Earticle

본 연구는 청각, 지적 장애 1급을 가지고 있으며 경남에 거주하는 비만 장애인을 대상으로 2명의 보조자와 함께 40주간 장기적으로 다양한 운동 프로그램을 적용시키는 것이다. 장애인에게 장기적 운동으로 신체변화의 효과를 검증하고 신 체 기초 자료를 제공하는데 그 목적이 있다. 대조군과 실험 군으로 나누어 40주간 주5일 1시간 이상 다양한 유산소적 운동을 실시하였다. 결과물로는 신체조성, 콜레스테롤, 요산의 수치를 검증 하였으며 실험 군과 대조군의 평균수치 개 인비교로 검증하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 신체조성과 혈중 콜레스테롤, 요산 수치는 실험 군이 대조군에 비해 큰 차이와 감소 경향을 보였다. 이는 운동의 장기적 효과의 우수성을 보여주는 결과이며 장애인들에게 아동기부터 다양한 유산소적 운동 프로그램을 적용하여 생활하도록 시킨다면 삶의 질을 높일 수 있을 것이다. 또한 합병증(비만 등)으로 고생하는 장애들에게 신체변화를 통해 자신감을 줄 수 있으며 사회적으로 체계적인 관리와 운동 프로그램을 보다 빨리 적용 시켜야 할 것으로 판단된다.

This study aimed to apply various long-term exercise programs for 40 weeks to obese people with profound hearing loss and severe and profound intellectual disabilities living in Gyeongnam area with two assistants. It is intended to verify the effects of long-term workout plans on body change of people with disabilities and provide the basic body mass index information to them. The study divided the subjects into the control group and the experimental group and conducted various aerobic exercises for over an hour for five days a week for 40 weeks. The study verified body composition and cholesterol and uric acid levels and draw the following conclusions after verifying the average levels of the experimental group and the control group through individual comparison: Body composition and blood cholesterol and uric acid levels of the experimental group were significantly different and lower than the control group. This showed the excellent effect of long-term exercises and it is expected to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by encouraging them to apply various aerobic workout programs from their childhood. In addition, people with disabilities who are suffering from compilations (obesity, etc.) can build confidence by changing their body and it is thought to be necessary to apply socially systematic management and exercise programs to them as early as possible in their childhood.

연구목적: 본 연구의 목적은 Chan(2014)이 개발하고 Brooks et al. (2021)가 정신장애인을 대상으로 수정 및 타당화한 장애인 직무만족 척도(Job Satisfaction of People with Disability Scale: JSPDS)를 한국어로 번안하고, 1개월 이상 취업 상태를 유지하고 있는 국내 정신장애인을 대상으로 타당화하는 것이다. 연구방법: 이를 위해 전문가 번안 과정을 거쳐 원척도의 14문항을 최종문항으로 확정하였다. 자료 수집 및 분석은 수도권 및 경상지역 정신재활시설과 정신장애인 당사자 온라인 커뮤니티를 통해 이루어졌으며, 총 155명(남자 96명, 여자 54명)의 자료를 Jamovi 2.3.18로 분석하였다. 연구결과: 확인적 요인분석 통해 JSPDS-K는 원척도와 동일하게 유형적(tangible) 혜택의직무만족과 무형적(intangible) 혜택의 직무만족의 두 가지 하위요인으로 구성된 2요인 구조로 나타났다. 또한, JSPDS-K와 직무만족(MSQ), 일가치감(PVW), 사회적지지(MSPSS), 삶의 만족(SWLS) 간의 관계를 분석하여 JSPDS-K의 구성타당도, 동시타당도, 증분타당도를 검증하였다. 척도의 신뢰도를 검증한 결과, 전체문항과 각 하위요인의 내적합치도 또한 적절한 수준임을 확인하였다. 결론: 본 연구는 정신장애인의 직무만족을 측정하는 도구가 전무한 국내 상황에서, 이를 객관적으로 파악할 수 있는 척도를 타당화했다는 점에서 의의가 있다. 나아가 본 척도는 정신장애인 직업재활 서비스의 질적 향상을 위한 연구의 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

