Types and factors affecting and impact of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers: a systematic review of quantitative studies.

PURPOSE: Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience multiple barriers and discrimination in education, healthcare, and social settings, which influence their well-being, especially the transition to adulthood. This review aims to explore the types, factors affecting and impact of ableism on Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and a narrative synthesis whereby we searched the literature from six international databases, including Healthstar, Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included in the review, and three themes were identified that related to ableism: (1) types and rates of ableism (i.e., stigma, bullying and victimization, and discrimination and inequalities); (2) factors affecting ableism (i.e. sociodemographic factors, familial factors, and societal factors); and (3) impacts of ableism (i.e. mental health, family impacts, and societal impacts). CONCLUSIONS: Our review highlights that ableism has various types and can be influenced by multiple factors, influencing social and health outcomes of Asian families with children and youth with disabilities. This review also emphasizes the importance of increasing the public's awareness regarding disabilities to reduce ableism among Asian families with children with disabilities.

Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience bullying and victimization, therefore it is necessary to develop educational materials to raise awareness of disabilities.Healthcare providers should consider developing more educational programs for caregivers to reduce self-stigma and affiliate stigma and promote mental health.  Healthcare service providers should consider creating and implementing more inclusive programs to reduce health disparities and the influence of socio-demographic factors.

Accessible independent housing for people with disabilities: A scoping review of promising practices, policies and interventions.

BACKGROUND: Accessible housing is imperative to enabling independent living for many people with disabilities; yet, research consistently shows how people with disabilities often lack appropriate accessible housing and are more likely to experience unaffordable, insecure, and/or poor quality housing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand promising practices, policies and interventions regarding accessible independent housing for people with disabilities. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review that involved searching seven international literature databases that identified 4831 studies, 60 of which met our inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The reviewed studies involved 18 countries over a 20-year period. Our review highlighted the following key trends: (1) removing barriers to obtaining accessible housing (e.g., advocacy, builders enhancing housing supply, subsidies and financial incentives); (2) policies influencing accessible housing; (3) interventions to enhance accessible housing (i.e., home modifications, smart homes, mobile applications and other experimental devices); and (4) the impact of accessible independent housing on health and wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the importance of accessible housing for people with disabilities and the urgent need to advance accessible housing options.

More than just double discrimination: a scoping review of the experiences and impact of ableism and racism in employment.

PURPOSE: Research has shed light on the employment barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and by racialized people. The challenges faced by people belonging to both marginalized groups are less well-understood. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine existing research on labour market and workplace experiences of racialized people with disabilities, and to identify how ableism and racism intersect to shape employment experiences and outcomes. METHODS: Seven international databases were searched, covering the period from 2000 to April 2022. Four reviewers independently conducted the screening, and data extraction and analysis were performed on 44 articles that met our inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The findings highlighted rates of workplace ableism and racism (including discrimination allegations and perceived discrimination); types and forms of experiences arising from the intersection of ableism and racism (including unique individual stereotyping and systemic and institutional discrimination); and the role of other demographic variables. The intersection of ableism and racism impacted labour market outcomes, well-being in the workplace, and career/professional advancement. CONCLUSIONS: Our review highlights the need for greater in-depth research focusing explicitly on the intersection of ableism and racism (and of other forms of discrimination), to better understand and address the barriers that racialized people with disabilities face in employment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe experiences of racialized people with disabilities have been under explored, and clinicians and rehabilitation specialists should consider incorporating intersectionality into their practices to better understand and serve these populations.Ableism and racism do not operate in isolation, and clinicians and other professionals need to be aware that racialized people with disabilities may face unique challenges and barriers as a result.Service providers should aim to address gaps and inequities in services faced by racialized people with disabilities which may prevent them from finding and/or maintaining meaningful employment.

