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1 – 10 of 725The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical roots of the modern relationship between health and education. The author draws on the work of Michel Foucault and Georges…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical roots of the modern relationship between health and education. The author draws on the work of Michel Foucault and Georges Canguilhem to make the case that the transformation of medical knowledge in the early nineteenth century created new ways knowing that was the foundation of a modern relationship between health and education.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the archives of ophthalmology, the author demonstrates how new medical knowledge and scientific methods were the basis of investigations of the eyesight of school children in the early nineteenth century. These investigations reflected the nineteenth century scientific ethos that placed a premium on techniques such as counting, measuring, statistical reasoning, and empirical observation to form the grounds of legitimacy of an autonomous “objective” knowledge. The modern relationship between health and education was an instance of a generalized medico-scientific interest in the health of populations that utilized the methods of empirical positivist science whose speculative interest was aimed at defining the normal.
Findings
Scientific investigations of the eyesight of school children in the early nineteenth century contributed to the formation of an anatomo-politics of the body and a biopolitics of population through a “medical mathematics” that defined a relation between eyesight, health and education.
Originality/value
This study illustrates how sources such as the archives of ophthalmology can broaden and deepen our understanding of the relation between health and education.
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Shlomo Yitzhaki and Maggie Eisenstaedt
Ranking groups (schools, regions, counties) according to the average score of their constituent parts – say, ranking schools by the academic achievements of students – is a common…
Abstract
Ranking groups (schools, regions, counties) according to the average score of their constituent parts – say, ranking schools by the academic achievements of students – is a common yardstick in evaluation and a cornerstone of any planning process. In this paper we show that under certain circumstances the ranking of groups, unlike the ranking of individuals, can be affected by the examiner. The fact that a ranking reversal is possible does not necessarily imply that the test itself is deficient, it merely reveals that the groups are non-homogeneous and therefore, the ranking of groups is meaningless. An investigation of the conditions under which such manipulation can occur leads us to suggest new statistical indicators as warning signals that can help one recognize such situations if and when they arise. It turns out that these indicators are related to the indicators for finding whether one distribution dominates another.
THE preservation of the eyes and the ability to make the best use of them are obviously of the utmost importance to all those concerned with aviation, whether in connexion with…
Abstract
THE preservation of the eyes and the ability to make the best use of them are obviously of the utmost importance to all those concerned with aviation, whether in connexion with flying itself or with aircraft production.
This paper aims to examine accessibility in the built environment and tries to determine the physical and attitudinal barriers affecting Persons with Visual Disabilities' (PWVDs…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine accessibility in the built environment and tries to determine the physical and attitudinal barriers affecting Persons with Visual Disabilities' (PWVDs) experience on the University of Jordan (UJ) campus.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a descriptive mixed-methods study, based on the following: data collection regarding PWVDs' services at UJ; semi-structured interviews with PWVDs and with some employees at UJ; observations, photographs and direct measurements during campus tours; accompanying one student with poor eyesight when navigating through UJ campus; then, analyzing data in light of the national code's accessibility checklist.
Findings
UJ campus suffers from many shortcomings regarding accessibility; these include an insufficient pedestrian environment, limited tactile paths, low illuminance levels in lecture halls and other inadequate services. Besides, there are many infringements on PWVDs' paths, due to either new expansions or unconscious behavior. Moreover, interpersonal barriers prevent PWVDs from using assistive equipment and accommodation. The study concludes that preserving pedestrians' rights, monitoring new expansions, renovating the UJ campus in accordance with national codes and international standards, improving PWVDs services and awareness-raising programs are needed to ensure accessibility for PWVDs.
Originality/value
New legislation has been recently passed regarding accessibility in Jordan, and – on the UJ campus – the first phase of tactile paving has been installed. This paper is believed to be the first of its kind to evaluate PWVDs' services following the new changes. The study's methodology might also be deemed useful to stakeholders when enabling the built environment.
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Explains the health and safety directives and regulations and suggeststhe kinds of action that employers should be taking to ensurecompliance. Suggests that the increased pace of…
Abstract
Explains the health and safety directives and regulations and suggests the kinds of action that employers should be taking to ensure compliance. Suggests that the increased pace of modern office work puts health and safety in the office on management′s agenda, and points out that the employer is obliged to keep up to date with the state of the art to achieve the objectives of the directive. A key concept in the regulations is that employers should analyse existing display screen equipment workplaces to assess risks. Explains the most important regulations, discusses key issues and provides brief management checklists.