Purpose: This study aims to translate the Job Satisfaction of People with Disability Scale (JSPDS), developed by Chan (2014) and revised for individuals with mental disabilities by Brooks et al. (2021), into Korean and validate it among employed individuals with mental disabilities in South Korea. Method: The 14 items of the original scale were finalized through expert translation and adaptation. Data were collected from 155 participants (96 males, 54 females) through mental health rehabilitation facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gyeongsang region, as well as online communities for individuals with mental disabilities. Analysis was conducted using Jamovi 2.3.18. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the JSPDS-K retains the original two-factor structure, comprising job satisfaction from tangible and intangible benefits. The relationships between the JSPDS-K and other measures, such as the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), Perceived Valaue of Work (PVW), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), supported its construct, concurrent, and incremental validity. The internal consistency of the overall scale and sub-factors was also satisfactory. Conclusion: This study provides a validated tool to objectively assess job satisfaction for individuals with mental disabilities, filling a gap in the field. Furthermore the JSPDS-K can support research aimed at enhancing vocational rehabilitation services for this population in South Korea.

Objective To determine the degree of disparity in unmet healthcare needs between people with disabilities and the general population in South Korea, and to analyze their perspective reasons. Method Survey results of 9,744 subjects that participated in the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 7,000 people that participated in the 2008 Survey of Disabled people were used in this population-based cross-sectional study. Unmet healthcare needs were identified as reporting experience during the last 12 months when there was a need to see a doctor, but were unable to get it. We assessed unmet healthcare needs by demographic variables, social variables and characteristics of disability. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to determine which variables were related to unmet healthcare needs. Results A total of 22.1% of people with disabilities and 22.8% of the general population had unmet healthcare needs. However, brain impairment (25.3%) and physical impairment (25.2%) had more unmet healthcare needs than the general population and other disabilities. Unmet healthcare needs of people with disabilities was related to sex, age, self-perceived health, marital status, income, occupation and category of disability. Whereas the reasons for unmet healthcare needs in people with disabilities were lack of money (57.3%) and inaccessible transportation (12.8%), those for the general population were no available time (30.2%) and mild symptoms (23.8%). Conclusion Brain and physical impairment cases with limitations to accessible transportation had the higher unmet healthcare needs. In addition, the reasons for people with these disabilities were more environmental than those of the general population.

Twenty years post implementation of the Employment Equity Act; people with disabilities continue to experience high unemployment rates and workforce participation level of less than 50 percent of working age population (15 to 64 years old). The other three designated groups affected by this Act, women, visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples, each has seen a significant increase in workforce participation rates at all levels of the federally regulated workforce; however, people with disabilities have not benefited equally from this law. Other researchers and writers have done a substantial amount of work to identify the reasons why employment and people with disabilities appear to be incompatible, and to identify employment-related barriers. This paper will build on the knowledge published by preceding writers, but instead of focussing on employment barriers, it will focus on factors which can enable over 800,000 self-identified employees with disabilities to be currently employed in the Canadian workforce. More specifically, this research will evaluate several key components of the work environment, and then, it will review biographical records of people with disabilities who are successfully employed despite being confronted by existing barriers. The objective of this work is to draw conclusions about success factors which are instrumental for some persons with disabilities to thrive in the competitive world of work. The researcher anticipates identification of these success factors may be used by other persons with disabilities to achieve similar positive outcomes in employment, thus increasing the workforce participation rate in line with the members of the other three equity groups designated in the Employment Equity Act

This paper concerns with the application of e-based education methodology for people with disabilities targeting to empower them. Instead of the classic educational support such as extended time to take exams, a reader and/or scribe to assist with exams and note taking services, we suggest the use of new pedagogy-the science of educations integrating the state-of-the art. In this paper, we introduce the definition of disabilities for the people who does not fully understand what they means, first, and then possible implementing tools which can empower them with accomplishments. Most of the research in the field of pedagogy has tended to concentrate on the behavioral aspects of instructional sciences. Therefore we would like to point out that we concentrate on the aspects of instructional science particularly related with people with disabilities.

