Purpose: In healthy speakers, the more frequent and probable a word is in its context, the shorter the word tends to be. This study investigated whether these probabilistic effects were similarly sized for speakers with dysarthria of different severities. Method: Fifty-six speakers of New Zealand English (42 speakers with dysarthria and 14 healthy…

Virtual reality (VR) offers potential for teaching and learning, though there seems to be no prior use of VR for teaching library and information science. This paper reports on a project that used VR for teaching library design, specifically for designing a library for customers with physical impairments. A survey and interviews were used to…

Background: Swallowing difficulties are common and complex in children with physical, behavioural, and cognitive needs. This study (i) describes mealtime management and (ii) identifies barriers and facilitators to implementation of a guideline for school-aged children with feeding difficulties in one specialist school. Method: Three data sets were…

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a problem for many adults with intellectual disability. Most previous studies have collected falls data retrospectively, using organisational incident reports. We developed tools to specifically collect fall-related data and potential fall risk data. This paper reports on the development of these…

Aim: Achondroplasia is characterized by delays in the development of communication and motor skills. While previously reported developmental profiles exist across gross motor, fine motor, feeding, and communication skills, there has been no prospective study of development across multiple areas simultaneously. Method: This Australasian…

In 2007, a 4-year longitudinal study of all people admitted to the two New Zealand spinal units commenced. It aims to (a) explore interrelationship(s) of body, self, and society for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and (b) investigate how entitlement to rehabilitation and compensation through New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation…

Since 1989, teacher aides have become a familiar part of our classrooms as they support students with special educational needs. International and New Zealand research shows that despite many teacher aide practices that effectively support student learning in inclusive settings, there are some practices that work against the inclusion of some…

This meta-synthesis of empirical and nonempirical literature analyzed 24 journal articles and book chapters that addressed the intersection of disability, [homo]sexuality, and gender identity/expression in P-12 schools, colleges and universities, supported living programs, and other educational and social contexts in Australia, Belgium, Canada,…

In schools today inclusion involves a challenge to attitudes and expectations within educational communities. "The New Zealand Disability Strategy" (Minister for Disability Issues, 2001), is a guide for government action to promote a more inclusive society. Out of its 15 Objectives, Objective 1 encourages and educates the community and…

As Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist in Tai Tokerau, we have worked in collaboration with CCS Northland over the last two years to facilitate two day workshops for students attending mainstream schools that have moderate to severe physical disabilities. We chose venues that were community based so that the students could be out of their…

This report summarizes the proceedings of a September 1975 conference of Commonwealth educators, who deliberated on the following issues involving educational materials: (1) variety and potential uses; (2) design and production; (3) use in teaching and learning situations; (4) programs for training and supervision for efficient use; and (5)…

Describes a New Zealand course which provides adult disabled students with information on university structure, knowledge and practice in academic skills, exposure to different subjects taught in the Faculty of Arts, and an insight into standards expected of university students. (CT)

Reviews services available for physically and intellectually handicapped New Zealand children and discusses issues related to providing preschool education for such children. (SB)

This unique resource provides a comprehensive review of current knowledge about phonological awareness, together with practical guidance for helping preschoolers to adolescents acquire needed skills. Up-to-date findings are synthesized on the development of phonological awareness; its role in literacy learning; and how it can be enhanced in…

This New Zealand study examined attitudes toward persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) via a survey of 35 people with SCI, 27 SCI rehabilitation workers, 16 outpatient hospital rehabilitation workers, and 37 people from the general population. Results were analyzed in terms of age, ethnic identity, gender, professional training, and amount of…