Exploring the experiences of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their families: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

PURPOSE: Asian children and youth with disabilities often experience multiple barriers, stigmas and discrimination within and outside their families; yet less is understood about their lived experiences. This systematic review explored the experiences of ableism among Asian children and youth with disabilities and their families. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies and a qualitative meta-synthesis. We searched six databases including Ovid Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Healthstar, Web of Science, and Scopus. RESULTS: Forty-two articles met our inclusion criteria involving 17 countries and regions over a 22-year period. The findings were synthesized into four themes: (1) individual- and family-level ableism (i.e., stigma, fears, concerns, stress and anxieties, physical abuse, bullying, reduced engagement in community activities); (2) institutional-level ableism (i.e., barriers to accessing and navigating supports, ableist attitudes among service providers, unavailable services); (3) societal-level ableism (i.e., cultural and religious stigma, social rejection, discrimination, environmental and policy barriers); and (4) coping strategies (i.e., self-care activities, supports from family, friends and people with similar conditions, religious beliefs). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the ableist experiences that Asian children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers often encounter and the strong need for further supports to address ableism using culturally responsive strategies.

Asian children and youth with disabilities encounter multiple forms of ableism at the individual, family and institutional levels.It is important for healthcare providers to customize resources that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the cultural and language backgrounds of the clients they serve.Clinicians and service providers should engage in culturally sensitive training and education to understand the barriers faced by the clients they serve.Clinicians and service providers should continue to advocate for marginalized and equity-deserving groups.

Barriers and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Accessible housing is a fundamental human right and yet many children and youth with disabilities live in inaccessible, insecure, unaffordable and poor quality housing. The aim of our study was to understand the barriers and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review involving seven international literature databases from 2000 to 2022 that identified 38 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The reviewed studies involved 10 countries over a 22-year period. Our review emphasized the following key trends: (1) barriers to obtaining accessible homes (i.e. common types of accessibility barriers, rates of inaccessible housing, factors affecting home accessibility), and negative impacts of inaccessible housing; and (2) rates and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing (i.e., common types of home modifications, enablers of home modifications) and positive impacts of accessible housing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the barriers and enablers of obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families and the critical need to support them in securing appropriate housing.

Evidence suggests that clinicians and community service providers should support youth with disabilities and their parents to make home modifications and secure accessible housing.Clinicians should consider advocating for accessible housing and help to remove barriers for children with disabilities and their families with particular attention to marginalized and equity-deserving groups.Clinicians and service providers should involve families in the process of making accessible home modifications and help them to connect with relevant housing stakeholders.

Varieties of 'new normal': Employment experiences among youth with and without disabilities during the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Working and volunteering in the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has looked different depending on the location, employment sector and nature of the job. Although researchers have begun exploring the impacts on adults, little is known about what the transition to a 'new normal' in the reopening stages has been like for youth, especially those with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To explore and compare the experiences and perspectives of youth with and without disabilities who were working, volunteering or seeking work during the re-opening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. METHODS: We used a qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews with 16 youth (seven with a disability, nine without), aged 15-29 (mean 22 years). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Mixed views on being onsite in the reopening stages; (2) Mixed views on remaining remote; (3) Hybrid model as the best of both worlds; (4) Mixed views on COVID-19 workplace safety in the reopening stages; and (5) Hopes, dreams and advice for the future. Apart from the first main theme, there were more similarities than differences between youth with and without disabilities. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that youth encountered various work and volunteer arrangements during the reopening stages of the pandemic, and the personal preferences for particular models depend largely on their employment sector. The areas of agreement among youth highlight some longer-term impacts of the pandemic shutdowns and point to the need for greater mental health and career supports.

Ableism among children and youth with acquired brain injury and their caregivers: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Children and youth with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience persistent discrimination and ableism. The purpose of this systematic review was to understand the experiences and impact of ableism among children and youth with ABI. METHOD: Six international databases were systematically searched for articles from 2002-2022. Studies were screened independently by four researchers who performed the data extraction. Study quality was appraised using the Standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research. RESULTS: Of the 2085 studies identified in the search, 15 met the inclusion criteria, which involved 1442 children and youth with brain injuries or caregivers representing them. Studies in the review showed the following key trends: (1) incidence of ableism among children and youth with ABI; (2) experiences of ableism at the individual and institutional levels, (3) impact of ableism (i.e., mental health, social relationships, quality of life) and (4) coping strategies (i.e., resources, supports). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal the alarming incidence of ableism among youth with ABI. Therefore, there is a critical need for more research to explore youth's lived experiences of ableism, especially from their perspectives along with the co-development of solutions to help enhance their social inclusion and well-being.