This study investigated digital inclusion for Students with Disabilities in government-funded universities in Kenya and proposed a framework to address existing gaps. A qualitative research design was employed, drawing on semi-structured interviews with thirty purposively selected librarians from six public universities: Kenyatta, Egerton, Maseno, South Eastern Kenya, the Technical University of Mombasa, and Garissa. NVivo software supported data management, while thematic analysis guided the identification of recurrent patterns. Findings indicate that, despite institutional efforts to promote inclusivity, systemic barriers persist. Policies on disability inclusion are inconsistently enforced, financial and infrastructural support remains insufficient, and available assistive technologies are outdated or poorly integrated. Limited provision of alternative content formats, underutilization of built-in accessibility features, inadequate user training, and weak feedback mechanisms undermine equitable access to digital library resources. These challenges demonstrate the need for a context-specific framework that strengthens monitoring and evaluation, enhances staff capacity, fosters interdepartmental collaboration, and ensures sustainable policy support. The study contributes to the literature on digital inclusion by moving beyond accessibility models to propose a framework rooted in empirical evidence from a resource-constrained context. Theoretically, it enriches understandings of how digital environments can both enable and hinder participation. At the policy level, it underscores the urgency of aligning institutional practices with global accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and the Marrakesh Treaty. Practically, it offers librarians and university administrators actionable strategies for advancing equitable access, positioning them as key actors in fostering inclusive digital environments.

대한민국에서 장애인은 대기오염으로 인해 더 큰 건강 피해를 경험할 수 있다. 그러나 현재의 대기오염 대응 및 건강 보호 정책은 장애인의 구조적 취약성을 충분히 고려하지 않고 있다. 본 시론은 장애인이 왜 대기오염으로 인한 건강 피해에 더 취약한지를 설명하고, 현행 정책의 한계를 살펴본다. 또한 장애인의 필요를 제대로 반영한 정책으로 나아가기 위한 방향을 제안한다. 사례로, 2025년에 실시된 '뇌성마비 장애인 실태 및 지원방안 연구' 자료를 토대로 뇌성마비 장애인의 마스크 착용 경험을 살펴보았다. 마스크를 자주 착용하지 않는다고 대답한 사람들 가운데 49.2%는 숨쉬기 어렵거나 침 흘림 등 신체적 특성 때문에 마스크를 계속 착용하기 힘들다고 답했다. 또한 30.7%는 마스크 착용 자체에 큰 불편감이나 거부감을 느낀다고 밝혔다. 이러한 어려움은 '마스크를 쓰지 않으려는 태도'의 문제가 아니라, 신체적 또는 심리적 제약에서 비롯된 것이다. 그러나 현재의 마스크 관련 정책 및 지침은 이러한 상황을 충분히 반영하지 못하고 있다. 이와 같은 문제는 대기오염 예·경보제, 미세먼지 쉼터, 대기오염 관련 안내 자료 등 다른 건강 보호 대책에서도 비슷하게 나타날 가능성이 크다. 따라서 대기오염으로부터 장애인의 건강을 보호하기 위해서는 세 가지 변화가 필요하다. 첫째, 대기오염 관련 법과 계획에서 장애인을 대기오염에 취약한 집단으로 분명하게 포함하고, 둘째, 장애 유형과 특성을 고려하여 건강 보호 정책을 다시 설계하며, 셋째, 정책을 만들고 평가하는 과정에 장애 당사자가 직접 참여할 수 있도록 해야 한다.

