The representation of the people with disabilities in the internet publishing: North Cyprus example

The representation of people with disabilities in the media is an issue that is not much emphasized. This article studies the representation of people with disabilities in the internet publications, especially in Northern Cyprus. This research, tries to emphasize the way media discuss the issue of disabled people alongside to show how disabled people be presented to the public as a meta in the consumption society and to discuss the discrimination against disabled people. The research focuses on the presentation of the disability as unprotected individuals and the work carried out by the society to sympathize with the individual and in particular on the decoding of the child with disabilities while doing these activities. Media organizations have a widespread belief in their news that they are discriminatory in that they impose disabilities as ‘needy’ individuals. This study discusses how and where barriers are the layout win if on the internet.

     

Tolerance,equality and access in all levels of education quality management

Forming quality is the most important elements of higher education in the world. Even in countries where systems in higher education are fully succeed in performance, quality is under ongoing observation. Barrier-free campuses are among the most crucial criteria in quality development and evaluation. While such campuses are strictly considered in American and European higher education, it has been observed that awareness of this issue has become a focus point in Turkey and necessary measures are taken. It is a fact that the disabled learners need to get benefit from educational services less than others. All individuals in a community have equal rights. Therefore, higher education has great responsibilities for “raising awareness”, “adapting standards by the community”, “understanding”, and “meeting the needs” of the disabled learners. The disability in our country are facing several problems such as education, employment, transportation and communication. Parallel to developing technology, there are solutions to such problems. Universities are institutions where scientist, educationalists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, politicians etc. are educated to shape the future of a country. Young people learn at universities, broaden their horizon, produce new ideas, and shape their future. At this stage, undoubtedly, universities are not expected to ignore the learners with disabilities. They, too, have the right, as other individuals, to receive education in their interest areas and contribute to production, benefit from all the facilities provided by the university and be active members of the society.

     

How Do Social Networks Influence the Employment Prospects of People with Disabilities?

We explore the role of social networks used by people with disabilities for finding employment. In addition, we outline obstacles to network building for those with a disability. We contend that this group is often constrained and they underutilize their networks during job searches. Both factors are likely to result in negative employment outcomes and contribute to the employment gap between those with and without a disability. We outline how key network characteristics such as homophily, tie strength, and centrality influence job search outcomes for those with a disability differently than for those without a disability. Furthermore, we propose that although individuals with disabilities develop and rely upon networks that are comprised of close bonds with similar individuals that are either unemployed or underemployed in lower status positions, optimal networks for employment purposes should consist of diverse acquaintances that occupy central positions and higher status jobs within organizations. Finally, we outline propositions to guide future research on this neglected topic and also suggest practical implications.     

The historical background of tolerance education for blind learners in Cyprus

Tolerance, in its broadest sense, can be understood as accepting all the differences in the society. Some people in society have limitations on certain parts of their bodies or their organs, which can lead to impairment on their physical functioning. Some of these people in society who have disabilities are those who have sight impairments. In order for blind people to be able to function in society in the same manner as other individuals it is possible that they can receive a private education in a similar manner to other people with disabilities. In Cyprus, the first school for the sight impaired was established under the British administration. The institution was opened in Nicosia in 1929 under the initiative of the wife of the Governor Ronald Storss as the St. Barnabas School for Blind Children, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots had the opportunity to be educated together. By the end of 1963, the Turkish Cypriot sight impaired children from various regions of the island were educated at St. Barnabas School for the Blind. At the school, English, Greek and Turkish teachers worked together. The main aim of the school was to educate the blind children and reintegrate them into the society. In the present study, information obtained from Blue Book and Cyprus Gazette has been supported by the information compiled from domestic and foreign publications as well as verbal sources. Consequently, it is understood that children in society who became blind for various reasons were educated at the St Barnabas School for Blind Children.

     

Reflections from Employers on the Disabled Workforce: Focus Groups with Healthcare,Hospitality and Retail Administrators

Historically, employment rates for people with disabilities have been low. Despite legislation that prohibits the discrimination of this group in work settings, employers are reluctant to hire people with disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of employers with workers with disabilities. Three focus groups were conducted with 21 administrators from three business sectors (i.e., healthcare, hospitality, and retail). Content analysis indicated five primary themes: (1) importance of disability employment agencies and disability advocates; (2) persistence of manager bias; (3) lack of promotion opportunities; (4) costs associated with having workers with disabilities; and (5) benefits associated with having workers with disabilities. Implications include the need for intervention studies that address the challenges experienced by individuals with disabilities, particularly during hiring and promoting phases of employment, and educational efforts to inform administrators and managers of the few costs and numerous benefits associated with having workers with disabilities.     

