Development of core sets for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: the perspectives of individuals with lived experience.

Background: The needs of people with deafblindness remain poorly understood and addressed globally. This study is part of a larger body of work to develop Core Sets for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).

Aim: To determine the perspectives on functioning of individuals with lived experience of deafblindness as they relate to the ICF.

Assistive technology for people with deafblindness in Southern Africa: a Delphi study exploring dimensions of impact.

Purpose: Assistive technology (AT) is a highly effective intervention to address the capability gap for people living with deafblindness. The My AT Outcomes Framework (MyATOF) is a novel Australian framework founded upon AT process principles and outcomes research. It guides stakeholders to articulate AT use according to 6 dimensions.

Examples of individual supported living for adults with intellectual disability.

Background: This article provides a qualitative account of four models of support for adults with intellectual disability in individual supported living (ISL) arrangements.

Materials And Methods: Completion of the first 50 evaluations of 150 arrangements for the third phase of the ISL project provided the examples.

Results: Four approaches are described: living alone, co-residency, relationship and host family.

Interacting with adults with congenital deafblindness: The experiences of disability support workers.

Background: This study aimed to gain greater insight into the perspectives of staff on their interactions with adults with congenital deafblindness in light of the research literature reporting these interactions to be lacking in quality and quantity.

Method: Data from interviews with 8 disability support workers were analysed using the approach described by Charmaz (2006).

Results: Three key themes emerged from the interview data, which support and elaborate on findings of previous studies.

Observing the behaviour and interactions of adults with congenital deafblindness living in community residences.

Background: Adults with congenital deafblindness (CDB) have received little attention from researchers. In this study we examined the nature of interactions between adults with CDB and the staff who mediate their support, and investigated the reliability of an observation coding system, originally designed for observing adults with severe intellectual disability.

Method: The behaviours of 9 adults with CDB, including their interactions with support staff from 2 community residences, were recorded and subsequently coded by 2 observers.