Persons with disabilities in South Korea face disproportionate health risks from air pollution, yet current health protection policies do not adequately recognize or address their vulnerability. This perspective article documents the vulnerability of persons with disabilities to air pollution, explores gaps in the recognition and protection of this population in current policies, and discusses paths toward disability-responsive protection policies. As a case study, we analyzed mask-wearing behaviors among adults with cerebral palsy using data from the 2025 nationwide Study on the Current Status and Support Measures for Persons with Cerebral Palsy. Among those not wearing masks regularly, 49.2% cited physical difficulty maintaining mask use due to respiratory issues or oral/physiological factors, and 30.7% reported significant psychological resistance. These barriers are fundamentally different from compliance issues among the general population and are not addressed in current mask-related policies. Similar gaps likely exist across other protective measures, including alert systems, clean air shelters, and educational materials. Addressing these gaps requires three essential steps: explicit recognition of persons with disabilities as a vulnerable population in policy frameworks, redesign of interventions to accommodate diverse disability-related needs, and meaningful participation of disability communities in policy development and evaluation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate undergraduate student's attitudes toward person with disabilities. Design: Questionnaire-based study Methods: This study conducted a survey of 350 undergraduate students attending two universities in cities B and C from March to April 2024. Out of a total of 350 questionnaires, 334 questionnaires were analyzed after excluding 16 questionnaires due to incomplete content. The questionnaire was revised and enhanced by the researchers and was supplemented through revision and verification by another occupational therapist as professor. Results: As a result of the study, significant differences in undergraduate students' positive attitudes toward the disabled were found to be gender and taking disability-related curriculum, while significant differences in negative attitudes were found to be gender, presence of a disabled person in the family, and religion. Gender, taking disability-related curriculum, and religion showed significant differences in neutral attitude, and in all areas, gender, taking disability-related subjects, having a family member with a disability, and religion showed significant differences. Conclusions: Factors that influence undergraduate students' attitudes toward person with disabilities include gender, whether or not they take disability-related curriculum, whether a family member is disabled, and religion. As our society's policies and perceptions of person with disabilities are rapidly changing, in order to improve our society's attitude and awareness of disabilities, we need to provide students with a correct understanding of disabilities and develop positive attitudes through positive experiences about disabilities. Educational programs should be provided.

Purpose: This study examined the injury and rehabilitation of athletes with disabilities in racket sports projects (i.e., badminton, table tennis, and wheelchair tennis). In addition, the characteristics of each project and the differences among those projects are discussed. Methods: Business team athletes with disabilities in racket sport were enrolled as subjects (i.e., 19 badminton athletes, 19 table tennis athletes, and 19 wheelchair tennis athletes). The real conditions of the injury, injury severity, injury site, symptoms, and rehabilitation methods after injury were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were observed among the actual condition, injury severity, symptoms and the methods of rehabilitation on racket sport for athletes (i.e., badminton, table tennis, and wheelchair tennis athletes) with disability. The differences were focused mainly on the injury sites due to the characteristics of the different projects, and specific technical actions. Conclusion: This study examined the real condition of the injury, injury severity, injury site, symptoms and rehabilitation methods after the injury on the rackets (i.e., badminton, table tennis, and wheelchair tennis) athletes with disabilities. The data can be used to eliminate the incidence of injury and minimize the injury severity for racket athletes with disabilities. In addition, it can also be used for the disabled, who like racket projects, as the fundamental material to prevent injury and assist in recovery.

본 연구는 가족기능, 사회적 지원, 부모양육 스트레스, 그리고 어머니 상호작용 유형이 장애를 가진 어린 아동의 발달에 미치는 영향을 검증하고자 하였다. 연구 참여자는 자폐증/ 광범위성 발달장애(PDD)로 진단되었거나, 또는 일반적인 발달장애를 가진 50명의 아동과 그 어머니들이다. 자료 수집은 어머니와 아동의 상호작용 평가를 위해 비디오 촬영이 이루어졌으며, 가족기능, 사회적 지원, 부모양육 스트레스를 평가하기 위해 어머니에 의한 자기-보고식 질문지가 수행되었다. 상관관계 분석결과는 가족 기능, 사회적 지원, 부모양육 스트레스, 그리고 어머니 상호작용 유형 간에 낮거나 중간정도의 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타내었다. 위계적 회귀분석(Hierarchical regression analysis)결과는 가족 변인들(가족 응집력, 지원에 대한 만족, 부모의 스트레스)과 어머니의 반응성이 아동발달 수준에 영향력이 있는지를 나타내었다. 특히. 어머니의 반응성은 변인의 14%를 설명하면서 아동발달에 대해 가장 유의미한 예측변인으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 위계적 회귀분석 결과는 어머니의 반응성이 아동발달에 미치는 영향력에 대해 가족요인이 중재적이라는 가설을 지지하였다

