International consortium of researchers from more than 14 countries is investigating how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting these people and their families.
Prof. Dr. phil. Ingolf Prosetzky is Professor of Special Needs Education/Inclusion Studies at the HSZG and addresses the following time-sensitive request to you. He is currently involved in two international projects researching the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people with special needs in the form of online questionnaires. The deadline for the online surveys ends when the most important infection protection measures (school, home, work) against the spread of the coronavirus are lifted.
The infection control measures against the spread of the coronavirus have far-reaching consequences for us. Many have the frightening images of chaotic conditions in hospitals in China, northern Italy and Spain in mind. Others are more concerned about the consequences of contact restrictions, social isolation measures or their livelihoods. How are children, young people and adults with special needs coping with this situation? And what do they need? What do they wish for? What can we learn from each other so that we can better overcome similar challenges in the future? In order to better answer these questions, two international research teams have currently created two different online questionnaires.
The first questionnaire is explicitly aimed at families. It was developed by Prof. Andrea Samson and Dr. Daniel Dukes from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and Prof. Jo van Herwegen from University College London. This survey is currently being carried out in Australia, Germany, France, India, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic and the USA.
The second study is aimed directly at adults with and without disabilities. with and without disabilities. US researchers Prof. Connie Sung and Prof. Marisa Fisher (Michigan State University) want to find out what impact the pandemic has had on employment in working life and general well-being. They will be asked about life satisfaction, stress levels and the social support they experience. These findings will later be analyzed per country, but also in an international comparison. This questionnaire is currently available in Chinese, Swedish, French, Korean, Taiwanese, Spanish, German and Greek.
We would like to ask you to take part in the surveys as soon as possible. We assure you that the data will not be passed on to third parties. The data may not be used for commercial purposes. The surveys are anonymous and do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about your identity. We do not ask for your name, date of birth, e-mail address or other contact details.
What is this study about? The aim of this international research project is to find out how people with special needs are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and all its consequences. We are interested in their very special experiences during the crisis, as well as those of their parents.
Who can take part? Parents and caregivers of people (children and adults) with special needs (e.g. autism spectrum disorder, Williams-Beuren syndrome, Down syndrome, etc.).
Why should you participate? You will help us to gain a better understanding of the experiences of people with special needs and their families and help to shape future interventions to improve their quality of life.
The direct link to the questionnaire is: fpse.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8xpo5rv4mAbzz
or https://fpse.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8xpo5rv4mAbzzT
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail. emotion(at)unidistance.chFor further information see flyer and on our website: www.specialneedscovid.org
Prof. Andrea Samson & Dr. Daniel Dukes, University of Fribourg & UniDistance (CH) Dr. Jo Van Herwegen, UCL Institute of Education (UK)
Other international project partners in 14 countries, including Prof. Sven Bölte, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Sweden, Prof. Ruth Campos, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, Prof. Antonio Hardan, Stanford University, USA, Prof. Ingolf Prosetzky, HSZG
What is this study about? The aim of the study is to assess the different experiences of COVID-19 among people with and without disabilities in different countries. In particular, you will be asked about COVID-19 and its impact on aspects of your daily life, including stress, independence and employment status.
Who can take part? People aged 18 and over with and without a disability. If you care for someone with a disability, you can complete the survey together or on their behalf and fill in their answers.
Why should you take part? To help us gain a better understanding of the experiences of people with disabilities and help shape future interventions to improve their quality of life.
The direct link to the questionnaire: msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88QMXbf6WvdZIUt
The link for social media is: tinyurl.com/MSU-COVID-Social
It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete the form. If you have any questions, please contact us: csung@msu.edu. For further information see Flyer.
Prof. Dr. Connie Sung and Prof. Dr. Marisa Fisher (Michigan State University, USA)
International project partner is, among others, Prof. Ingolf Prosetzky, HSZG
The Easy Language and Corona Task Force has compiled an extensive collection of materials. It contains regularly updated knowledge articles, a lexicon, links to videos and offers for everyday life. For example: cooking recipes and yoga videos in plain language or instructions for computer programs: Corona Easy Language - Knowledge about Corona in easy language
The website of the DGSGB (German Society for Mental Health in People with Intellectual Disabilities) offers an information package on the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) for download, which contains pictograms and documents in plain language. To the website: https://dgsgb.de/ or directly to the download https://dgsgb.de/downloads/Corona_bei_IM.zip
Recommendations from Lebenshilfe on COVID-19
COVID-19 and people with intellectual and severe disabilities. Statement by the Chair of Education and Rehabilitation for People with Intellectual and Severe Disabilities at the University of Cologne in April 2020 on the vulnerability of this group of people