Automation and Job Polarization: On the Decline of Middling Occupations in Europe

Using data from 10 Western European countries, I provide evidence that the fall in prices of information technologies (IT) is associated with a lower share of employment in middle‐wage occupations and a higher share of employment in high wage occupations in industries which depend more on IT relative to industries which depend less. Similar results hold within gender and age groups, with notable differences in these groups. For instance, the share of employment in high wage occupations among males has increased less than among females with the fall in IT prices.     

Addressing the Underemployment of Persons with Disabilities: Recommendations for Expanding Organizational Social Responsibility

The underemployment of persons with disabilities continues to be a societal problem; many persons with disabilities have difficulty securing and maintaining employment. This difficulty contributes to the relatively higher rates of poverty among persons with disabilities as well as their underutilization as productive members of society. This research examines factors that contribute to this underemployment problem. Based on this examination, we develop questions organizations must consider for addressing the problem. These questions are based on creating working relationships for persons with disabilities at an individual level that may be an extension of an organization’s corporate social responsibility program. Individuals with disabilities have a right to obtain and maintain successful employment opportunities; this research outlines the factors at play and provides suggestions for employers to consider in addressing this social problem.     

Mobile device based smart medication reminder for older people with disabilities

With the latest research in the fields of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences, an increasing number of drugs are being invented to cure many fatal diseases and this has enabled people to live healthier and longer. Consequently, the rate of medication usage is increasing, particularly among the elderly. It is important that the medication prescribed by doctors is taken at the correct times of the day and in the correct dosages. This seems to be a significant problem encountered by older people with disabilities. As a result of forgetfulness or other problems, many older patients either do not take the correct medicines or the correct dosage at the appropriate times and this reduces the benefits of treatments and increases both healthcare costs and the mortality rates. In order to find a solution to this problem, a mobile phone and Cloud-based smart application has been developed to improve patient adherence, particularly for older people with disabilities. The novelty of the developed application is the use of a Cloud service to provide two-way communication in the form of feedback between the older patients with disabilities and the doctors so that the medication adherence of the patients can be monitored. Mobile application developers should find the developed mobile phone based medication reminder application for older people with disabilities a useful example application, and it should help them in developing other mobile applications for older people with disabilities.

     

The importance of employer contacts: Evidence based on selection on observables and internal replication

I estimate effects of the labor market training program “Swit” on employment using both register and survey data. Swit was initiated in an attempt to increase the supply of qualified personnel in the IT sector. Based on the register data I find a large positive effect from the Swit on employment as compared to conventional programs directed towards IT. By also using survey information I conclude that the effect was due to increased employer contacts. The result is of interest because of the relatively large effect especially for individuals with traditionally weak positions on the labor market. Furthermore, I methodologically demonstrate how information about the contents of the programs may corroborate findings based on conditional independence assumptions.     

A novel method as a diagnostic tool for the detection of influential observations in the Cox proportional hazards model

It is important that the process of studying and modelling the prognosis of disability should be conducted using time-to-event data, as the dynamic nature of disability could cause intervention on the modifiable (prognostic) factors, thus changing the course to a more favourable outcome. In disability research, the Cox PH model is frequently used to identify prognostic factors for the life expectancy of people with disabilities and to evaluate the treatment effects on the time to event. Accurate detection of influential observations is an important factor when fitting the Cox PH model, as influential observations in the Cox PH model can cause model misspecification, inaccurately determined factors, missed valuable biological information and/or violation of the proportional hazard assumption. In this paper, a novel multiple case detection method for influential observations is recommended in the Cox model. The aim of the paper is to inform clinicians and researchers who use the Cox PH model for describing the survival time as a function of multiple prognostic factors, regarding the importance of the detection of influential observations that can lead to misleading conclusions if they are present in the data set. The efficiency of the proposed method is presented through the real dataset. Additionally, in the specific case of North Cyprus, the aim is emphasize the importance of survival modelling studies that determine the prognostic factors affecting the lives of people with disabilities, to improve life quality and to develop a plan for healthier and higher quality life styles programmes for people with disabilities. As a first step, it is recommended that a system of database records of disabilities should be established and maintained by the government to raise public awareness.