This study was to examined influences of family functioning, social support, parenting stress, and mothers' interactive style on the child development of young children with disabilities. Participants consisted of 50 mothers and their children who either had general developmental disabilities or had been diagnosed with Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The data used for this study included videotaped observations of parent-child play; a play based assessment; and standardized measures of mothers family functioning, social support and parenting stress. Correlational analysis indicated that there were low to moderate levels of correlations among family functioning, social support, parenting stress and mothers' interactive style. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both family factors (family cohesion, satisfaction with support and parenting stress) and maternal responsiveness contributed independently to children's rate of development. However, maternal responsiveness was the strongest predictor, accounting for 14% of the variance in children’s development. Results from the hierarchical regression were supportive of the hypothesis that family factors moderate the impact of maternal responsiveness on children‘s development.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the multiple mediating effects of self-esteem, depression, and crisis coping on the relationship between disability acceptance and life satisfaction among older adults with disabilities, comparing periods before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: This study employed a longitudinal comparative design, using data from waves 1?5 of the Disability and Life Dynamics Panel. The sample was divided into pre-pandemic (2018?2019) and pandemic (2020?2022) periods. Roy’s adaptation model served as the theoretical framework. Multiple mediation effects were examined using the PROCESS macro (Model 6). Results: Both the direct and indirect effects of disability acceptance on life satisfaction were significant, indicating partial mediation. In the pre-pandemic period, approximately 60% of the total effect was attributable to the direct effect and 40% to the indirect effect. During the pandemic, the proportion shifted, with the direct effect decreasing to 49% and the total indirect effect increasing to 51%. Conclusion: In crisis situations such as a pandemic, self-esteem, depression, and crisis coping play crucial roles in improving life satisfaction among older adults with disabilities. These findings highlight the need for policy approaches that consider diverse socio-psychological factors to increase life satisfaction among older adults during pandemics.

This study was performed on 26 disabled adolescent participants(16 male, 10 female) with the objective of testing changes in equilibrium after engagement in horseback riding. Participants of total 26 persons were divided into three groups as follows: 6 children with Cerebral Palsy(CP), 14 children with Intellectual Disability(ID) and 6 children with Autism(AT). Participants engaged in therapeutic horseback riding(TR) two times per week for 30 minutes per session. The 26 participants demonstrated a considerable increase in equilibrium ability, with an average increase in equilibrium time of 44.22±50.70 sec after TR. Equilibrium also increased according to disability group: CP(P<0.05), ID(P<0.001), and AT(P<0.05). TR should be considered as a possible method for improving functionality in the physically disabled. This data may also be usefully applied to the development of a horseback riding program for the improvement of equilibrium in the disabled.

Current Korean society’s demographic cliff has led to a significant decrease in the school-age population in Korea, resulting in many universities failing to meet their enrollment quotas and experiencing prolonged financial difficulties. Consequently, an increasing number of universities are viewing students with disabilities primarily as a means to address financial concerns rather than investing in the distinctiveness of their higher education programs. This study aimed to investigate how Korean recent historical and social norms have influenced the current perspective of universities towards students with disabilities. The research methods involved conducting individual interviews with two groups: students with disabilities and professionals. The analysis revealed that Korean societal norms, shaped by the country's compressed modernization in recent history, have significantly impacted the current situation of students with disabilities in universities. Furthermore, it was revealed that the historical and political norms of Korea's modern and contemporary history influenced public attitudes toward people with disabilities. The national crisis of demographic cliff has directly affected universities' financial stability, leading to the expansion of ‘untapped market’ in higher education by providing admission opportunities to minority groups, including students with disabilities. Through the voices of interviewees, this study critically examined the phenomenon of some universities granting admission to students with disabilities for financial purposes without providing proper support after admission. This situation raises fundamental questions about the meaning of higher education in contemporary Korean society. Grounded on the results of analysis, this research suggested the direction of future research.

