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Reframing Inclusion: Cross-cultural interventions for families with Deaf children in Swaziland
Get PDFDeaf children and their families continue to remain at the margins due to lack of services available. While previous studies acknowledge the necessity of having an Early Identification and Family Intervention program, measures have not been taken to implement such a program in Swaziland. This study emphasized the importance of adopting cross-cultural approaches to bridge the communication and cultural gap between Deaf children and their families. This paper asked the question: What interventions can be implemented in Swaziland in order to encourage the integration and inclusion of Deaf children into their families?
The three data collection methods used were: a questionnaire for parents and caregivers at one school for the Deaf, and semi-structured interviews by six parents and eight Deaf students. Findings revealed that there is a gap visible between the existing policies and the practices that are put into place when it comes to inclusiveness. This is largely due to insufficient resources and services available to assist Deaf children and their families, which in turn perpetuates the language and communication gap experienced. The study also revealed the attitudes and beliefs shared by parents and caregivers, and the lack of awareness of the steps to take to ensure inclusiveness. Thus, there is great room for improvement in terms of building the capacity of, and establishing additional services for Deaf children and their families.
KEYWORDS: Inclusion, Early Identification, Cross-cultural Competency, Sign Language, Deaf Culture, Deafness, Biculturalism, Communication Barrie
Enhancing the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Proposal Process to Facilitate the Creation of Academically Enriched Programs
Get PDFFaculty-led programs are distinctive in that they are created through collaborations between study abroad professionals and the faculty who lead them. Faculty leaders are experts in their discipline, while the study abroad administrators are knowledgeable about best practices and theories related to learning abroad. This paper set out to determine what proposal and academic preparation procedures could be developed that incorporate key stakeholders at North Dakota State University and that contribute to the creation of academically sound programs that include student development and experiential/constructivist learning theories. Data was collected through surveys submitted by study abroad administrators at the national and regional level, as well as by faculty leaders at North Dakota State University. A majority of faculty leaders welcomed standardized guidelines, learning objectives, and assessment, as long as it did not interfere with the discipline-specific content. At the same time, very few study abroad professionals reported that they were directly involved with course content, nor had they incorporated standardized learning objectives and assessment. It was determined that the inclusion of consistent guidelines and procedures into the proposal would lead to the academic enhancement of faculty-led programs. By recommending the use of standardized content early in the process while faculty are designing the courses, faculty could decide how to utilize the content and make use of additional resources related to student development and learning abroad. This method provides a partnership between study abroad professionals and faculty, where each one contributes their expertise towards educationally enriched faculty-led courses.
Keywords: Study Abroad; Faculty-Led Programs; Student Development; Proposal; Academic Enhancement; Contact Hours; Experiential Learning
Cupcakes con Conciencia - Empowering Vulnerable Women
No full textCupcakes con Conciencia “Cupcakes with a Conscience” is a social venture working to transform the lives of women victims of domestic violence through employment, training, and an overall focus on wellness in the city of Madrid, Spain. The bakery will offer high quality cupcakes as well as savory pastries and snacks that are made completely from scratch, in-house. We will also sell specialty coffee and tea, as well as traditional café con leche (coffee with milk) in order to appeal to those customers looking for their daily “go-to” coffee as well as those looking for something special.
In addition to bakery products, we will act as a showroom selling artisan goods created by women who have been subjected to domestic violence. The artwork will decorate the walls, shelves, windows, and tabletops throughout the restaurant and will rotate as items sell. The profits from the sales of individual pieces of artwork will go directly back to the women who created them.
The bakery strives to train disenfranchised women in different aspects of employment and life skills; the idea being that the women, given the right tools, will increase their self-confidence and employability in order to become independent. Training will take place formally, through employment and classroom time, as well as informally, through wellness sessions and workshops. Each woman will be trained in areas such as basic accounting and bookkeeping, marketing and promotion, baking, sales, and more. Women will also be encouraged to participate in workshops around baking and decorating pastries, painting, pottery, photography, and jewelry making. Finally, English classes focused on conversation and business terminology will be offered to women at no cost
Implementation of a Participatory Approach to Monitoring and Evaluation: Literature Review & Case Study Application
Get PDFA literature review is presented drawing from a variety of experts and practitioners who discuss their knowledge and experience with participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E). The findings suggest that the broader participation of stakeholders further enhances the quality and credibility of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Collaboration and engagement between implementors and beneficiaries enhances the sustainability of program outcomes after the program’s involvement ends. Recommendations are made about how participation could be incorporated into the implementation of an M&E system for Women Thrive Worldwide. Additional resources to facilitate the development of a PM&E system are offered.
