Abstract
This paper takes a look at how people in wheelchairs are pitied and treated with less respect than they deserve. The paper discusses how people with disabilities fight to gain rights and independence, as they do not want charity, nor do they want to be perceived as super heroes. The paper then goes on to discuss wheelchair accessibility in movie theaters and other popular public places.

Table of Contents:
I: Images
People in Wheelchairs
II. Legal Concerns
Wheelchair Accessibility in Movie Theaters
III. Power Points to Ponder
What if . . .

From the Paper
"People in wheelchairs, along with numerous other people with disabilities, are individuals with rights, Openden reports Joseph P. Shapiro to stress in his 1994 book, No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement. Often, in the past, individuals in wheelchairs were pitied and treated with less respect than they deserved. Today, Openden notes: "Poor treatment of people with disabilities is also prevalent in public, perpetuated by images of pity, such as the poster child Tiny Tim or the "supercrip" who transcends his or her disability rather than accepting it."

Tags:disabled, disability, integration, access, seating, ramp

Abstract
This paper discusses how an analysis should always be made of any Web design in terms of how that design will serve the many populations that may access it, how it can be improved to serve more people, and what elements might be changed to accommodate the needs of specific disabled groups. It explains that the intent should always by to enable access for as many people as possible, minimizing obstacles to access and understanding, and recognizing the needs of the many different types of people who use the Internet. It concludes that this is a key moral, ethical, and business issue, based both on equity and on the more self-serving need of the given site to attract and serve as many people as possible.

From the Paper
"The above are only some of the ways to improve Web accessibilty by means of Web design. Accessibilty is improved first by assuring that everyone possible has access to the necessary computer equipment and to affordable connections to the Internet. The ability to use the hardware is a problem for some because of disabilities which seem to mitigate against computer use but which can be adjusted for in computer design and the creation of peripheral products serving those with special needs. Accessibility then becomes a matter of being able to make sense of the content of the Internet, which for some is more difficult because of cognitive disability. Solutions can be found at each of these junctures if proper attention is paid to the need and to options that exist."

Tags:internet, world, wide, web

Abstract
This paper introduces, summarizes and discusses an article by Tim Spindler which looks at how difficult it is for disabled people and the learning disabled to access web pages and other academic material at mid-sized college and university libraries.

From the Paper
"The basis of this article reflects the research that has been done in relation to disabled people and their ability to navigate successfully through Internet website pages and other academic educational material in learning facilities. By understanding the various studies that were created to define how many students were suffering limitations and problems with accessing websites in learning centers or libraries, the article commonly reflects the problem of textual comprehension. Also, the issue of schools and libraries making their facilities adaptable for disabled students is a priority in understanding why Internet and visual website access is an important new tool that disabled students must be able to have access in their education. by providing studies, information, and suggestions to web designers and computer assistants at learning centers, this article seeks to understand how limitations..."

Tags:computer, disability, program

Abstract
As the American population continues to become more diverse racially, members of visible minority groups within the population become more prominent. Simultaneously, with the increase in diversity, income distribution in the American economy has become more distorted. While economic growth in the United States has surged over the past decade, the income gap has widened; not only between the richest and poorest Americans, but also between moderate-income and low-income Americans. Members of visible minorities in the population tend to be represented disproportionately in the low-income and poverty classifications in the United States. While there is an abundance of implications of this state of affairs, one of the more crucial ones is access to health care. Individual and household financial capacity, the scarcity of employer-paid health insurance among small businesses, cultural differences based in social psychology and other factors frequently act as impediments to health care access for low-income individuals and households among visible minority population groups in the contemporary United States. This problem and these issues are investigated in this study. The study identifies causal factors for the gap in health care access between lower-income Americans and members of visible minorities in the United States, on the one hand, and more affluent Americans and members of the majority segment of the population, on the other hand. The initial chapter of this study delineates the problem investigated. Specific research questions are formulated and stated to provide greater focus for the investigation.
Social psychological theory and applied social psychology literature are reviewed in the second chapter. Literature relevant to the functioning of low-income and visible minority population groups in the United States within a social psychological context are reviewed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter is devoted to a review of literature relevant to both the health care system in the United States and the experiences of low-income and visible minority population groups in relation to health care access and health care delivery in the United States. An assessment of the problem investigated, performed within the structure of the research questions, is presented in the final (fifth) chapter. Conclusions drawn from the study findings are stated and recommendations for further research are made. The summary conclusions reached through the conduct of this study relate both to health care access and health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities. With respect to health care access, the summary conclusion reached is that a universal system of health care entitlement is required in the United States. In relation to health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities, the summary conclusion reached is that extensive education is required for both low-income persons and members of visible minorities, on the one hand, and health care providers, on the other hand. Low-income persons and members of visible minorities require education on the benefits and function of health care services, while health care providers require education in the social mores of the diverse populations they must serve.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Problem Delineation
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of Relevant Social Psychology Theory and Literature
Introduction
Sociological Theory and Health Care
The Welfare State
Accessing Contemporary Health Care
Role of Ethics in Accessing Health Care
Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems
Chapter Conclusions
Social Functioning of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
Initiatives to Improve Health Care
Access and Behaviors
The American Health Care System and the Experiences of Low-Income and Visible Minority Groups
Introduction
The American Health Care System
Analysis of Health Care Delivery Systems
Care Quality
Alternative Approaches to Health Care
Bio-ethical Issues
Problems of Accessibility
Initiatives to Improve Minority Access
Chapter Conclusions
Assessment of the Problem Discussion, Recommendations for Further Research
Appendices
Annotated Bibliography