Background/Objectives: Facility-based rehabilitation is challenging for adults with disabilities in South Korea. Guided by Andersen's Behavioral Model, the factors linked to non-use of rehabilitation and preference for strengthening home-based rehabilitation, were examined. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 7,601 adults with disabilities, including 3,936 aged ³65 years, from the 2023 Survey of People with Disabilities, were analyzed. Non-use indicates that none of the eight listed therapy modalities were used. Preference refers to the choosing of home-based rehabilitation as a strengthening service. Weighted modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). Results: Non-use was common (78.2% of the adults and 74.1% of the older adults). Non-users most often cited no perceived need (44.0%) or doubt about benefit (32.3%). Non-use was more prevalent in those with internal organ disabilities (aPR 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.31) and communication difficulty (1.11, 1.07-1.16), and less prevalent in those with poor self-rated health (0.88, 0.84-0.91) and transportation difficulty (0.93, 0.89-0.97). Preference was reported by 15.2% of adults and 20.5% of older adults. Among non-users, preference was higher with older age (1.73, 1.20-2.49), female sex (1.20, 1.03-1.40), severe disability (1.18, 1.01-1.38), unmet healthcare needs (1.21, 1.02-1.44), and transportation difficulties (1.22, 1.01-1.47). Conclusions: Non-use of rehabilitation and preference for strengthening home-based rehabilitation are distinct, and they are driven largely by separate factors. Policy preference was relatively higher among older adults with severe disabilities and transportation barriers, although the data cannot show whether these groups require or would use such services. The larger group, citing no perceived need, requested rehabilitation awareness and referrals. The cross-sectional design, self-reported measures, and single-forced-choice item temper interpretation.

Objective: This study reviewed the literature to identify evaluation procedures and tool selection considerations for occupational therapists (OTs) working with children and youth. Methods: Peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2001 and 2023 were searched in four databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Four reviewers screened records and extracted data on evaluation processes and tool selection factors, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Results: Of 8,489 records, 21 full texts were assessed, and 7 met the inclusion criteria. With four additional articles identified through supplementary searches, 11 articles were reviewed. Most were literature reviews conducted in Western countries. Only three described evaluation processes for specific pediatric diagnoses, generally progressing from chart review to standardized testing. Nine reported similar tool selection factors regardless of children’s characteristics or evaluation domains. Most evaluation steps emphasized body functions and rarely addressed real-world activities and participation. Conclusion: Structured and comprehensive evaluation protocols for pediatric OTs remain limited. A balanced International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-based assessment framework is needed to facilitate tool selection and interdisciplinary goal-setting. These findings provide a foundation for developing digital decision support systems that promote more systematic and evidence-informed pediatric occupational therapy evaluations.

This study investigated the impact of subjective socioeconomic status (SES) on acceptance of disability among people with disabilities, with a focus on the mediating effects of self-efficacy. A 2019 survey, the 4th survey in the 2nd wave of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED), was utilized for this paper. SPSS 24.0 and SPSS Process Macro Model 4 were applied to analyze the data study. The results demonstrated that subjective SES is positively associated with acceptance of disability; furthermore these two variables are mediated by self-efficacy. That is, people with disabilities who perceive their SES as belonging to an upper class are more likely to have a high level of self-efficacy, which in turn, leads to a higher level of acceptance of their disability. Based on the results, the current research suggests that it is important to prevent people with disabilities from being lower down the social ladder in order to maintain sense of self-efficacy. As a result, they are more likely to develop a positive identity as a person with a disability.