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Hull‐based company Electronic Automation is finding a ready market for well engineered inspection systems using machine vision. Jack Hollingum went to find out.
The European Community Directive 90/270/EEC, issued in 1990, concerns the minimum health and safety standards of display screen users. The Directive becomes law in the UK and the…
Abstract
The European Community Directive 90/270/EEC, issued in 1990, concerns the minimum health and safety standards of display screen users. The Directive becomes law in the UK and the rest of Europe on 1 January 1993 and instructs national administrations to bring the laws and regulations necessary to make it effective into force. In the UK this responsibility falls to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This paper describes possible risks to workers using display screen equipment, standards relating to visual display terminals, the provisions of the Directive, how these have been interpreted by the HSE in its draft legislation and the implications of this legislation for libraries.
Leah Rohlfsen and Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld
Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition in persons ages 65 and older and is projected to increase substantially as the population ages. The purpose of this research is…
Abstract
Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition in persons ages 65 and older and is projected to increase substantially as the population ages. The purpose of this research is to assess if age, duration of arthritis, and severity of arthritis exert independent effects on various aspects of the disability process: functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations. Type of arthritis, socio-demographic factors, behavioral factors, and additional health statuses are also examined. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement study, results show age and severity of arthritis are related to the number of functional limitations one has and to the odds of having ADL and IADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is positively related to functional limitations and to the odds of reporting ADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is not significantly related to IADL limitations, which are strongly linked to performing social roles and have less to do with physical functioning compared to ADL tasks and functional tasks. There is no difference between those with established arthritis compared to those who have had it for a shorter time period, suggesting those with arthritis adapt to social tasks better than physical tasks. The resources used to cope with IADL limitations may be more effective over time compared to those used to cope with functional limitations and ADL disability. Understanding the context of functional limitations and disability among those with arthritis may lead to improved support and care for those living with arthritis.
Antti Konttila, Marja Harjumaa, Salla Muuraiskangas, Mikko Jokela and Minna Isomursu
This article aims to explore the possibilities and use of a mobile technology‐supported audio annotation system that can be used for attaching free‐formatted audio annotations to…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to explore the possibilities and use of a mobile technology‐supported audio annotation system that can be used for attaching free‐formatted audio annotations to physical objects. The solution can help visually impaired people to identify objects and associate additional information with these objects.
Design/methodology/approach
A human‐centred design approach was adopted in the system's development and potential end‐users were involved in the development process. In order to evaluate the emerging use cases, as well as the usefulness and usability of the application, a qualitative field trial was conducted with ten visually impaired or blind users.
Findings
The findings show that visually impaired users learned to use the application easily and found it easy and robust to use. Most users responded positively towards the idea of tagging items with their own voice messages. Some users found the technology very useful and saw many possibilities for using it in the future. The most common targets for tagging were food items; however, some users had difficulties in integrating the solution with their everyday practices.
Originality/value
This paper presents an innovative mobile phone application with a touch and audio user interface. The actual use cases describe the everyday needs of visually impaired people and this information might be valuable to service providers and technology developers. Also, the experiences gained from these trials can be used when developing software for the visually impaired on other platforms.
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Muhammad Naeem, Wilson Ozuem and Philippa Ward
This study offers an understanding of vulnerable populations' experiences of actual use of mobile banking and their expectations of mobile banking (MB).
Abstract
Purpose
This study offers an understanding of vulnerable populations' experiences of actual use of mobile banking and their expectations of mobile banking (MB).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were generated from MB customers and bankers using online reviews, focus groups and semi-structured interviews, as a mix of methods and sources can provide rich and in-depth understanding.
Findings
The affordance of MB for vulnerable populations is explained in four concepts: meaning, material, competency and usability. Recommendations that could further engage and improve the service quality of MB apps for vulnerable populations include customization and personalization of services, access to the digital health data of members of vulnerable populations, audio-based option selection and touchscreen options, and enhancement of service and performance standards.
Research limitations/implications
It is suggested that retail bankers should improve the service quality and performance of their MB apps by considering the recommendations drawn from vulnerable people's experiences. This study discusses implications for retailers.
Originality/value
This study applied social practice theory and affordance of technology theory to understand how those in vulnerable populations experienced MB apps; the results could be used to improve the accessibility, performance and service quality of MB apps.
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