Keywords: participation, participatory monitoring and evaluation, monitoring and evaluation, organizational strengthening, institutional learning, community-based monitoring and evaluation, results-based monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, grassroots wome
From Laws to Last Names: Examining Popular Opinions of Adoption in Morocco
Get PDFAs international adoption is becoming a much more common reality for many orphans and abandoned children worldwide, it is an important time to consider the implications of attitudes regarding adoption in Morocco—an Islamic state which defines adoption in a very specific but different way from the Western world. Despite the abundance of literature analyzing the historical and legal aspects of adoption in Morocco, there is a notable absence of research that examines the opinions of Moroccans removed from the adoption process on the institution itself. This study seeks to highlight potential trends in attitudes regarding adoption by examining the views of university students in Rabat, Morocco. Through the distribution and collection of 332 written surveys to students at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, supplemented with the results from a small focus group of five English language students, we are now able to begin to draw conclusions on issues specific to adoption in Morocco such as openness to adoption, gender preference, and the role of Islam and identity on the practice of kafala. The relatively young population may also give insight on the direction of developments in adoption in the future
Magnetic Island marine park zones: Effects of fishing restrictions on predatory reef fish populations
Get PDFOver the past several decades industrialized fishing practices have decimated fish stocks worldwide. Top-down trophic cascades have occurred within many marine ecosystems as top predators are removed. Numerous regions world wide are being designated as marine park “no-take” zones in order to aid in the recovery of these species and with the hope that surplus population will spillover into unprotected zones..
This study aimed to determine if there were significant differences in abundances of three major families of predatory reef fish (Serranidae, Lutjanidae, and Lethrinidae) between fringing reefs located in four bays of various zones around Magnetic Island, QLD. Data were collected by snorkeling over two 50m transects (width determined by turbidity) four times at each bay from April 19, 2015 to April 30, 2015 and recording any fish observed from the aforementioned families.
One-way analyses of variance and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference test determined that significant differences only occurred between Geoffrey Bay, a no-take zone, and Nelly Bay, a take zone that allows all fishing except trawling. Geoffrey Bay had significantly higher abundances of Lutjanids (F = 3.57; df = 3, 28; p = 0.026453) and fish overall (F = 3.52; df = 3, 28; p = 0.027817) when data for Lutjanus carponotatus was removed. A marginally significant difference was also found for populations of L. carponotatus alone (F = 2.56; df = 3, 28; p = 0.075029). While not significant, there were also definite trends in the no-take zones having the highest abundances while Nelly Bay always had the lowest or was tied for the lowest. Further studies are needed that improve upon this design, though, through timed swims looking at temporal variations in fish stocks between zones to determine if there is a more significant marine park zone effect
From MDGs to SDGs: Women and Girls\u27 Voices On The Global Development Agenda
No full textIn September 2015, the United Nations (UN) and its member states concluded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and officially adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also known as the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The conclusion of the MDGs presented an opportunity to reflect on the progress made thus far, noting the gaps and lessons learned in preparation for the new development agenda.
This research focuses on the evaluations of the MDGs made by women and girls organizations and individual women’s rights advocates in relation to the women’s rights agenda. In an effort to add a collective understanding of these issues, the research also presents a review of the MDGs made by different stakeholders including governments, international nongovernmental organizations and scholars on the MDGs. With the Post 2015 Development Agenda building on the legacy of the MDGs, the research also explores the perspectives of the women and girls\u27 organizations regarding the SDGs and highlights some of the differences between the MDGs and the SDGs.
The research findings indicate that the MDGs played a crucial role in putting such development issues as gender equality and the empowerment of women on the global agenda. However, there has been limited success in the realization of gains for women and girls as a result of a number of challenges including the limited participation and representation of women in decision making, gender inequality, the limited use of the human rights based approach to development, structural inequalities and limited funding for women rights organizations and programs
An Analysis of Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Ecotourism in the VO.I.M.MA Community Managed Forest, Andasibe, Madagascar
Get PDFThe concept of eco-tourism as a culturally sensitive, ecologically beneficial alternative to traditional vacations is a fairly new idea. While on the surface it seems positive for everyone involved, there are complexities in the relationships between all parties. This study explores the ties between the community forest, the tourists, and biodiversity (specifically endemic lemur populations) in the VO.I.M.MA Community Managed Forest. This study found that the community forest model is sustainable, based on the criteria of protecting biodiversity and satisfying customers. To truly promote a sustainable business model in the future (ecologically as well as economically), the center could improve publicity and education opportunities for local families as well as tourists
Nutrition and Education in an Urbanizing Nation
Get PDFChild malnutrition is a growing public health issue in Nepal, particularly in urban areas. Not eating enough, or not eating enough of healthy foods, can have life-long implications on development and cognitive ability. Because of its relevance to development within the country, many donor organizations and non-governmental organizations are working to promote child nutrition education programs. The purpose of this research is to investigate the implementation and structure of urban child nutrition educational programs involving treatment and prevention in Kathmandu, Nepal. Through qualitative interviews and field observations with three primary organizations, this research analyzes the patterns and disconnects between various efforts being made to design and implement educational curriculums
Where the Plains and Hills Collide: Understanding Nepal’s Political Tension Through Tharus in Chitwan
Get PDFNepal\u27s new constitution was received with both jubilation and violence. Protests swept across the plains of Terai leading to a blockade with India and a deadly fuel crisis. One’s opinions on the situation depend heavily on one’s own ethnicity, caste, and regional location. This research takes a deeper look into one ethnic minority, Tharu, to better understand Nepal’s complex political situation. Through many conversations in Chitwan, with both high and low castes, one can piece together a most intriguing analysis of Nepal’s politics. The political divide in the nation is severe and shows no willingness of compromise. The constant struggle between nationalism and ethnic identity may have reached its pinnacle in Nepal. The future of Nepal awaits the answer