     

Employment of disabled people in the private sector. An analysis at the level of Italian Provinces according to article 13 of law 68/1999

Law 68 of March 12, 1999, whose aim is to regulate and promote the employment of disabled people, has contributed significantly to the employment of persons with disabilities, and consequently to their social inclusion. In particular, article 13 of this law offers exemption from national insurance contributions to private institutions that employ disabled people. In this paper we propose a two-step analysis to assess the effectiveness of this law at the level of Italian Provinces for the year 2005. In the first phase, we verify by means of data envelopment analysis which Provinces are ranked among the most efficient ones in the application of article 13 of law 68/99. Then, through the use of cluster analysis, we examine differences among Provinces in terms of the factors that determine their different efficiency in the employment of disabled people. The results show that the employment of disabled persons is significantly affected by three groups of factors, i.e. the input endowment of the factors which affect the employment of disabled people, the Province ability to coordinate actions geared to achieving the employment of persons with disabilities, and the promotion of policy actions aimed at supporting the social inclusion of disabled people.     

对大学生核心就业竞争力的理解和探索

当前大学生就业问题已经引起了全社会的广泛关注,中共中央政治局召开专门会议研究当前的经济工作和大学生就业问题,国务院也下发了关于促进大学就业的相关通知,在温总理的政府工作报告中也多次提及当前大学生就业问题的重要性,同时也有多为代表的提案是关于大学生的就业问题。由此可见解决好大学生就业问题是我党实践科学发展观的具体体现,是我国实现可持续发展的重要战略举措;解决好大学毕业生就业问题不仅是一项涉及千家万户人民群众根本利益的民心工程,而且能有效的促进我国高等教育事业的不断发展,具有现实的政治意义和深远的历史意义,本文就是在基于近六年从事一线大学生就业工作中总结的经验,经过系统的梳理整理出来的旨在寻求切实解决大学生就业瓶颈问题,最终形成大学生核心就业竞争力都具体体现。     

Capabilities exchange through business interaction: An empirical investigation of a client–IT supplier relationship

This article focuses on the opportunities for capabilities exchange within a specific business-to-business context: the relationship between a client and an information technology (IT) supplier. Research on the features of this type of relationship, although fairly extensive, has focused on IT implementation issues, relationship between IT resources, organisation performance and competitive advantage, IT outsourcing relationships and definition of IT capabilities. However, our understanding of the context where IT capabilities are exchanged within consultancy projects and how this exchange emerges is rather limited. The paper aims to bridge this gap by adopting the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) group's interaction approach as a tool for conducting an in-depth investigation of a case study to analyse the context, the parties and the interactions through which IT capabilities are exchanged. The research reveals that interpersonal relationships between users and consultants within consultancy projects are crucial to establish a long-lasting and stable relationship. As a result, during consultancy projects IT-related resources, in the form of IT physical infrastructures, human IT resources and IT intangible resources are exchanged and combined to create or enhance IT capabilities. Furthermore, we also claim that the success of such an exchange depends very much on the degree of social and interpersonal exchange.     

Physical accessibility as a social indicator

A discussion is presented of the ways in which accessibility to employment and urban services constitute an important measure of the quality of urban living, and how accessibility might, therefore, be included as an important component of a “social report” for a city or region. A conceptual framework is introduced for measuring accessibility in terms of the ease with which citizens may reach a variety of opportunities for employment and services. This framework is interpreted as an approach to evaluating transportation and regional plans which differs from approaches based upon travel volumes and travel times which are currently employed in urban transportation planning and evaluation. The use of the proposed measures of accessibility is illustrated with data on accessibility to employment and health care facilities in Los Angeles, and these data are interpreted to illustrate differences in accessibility as a function of spatial location of residence, and socio-economic status.     

