Interventions for adults with deafblindness - an integrative review

PURPOSE

To compile the current research on interventions for rehabilitation aimed at adults (aged 18-65 years) with deafblindness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in eight databases. An additional manual search was also carried out. A total of 7049 unique references were initially identified, and after screening, 28 original scientific articles were included. The results from these articles were categorized based on limiting consequences of deafblindness: communication, orientation and to move around freely and safely and access to information, as well as to psychological adaptation to deafblindness.

RESULTS

Fourteen of the included articles had their main focus on access to communication, ten on orientation and the ability to move around feely and safely, three on the opportunity to gain access to information, and one related to psychological adaptation to deafblindness. Most articles focused on technical devices, of which one-third were single case studies.

CONCLUSION

There is a limited number of evaluated interventions for people with deafblindness. Most of the existing studies involved one to five participants with deafblindness, and only few studies involved a larger number of participants. More research with a larger number of participants are needed, which could be facilitated by international cooperation between practitioners and researchers.

Safe access to road crossings and the issue of quiet vehicles in relation to pedestrians with a vision impairment: A literature review

This New Zealand study explored the research literature about quiet motor vehicles, like electric and hybrid cars, and the safety of pedestrians with vision impairment when making road-crossing decisions through an integrative literature review. A search of four research databases, two public library databases, and the New Zealand and the United States’ Departments of Transport online resources, as well as three relevant journals was conducted using key words. A rapid critical appraisal tool was used to assess whether the 38 found articles were valid and important, provided any answers to the research questions, and met the study’s inclusion criteria. A thematic analysis of 25 studies, which were included in this study, was completed to answer the following research questions: (1) What does the current literature say, as a whole, about the potential effects of ‘quiet vehicles’ on road-crossing procedures for pedestrians with a vision impairment? and (2) what remedies may exist to alleviate these effects, including possible changes to orientation and mobility (O&M) practice? Five emerging themes were found in the research: (1) crossing the road as a pedestrian with a vision impairment with quiet cars; (2) O&M instruction needs to change; (3) environmental access to road crossings; (4) developing and adapting technology and car sounds; and (5) rights of people with a vision impairment, policy, and legislation. The literature also confirmed that road crossings, when quiet vehicles are present, are dangerous for pedestrians with a vision impairment because such pedestrians rely on vehicular sounds for safe crossings. However, the review concluded that further research is needed in order to answer the research questions in this study. There were no studies about road-crossing procedures and quiet cars, and little research about possible remedies and O&M practice.

Sensory impairment reduces money sharing in the Dictator Game regardless of the recipient's sensory status

Altruism varies as a function of minimal social cues. Sensory impaired individuals elicit more altruistic behaviors, at the same time being more prone to be exploited. We tested whether information about recipient’s sensory impairment (blindness or deafness or no impairment) would increase of the amount of money given to the anonymous partner in the Dictator Game (DG). We manipulated information about sensory status of a fictional recipient by indicating their sensory impairment (the same as the participant) or not. Sample of DG players included blind (n = 99) and deaf (n = 74) individuals and their fully functional counterparts (n = 197). Age, socioeconomic status (SES), and education were controlled. We observed higher offers in the sighted and hearing subjects as compared to sensory impaired subjects, regardless of information about the recipient’s sensory status.