Ableism within health care professions: a systematic review of the experiences and impact of discrimination against health care providers with disabilities.

PURPOSE: People with disabilities experience concerning rates of ableism and are significantly under-represented within healthcare education and professions. Focusing on healthcare professions is important for enhancing the diversity and inclusion of equity-deserving groups within the workforce. The objective of this review was to explore the experiences and impact of workplace discrimination and ableism among healthcare providers and trainees with disabilities. METHODS: Systematic searches of seven databases from 2000 to January 2022 were conducted. Five reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria, extracted the data and rated the study quality. RESULTS: 48 studies met our inclusion criteria, representing 13,815 participants across six countries over a 21-year period. The findings highlighted rates and types of workplace ableism, which occurred at the institutional (i.e., inaccessible environments, physical barriers and unsupportive work environments) and individual level (i.e., negative attitudes, bullying, harassment). The impact of ableism on healthcare providers included difficulty disclosing due to fear of stigma, and effects on well-being and career development. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed a critical need for more research on the experiences of ableism amongst healthcare providers and the impact it has on their well-being. Further efforts should explore mechanisms for including and welcoming people with disabilities in healthcare professions.Implications for rehabilitationWorkplace ableism is prevalent in health care professions and could be discouraging people with disabilities from entering or completing health care education and training, leading to an under-representation of this equity-deserving group within health care.More efforts are needed to recruit, retain and support people with disabilities in the health care workforce.Health care providers who have a disability often experience workplace discrimination and inaccessible physical environments which can impact their health and well-being.Managers, senior leadership and health care organizations should advocate for improved social inclusion of employees with disabilities.

Workplace accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the impacts and implications for people with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread changes in the way people work. Some of these changes represent the same kinds of work modifications or adjustments that have often been requested as workplace accommodations, and which may improve labour market and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this scoping review was to examine the literature on workplace accommodations in the pandemic and their impacts and implications for people with disabilities. METHODS: Following a search of six international databases, articles were selected by two reviewers, and data were abstracted in accordance with scoping review methodology. A thematic analysis was used to report the relevant findings. RESULTS: Thirty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, and three main themes were identified: positive impacts of pandemic-related workplace accommodations on people with disabilities (e.g., improved accessibility, reduced stigma around workplace accommodations, rapid implementation of workplace accommodations, opportunities for advocacy); negative impacts (e.g., worsened physical and mental health, new accommodation needs); and action needed and recommendations (e.g., revisit legislation and policy on accommodations, ensure representation of people with disabilities). Overall, our review identified a mixed assessment of the impacts of pandemic-related accommodations on people with disabilities. However, there was a broader consensus regarding the importance of learning from the experiences of the pandemic to improve workplace accommodation policies in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic may present opportunities for improving workplace accommodation policies, but our review also highlights the need for more research examining how workplace changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted people with disabilities.

Ableism and Workplace Discrimination Among Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Young people with disabilities are persistently under-employed and experience concerning rates of discrimination and ableism in looking for work and within the workplace. Focusing on youth is salient because rates of ableism are often higher among younger ages compared to older. The objective of this systematic review was to explore the experiences and impact of workplace discrimination and ableism among youth and young adults with disabilities. METHODS: Systematic searches of seven databases from 2000 to 2021 were conducted. Four reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria, extracted the data and rated the study quality. RESULTS: Of the 39 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, they represented 516,281 participants across eight countries over a 20-year period. The findings highlight the rates of workplace ableism, factors affecting workplace ableism (i.e., type of disability, gender, education level, lack of employers' knowledge about disability), ableism in job searching and anticipated ableism. The review also noted the impact of workplace ableism, which included pay discrimination, lack of job supports and social exclusion, job turnover and unemployment, and discrimination allegations and charges. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal the stark prevalence of workplace ableism among youth and young adults with disabilities. There is an urgent need for further in-depth research to understand youth's lived experiences of ableism and the development of solutions to address it so they can be included in a meaningful and respectful way in the workplace.