大学生就业观存在问题研究——以云南财经大学为例

在我国构建社会主义和谐社会的历程中,大学生的就业问题实际上是非常严峻的关乎民生的重要问题,而解决现今社会现实的就业问题的核心就在于改变精英意识的就业观念。大学生的就业观跟不上时代发展的步伐,不能与社会经济发展相适应,是大学生就业难的主要原因之一,在构建和谐社会的背景下,本文就大学生就业观问题进行研究,分析当代大学生就业观的现状,找出大学生就业观存在的问题,并探究其形成原因,进而提出解决对策。     

Perspectives on Disability Disclosure: The Importance of Employer Practices and Workplace Climate

Disclosing a disability to a potential or current employer is a very personal decision, with potentially far-reaching consequences for both the employer and employee. Disability disclosure can assure that employees receive appropriate workplace accommodations, and can help employers respond more effectively to diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at increasing the hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. However, disclosure may also result in negative employment consequences for employees, such as lowered supervisor expectations, isolation from co-workers, and increased likelihood of termination. Given demographic trends related to disability in the labor force and recent initiatives to increase the employment of individuals with disabilities, it is increasingly important that employers create an environment that encourages disclosure and reduces the likelihood of negative consequences for employees and applicants who disclose their disabilities. This paper presents the findings of a survey of individuals with disabilities focused on identifying and better understanding the factors that influence the disclosure decision. Results highlight the barriers and facilitators that influence individuals’ decision to disclose and the important role that employers, managers, and workplace climate play in the decision. Implications for employer policy and practice are also discussed.     

HR and IT capabilities and complementarities in knowledge-intensive services

The main premise of this article is that human resources (HR) and information technologies (IT) are central rather than support functions in knowledge-intensive services. By building management capabilities in both HR and IT, knowledge-intensive services can transform their business processes that, in turn, enable them to provide exemplary services to the customers. Our arguments are grounded in the three related theoretical frameworks of the resource-based view, organizational capabilities, and the theory of complementarities. We suggest that the research and practice in HR and IT fields may have to focus on HR and IT capabilities rather than HR practices or IT investments as the sources of sustainable competitive advantage since capabilities better fit the definition of a ‘resource’ than HR practices or IT investments. Further, organizational capabilities in both HR and IT may enable knowledge-intensive services to transcend the inherent tradeoff between cost and responsiveness. We also discuss the role of HR and IT in knowledge management.     

Workers with Disabilities: Exploring the Hiring Intentions of Nonprofit and For-profit Employers

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a conceptual framework, focus groups were held with nonprofit and for-profit employers in order to examine behavioral intentions to hire workers with disabilities. Content analysis revealed the following main themes: (1) For-profit hiring strategies were driven by a mission to sell a product or service; (2) Nonprofit hiring strategies were driven by a mission to serve the community; (3) Forprofit hiring and nonprofit hiring were impacted by the economy; (4) Although driven to have diverse workforces, the number of workers with disabilities was largely unknown; and (5) Employer attitudes mattered and impacted job opportunities for people with disabilities. Implications of this qualitative study highlight the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the role that nonprofit managers and leaders may play in improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.     

Development of a voice recognition based system to help physically disabled people use the facebook

Social network sites (SNSs) have become so popular that the number of people joining and actively participating on such sites is increasing on a daily basis. Although there are several SNSs, Facebook is currently the most popular and most commonly used. SNSs have primarily been developed with able-bodied people in mind and as a result of this, people with disabilities find it difficult to join and participate on these sites. Furthermore, this topic has received little attention by researchers around the world. Facebook pages usually consist of text, graphics, and sound where the users navigate through the pages using a mouse. As a step towards addressing this need and finding a possible elegant solution, the authors have developed a voice-activated PC-based system (called NEU-FACE) in the form of an interface to Facebook. With the aid of this system, a person with a physical disability can join and participate in Facebook by giving voice commands to manage the typical Facebook activities.

     

论大学毕业生就业难原因分析及对策研究

大学生就业是重要的民生工作,关系到社会的稳定和千家万户的幸福。大学毕业生就业越来越难的形势,已引起了全社会普遍关注。高校毕业生就业难原因是多方面的,如何破解就业难、难就业问题进行了研究,提出的对策为:积极引导并实现大学生转变就业观念,到国家和社会需要的岗位大显身手;同时也要进一步推进教育改革,适应社会形势的变化发展,调整人才培养模式;加快产业经济结构的更新换代,创造新的就业岗位,全力推进就业;加强创业教育,为毕业生自主创业提供相关政策及资金支持。