Matching Items (4)
Description
With higher than normal levels of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and sexually transmitted diseases within the Deaf community, it is clear that the current level of medical care is failing. This can stem from many different issues, from the mistrust of doctors to the fact that scientific education in the Deaf community is introduced at a later time in comparison to the hearing population. Similarly, there is a distinct lack of Deaf and hard of hearing medical staff. All of this culminates in the fact that the system needs to change. The addition of more Deaf staff in the medical environment, more staff interpreters, and doctors that have experience with the Deaf community engenders the metamorphosis of this group from unhealthy to healthy. Extra exposure for doctors during clinical rotations to deaf patients as well as training in Deaf Culture will further increase the comfort level of Deaf community members utilizing health services. As a result, the overall state of medical care for the Deaf population will improve with these modifications to the current system.
ContributorsBrar, Serbnoor Singh (Author) / Quinn, Paul (Thesis director) / Howard, Pamela (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This project looks at ways in which the individual comes into contact with history. By looking at the Katyń Massacre, we can see how violence and history can be viewed from aesthetic perspectives. This allows us to take part in the conversations concerned with genocide in other ways than from ethical and sympathetic perspectives. By examining the Katyń through an aesthetic lens, the individual can approach violence in new and unique ways. This research highlights for us a new way of approaching history and violence while simultaneously offering a way for the individual to have a new voice in history. The poetry that follows the research offers a way for us to aestheticize violence and use language to approach it in a way that is simultaneously cruel and beautiful.
ContributorsTucker, Robert Charles Austin (Author) / Sarah, Ball (Thesis director) / Castle, Gregory (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices that create hearing capabilities in those with inner ear damage that results in total or partial hearing loss. The decision to get a cochlear implant can be difficult and controversial. Cochlear implants have many physical and social impacts on cochlear implant users. The aim of this study was to evaluate how patient narratives written by people with cochlear implants (or their caregivers) express issues of quality of life and personhood related to the use of this medical device. The methodology used to answer this question was a content analysis of patient narratives. The content analysis was done using grounded theory and the constant comparative method. Two sensitizing concepts, quality of life and personhood, were used and became the large umbrella themes found in the narratives. Under the major theme of quality of life, the sub-themes that emerged were improved hearing, improved communication skills, and assimilation into the hearing world. Under the major theme of personhood, the sub-themes that emerged were confidence, self-image, and technology and the body. Another major theme, importance of education, also emerged. In general, cochlear implant users and their caregivers expressed in their narratives that cochlear implants have positive effects on the quality of life of cochlear implant users. This is because almost all of the narrative writers reported improved hearing, improved communication skills, and better assimilation into the hearing world. In addition, it was found that cochlear implants do not have a significant affect on the actual personal identity of cochlear implant users, though they do make them more confident. The majority of cochlear implant users expressed that they view the cochlear implant device as an assistive tool they use as opposed to a part of themselves. Lastly, there is a need for more awareness of or access to education and therapy for cochlear implant users.
ContributorsResnick, Jessica Helen (Author) / Helms Tillery, Stephen (Thesis director) / Robert, Jason (Committee member) / Piemonte, Nicole (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
As the economy becomes more technologically driven the need for people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields also increases. STEM fields have been overrun with white males. Congress has been trying to promote minority groups in these fields for thirty years with little success. One of the largest underrepresented groups is individuals with disabilities. This thesis project focuses on STEM outreach for a particular group of disabled, the deaf and hard of hearing. There is a long history of deaf and hard of hearing children being poorly educated due to actions by the hearing community. Deaf and hard of hearing children are isolated not only from other deaf individuals but from their natural language, sign language. The goal of this project is to promote better educational practices and opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children that also encourage an interest in STEM fields and education. This goal is met through the creation of the website deafstem.com. The website promotes the ideals set by the Bill of Rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children established in part by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). These include the ideals that a deaf or hard of hearing child has the same ability and capacity for language as any other child and that language pertains to both English and American Sign Language (ASL), that the families of these children play a significant role in their success, and that these children should have access and exposure to deaf and hard of hearing adults. The website build a bridge between deaf children, their hearing family, and the deaf community while promoting STEM fields by providing ASL dictionaries for both STEM and everyday vocabulary, biographies of influential deaf adults in STEM fields, and extracurricular activities for deaf and hard of hearing children.
ContributorsAlbi, Shannon Melissa (Author) / Howard, Pamela (Thesis director) / Barnett, Juliet (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05