved with the training program. In‐depth interviews and a focus group were conducted to obtain information about the program, the experiences of the trainees and Japanese hosts and the budding independent living movement in Asia.

Exploring Trends: Tracking Evaluations Data Over Several Months by Therapists and Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT A pilot study was conducted at the outpatient rehabilitation unit of a childrens hospital to explore the overall performance trends of children in daily life as perceived by their parents, compared to the evaluations of therapists. A performance goal was set for each child by his/her therapist and parent at an initial consultation. Over a six-month period, data were collected from the parents of children with cerebral palsy (N = 53), and therapists assessed children at each therapy session as well. The evaluations of both parents and therapists showed statistically significant upward trends in performance over several months.

Child welfare needs in Mongolia: A collaborative exploration among three universities

English Mongolias rapid transition to a capitalist ecomony resulted in family disintegration and child homelessness. This article, based on interviews with six youths who spent several years in an orphanage, suggests that institutionalization is not a solution. Although generalizations require caution, the study supports the importance of developing family preservation policies. French La transition rapide de la Mongolie en une économie capitaliste a pour résultats la désintégration de la famille et la multiplication des enfants sans abris. Cet article, basé sur les interviews de six jeunes ayant passé plusieurs années dans un orphelinat, suggère que l’institutionnalisation n’est pas une solution. Bien qu’il faille se méfier des généralisations, l’étude souligne l’importance du développement des politiques de préservation des familles. Spanish La transición rápida de Mongolia a una economía capitalista resulto en desintegración familiar y niños sin techo. Este artículo, basado en entrevistas con seis jóvenes que pasaron varios años en un orfanato, sugiere que la institucionalización no es buena solución. Aunque las generalizaciones requieren cautela, el estudio apoya la importancia de desarrollar políticas que preserven a la familia.