From the Paper
"Social Cognitive Theory [self-efficacy] emphasizes the role of expectancies, self-efficacy, peer normative influences, and social competency skills as key components affecting adolescents' behaviors (DiClemente, Lodico, Grinstead, Harper, Rickman, Evans, & Coates, 1996). The applicability of models based on social psychological principles for understanding African-Americans' decision-making and sexual behavior has been questioned because most such models tend to be individually-focused and do not take into account the social context in which the behavior is embedded (Cochran & Mays, 1993). Social cognitive theory, however, explicitly integrates behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors as reciprocally interactive. Thus, given the hypothesized multi-factorial nature of sexual decision making and the potential impact of the high-risk social environment of the study population, approaches based on social cognitive theory are thought to be particularly relevant for understanding the myriad factors that may affect African-Americans' sexual behavior."

Tags:Simmelian, Four, Quadrants, HIV/AIDS, TRA

Abstract
This paper, based in sociological and social psychology concepts, identifies the causal factors for the gap between lower-income Americans and members of visible minorities in the United States and more affluent Americans and members of the majority segment of the population with respect to health care access. The author concludes, after an extensive review of the literature, that a universal system of health care entitlement is required in the United States. The author suggests that an extensive education is required for low-income persons and members of visible minorities to know the benefits and function of health care services, and health care providers require education in the social mores of the diverse populations they must serve.

Table of Contents
Problem Delineation
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of Relevant Social Psychology Theory and Literature
Introduction
Sociological Theory and Health Care
The Welfare State
Accessing Contemporary Health Care
Role of Ethics in Accessing Health Care
Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems
Chapter Conclusions
Social Functioning of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
Initiatives to Improve Health Care Access and Behaviors
The American Health Care System and The Health Care Experiences of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
The American Health Care System
Delivery of Health Care to the Poor
Care Quality
Alternative Approaches to Delivery
Bioethical Issues
Problems of Accessibility
Initiatives to Improve Access
Chapter Conclusions
Assessment of the Problem
Discussion
Recommendations for Further Research
Annotated Bibliography

From the Paper
"One of the major impediments to the attainment of universal access to healthcare in the United States is the functioning of for-profit Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and managed care organizations (MCOs). These organizations are investor-owned organizations that are in business to make a profit on healthcare delivery. Non-for-profit healthcare organizations also must earn a profit on their operations in order to be able to compensate and train staff, acquire new technology, and generally improve the quality of their services. Unlike investor-owned healthcare companies, however, non-for-profit organizations are not driven by share prices and the bottom-line mentality of for-profit companies. Thus, patient-centered care in not-for-profit healthcare organizations may be contrasted with the investor orientation of the for-profit healthcare companies. Recent decisions by for-profit healthcare companies to drop their Medicare healthcare groups because of substandard profit growth illustrates as no amount of rhetoric can the precedent of investor concerns over patient concerns in the for-profit healthcare companies."

Tags:hmo, managed-care, profit, entitlement, interactionist

Abstract
This paper presents a proposal for an accessible home design project by Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. The paper aims to determine what individuals with physical challenges and disabilities need in order to enjoy an independent lifestyle. The paper describes the services that the Caring & Sharing Center provides to consumers. The paper also discusses the financial aspects of the project and its challenges and options.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement Of The Problem
Background Of The Problem
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Florida Building Code on Accessibility
Constraints and Limitations
Opportunities
Options For Consideration
Recommendation
Budget/Narrative
Project Benefits
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to the US Census Bureau News Release, more than 50 million Americans report some level of disability. Approximately 51.2 million people have a disability; and for 32.5 million of them, their disabilities are severe. The US Social Security Administration defines disability in terms of the inability to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), meaning "work paying minimum wage or better". Although the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) distinguish many types of disabilities, this research proposal is focusing specifically on disabilities associated with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (i.e. paralyses). For this purpose, paralysis is defined as the complete loss of muscle function of one or more muscle groups."