Objective To develop and validate a scale to assess people’s attitudes and perspectives toward persons with disabilities. Methods The three-stage development of the scale included a preliminary version drafted from the literature review and a nominal group process. Thereafter, the draft was examined further and revised through two rounds of Delphi survey by 16 disability experts. Lastly, the psychometric properties of the scale were assessed through an online survey of 1,359 employees at three university hospitals. Results A 32-item scale, defined after two Delphi surveys, was refined into 14 items with four subcategories: community integration, discomfort, charitability, and sense of burdening. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.839 and domain reliability from 0.638 to 0.845. Recent education on disabilities yielded more positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Meaningful acquaintances with disabilities yielded more positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Conclusion This newly developed scale that measures attitudes toward persons with disability is reliable and valid. A future use of the scale could be to measure attitudinal improvements toward persons with disabilities after awareness education.

Do public unions and collective bargaining promote the adoption of disability benefits policy for public employees? Are public employees with disability discriminated against in terms of accommodations and economic compensation, especially disability pension benefits? These questions need to be answered to improve work environments for employees with disabilities. While the numbers of public employees with disabilities have increased due to various reasons, such as legal environment changes(e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act), this study conducted an empirical data analysis using longitudinal PENDAT(pension data) data, which were collected by the Government Finance Officers Association(GFOA) of State and Local Government Employee Retirement Systems in the United States. According to the study results, public employee union representation and collective bargaining in the public sector are positively and significantly associated with economic compensation(i.e., pension benefits) of U.S. government employees with disabilities.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationships between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)-related breastfeeding knowledge, GDM-related breastfeeding health beliefs, and breastfeeding intention. It investigates the factors influencing breastfeeding intention among pregnant women in Nepal. Methods: A total of 229 healthy pregnant women visiting an antenatal clinic in Nepal participated in thisstudy between January and March, 2023. They completed a questionnaire that assessed their GDMrelatedbreastfeeding knowledge, GDM-related breastfeeding health beliefs, and breastfeeding intention. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, one-way analysis ofvariance including Scheff e’s post hoc test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the participants, 86.9% (n ¼ 199) indicated positive breastfeeding intention, even with arelatively low level of GDM-related breastfeeding knowledge. Logistic regression analysis of the factorsinfluencing breastfeeding intention yielded a significant model (c2 ¼ 38.80, p < .001) with significantvariables; GDM-related breastfeeding knowledge [odds ratio (OR): 1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02e1.40], GDM-related breastfeeding health beliefs (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04e1.15), and immediate familyexperience with diabetes mellitus (OR: 5.38, 95% CI: 1.98e14.62). Conclusion: Nurses should lead interventions to educate pregnant women about the benefits ofbreastfeeding that can help in mitigating the long-term effects of GDM and reinforce health beliefsthrough positive experiences. This study provides information demonstrating the need for nurse-ledimprovements in Nepal's GDM management system, from screening to comprehensive care.

Library communities face many problems and limitations in describing alternative format materials based on the traditional MAchine Readable Cataloging (MARC) structure. To address these problems, this research proposes an XML-based descriptive metadata framework that establishes general but fundamental bibliographic aspects of various alternative format materials by providing core elements that are essential in describing these materials. Different from existing bibliographic structures, the proposed metadata framework can represent a fundamental descriptive structure by establishing four upper-level categories, 17 core elements, and 10 sub-elements in a hierarchical structure optimized to alternative format materials. By using this principal descriptive structure, the proposed metadata framework can guide different institutions in the creation of bibliographic records for these materials in a consistent way. It is also expected to address the difficulties in describing alternative format materials in library communities and enhance the information accessibility of individuals with various types of disabilities. In addition, the proposed metadata framework is an alternative approach which functions as a mediator between heterogeneous characteristics of alternative format materials and the existing bibliographic structures in library communities.