Tags:affordable, housing, modifications, disability, independent

Abstract
This paper explains that, although most researchers and educationalists mistakenly consider literacy and technical proficiency not to be related, in reality, a person must posses both skills to work efficiently and to achieve success in life. Next, the author looks at the literature that suggests the existence of a digital divide in the schools in lower social and economic areas, which limits the development of their students' technological and Internet skills. The paper describes a qualitative phenomenological research design using interviews and electronic surveys of African-American college students to gain more insight into how they may have been affected by this digital divide.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Context of the Problem
Effectiveness of Digital Technology
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Research Design and Methodology
Organization of the Study
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The first thing that one notices is that most of the finance and funds donated by the state governments, parent and/or other agencies, have been invested in the purchase of computers and other technologies within the field of education and hence has increased the use and dependence on Internet over the past ten years as well in the United States alone. A rough estimate of student accessibility to computers is that nearly 95% of the public schools utilize computers, although this figure also includes public school where computers are used solely for administrative purposes as well. However, another report showed that 75% of the total public schools in the U.S. have a computer setup for utilization as a medium of instruction."

Tags:literacy, financial aid, teachers, computer-based instruction, programs

Abstract
This paper presents the author's view of the five most important technological developments in the last 30 years. In the first 2.5 pages, the author gives a historical overview, detailing five inventions: UNIX, Ethernet, the microprocessor, the personal computer (PC), and broadband Internet. In the remainder of the piece, the author justifies these inventions, drawing conclusions as to why these developments, which are all related to information technology, are the most important of our time and will continue to be in the coming years.

Abstract
This report examines the differing policies toward access to the internet in the USA and China. In an age where greater and greater levels of communication are becoming the norm, there are still certain regimes who regard the internet as a potentially threatening resource for those who would seek to challenge current institutions or who would wish to organise against the government. This report examines the two different nations and how their internet access is governed. To a large extent it is concluded that the manner in which internet access is controlled in the respective nations is relative to the two very different political systems that operate within them. As a result. the paper looks at how the Chinese system is heavily regulated and centrally controlled, whereas the USA system is much less regulated and responds more to the judiciary and to legal grounds for censorship rather than the preservation of the state.

From the Paper
"The internet has changed the way people live in quite dramatic ways. It has opened up new channels for political dissent and has offered the opportunity for communication on a scale that was previously never thought possible. There are many cases worldwide where the internet has been used to unite people and to aid their struggles. The concept of new social movements and the ability of movements such as the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico to survive and prosper is due in large part to their ability to reach a wide audience as a result of the internet. Without this access to the internet it would most likely have been the case that the Zapatista movement would have wiped out by the Mexican army. However, as a result of their ability to garner support from across the globe they were able to shine a light on events in Chiapas and gain international support for what they were doing. As a result of this they undermined the Mexican state and won their battle (at least for now). Control over this medium is therefore a key issue which can have very significant outcomes on politics."

Tags:Censorship globalization freedom, information web access

Abstract
This paper analyzes Turkey's accession into the EU, which if successful, would mark the culmination of Turkish economic ambitions since 1963. The author acknowledges that there are good arguments for and against accession, and even though EU member states are slowly starting to warm up to the idea of accession there is still no way of telling at this point whether Turkey will be accepted into the European Union or not.

From the Paper
"At the moment Turkish prospects for accession look dim. In light of the French suburban riots of November, the outrage felt in the Muslim world over the publication of defamatory cartoons in Dutch and Norwegian newspapers last fall, reprinted by a French publication in early February and the murder of a Dutch filmmaker over what some Muslims considered anti-Islamic statements, the peaceful union of Christian and Islamic cultures seems near impossible. According to one newspaper, "Europe is sitting by the busted carriage of Muslim integration. In the language of Paris' suburbs, Europe is sitting by the burning wheels of the integration. If that was not enough, an attempt will be made to drag the whole of Muslim Turkey into the EU on the wheels that were burned by the rioters." The notion of integration difficulties has been fueled by beliefs that Muslims have little conception of democratic values such as freedom of speech most particularly in the instance of Muslim responses to items such as the Muhammad cartoon and the slaying of the Dutch filmmaker. The French riots have only served to highlight these ideological differences and make the failed integration plainly evident."

Tags:turkey, muslim, eu, access, turk, european