Disabilities

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes the following definition of disabilities:

“Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Disability is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives”.

Who has never seen someone who is not able to see, to speak, to hear, to walk etc; someone with an impairment? Some were born with while others acquired later in life. The disability may be permanent or temporary.

There are many different kinds of disability and a wide variety of situations people experience. Here, we give an overview of the common ones.

1.    Vision impairment

Vision impairment refers to people who are blind or who have partial vision.
When talking with a person who is blind or has a vision impairment:

·    Always identify yourself and any others with you;

·    Ask if the person requires assistance, and listen for specific instructions, however; be prepared for your offer to be refused;

·    If guiding a blind person, let him/her take your arm, rather than taking his. Describe any changes in the environment such as steps, obstacles;

·    If the person has a guide dog, please remember the dog is working and should not be patted, fed or distracted.

2.    People who are deaf or hard of hearing

Hearing impairments can range from mild to profound. People who are hard of hearing may use a range of strategies and equipment including speech, lip-reading, writing notes, hearing aids or sign language interpreters.

When talking to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing:

·    Look and speak directly to him/her, not just to the people accompanying him/her, including interpreters;

·    Speak clearly and use a normal tone of voice;

·    If you don't understand what a person is saying, ask him/her to repeat or rephrase, or alternatively offer him/her a pen and paper.

3.    People with mental health conditions

Mental illness is a general term for a group of illnesses that affect the mind or brain. These illnesses, which include bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and personality disorders, affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts.

A person with a mental health condition may experience difficulty concentrating, which can sometimes be a result of medication.

When living with a person who suffers from mental illness:

·    Try to avoid overly stressful situations wherever possible so that his/her condition is not exacerbated.

·    Provide clear and thorough explanations and instructions, in writing if required.

·    Ask the person how they would like to receive information.

4.    People with intellectual disability

A person with an intellectual disability may have significant limitations in the skills needed to live and work in the community, including difficulties with communication, self-care, social skills, safety and self-direction. The most important thing to remember is to treat each person as an individual. A person with an intellectual disability is just like everyone else.

When living with a person who suffers from an intellectual disability:

·    Treat him/her as you would like to be treated;

·    Be considerate of the extra time it might take for a person with an intellectual disability to do or say something;

·    Be patient and give your undivided attention, especially with someone who speaks slowly or with great effort;

·    Allow more time and greater flexibility for training.

5.    People with acquired brain injury (ABI)

Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any type of brain damage that occurs after birth. The injury may occur because of infection, disease, lack of oxygen or a trauma to the head. The long-term effects are different for each person and can range from mild to profound.

It is common for many people with ABI to experience:

·    Increased fatigue (mental and physical);

·    Some slowing down in the speed with which they process information, plan and solve problems;

·    Changes to their behaviour and personality, physical and sensory abilities, or thinking and learning;

·    May also have difficulty in areas such as memory, concentration and communication;

·    A person with an Acquired Brain Injury does not have an intellectual disability and does not have a mental illness.

When living with people with ABI:

·    Provide clear and thorough explanations and instructions;

·    Minimise stress to maximise concentration and performance;

·    Give verbal and written instructions or try giving examples to illustrate ideas and summarise ideas;

·    Allow more time and greater flexibility for training.

6.    People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is an umbrella description which includes Autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome and atypical autism. Autism affects the way information is taken in and stored in the brain. People with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and other activities. Many people with an autism spectrum disorder also have sensory sensitivities, i.e. over or under sensitivity to sight, touch, taste, smell, sound, temperature or pain.

7.    People with physical disability

The common characteristic in physical disability is that some aspect of a person's physical functioning, usually either their mobility, dexterity, or stamina, is affected. People with physical disability are usually experts in their own needs and will understand the impact of their disability.

When living with people with physical disability:

·    Always ask before offering assistance;

·    Be at the same level when talking with the person;

·    Never assume that a person with physical disability also has intellectual disability;

·    Ask permission before touching a person's wheelchair or mobility aid.

By Mr. Kamagate Yaya, Intern. Marketing in Sigma Group of Institutes - Vadodara.

Source: https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion/different-types-of-disabilities

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Pollution

Pollution

Pollution is a degradation of the environment by the introduction into the air, water or soil of materials that are not naturally present in the environment. It causes a disruption of the ecosystem, the consequences of which may include the migration or extinction of certain species unable to adapt to change. Often due directly or indirectly to human activity, pollution can however result from natural phenomena such as a volcanic or solar eruption.

1.    Types of pollution

Air pollution

There are two types of air pollutants, primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source, while secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.

Water pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up in bodies of water and promote algae and weed growth, which can make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms to die.

Land and Soil pollution

Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human’s activities and the misuse of land resources, while Soil is polluted through leaking underground septic tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful substances from landfill, and direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans.

Pollution by type or pollutants

We can list industrial, radioactive, electromagnetic, thermal, light, spatial pollution, noise etc. Noise and light pollution will be discussed.

2.    Causes of pollution

Air pollution

·    The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity produces both primary and secondary pollutants and is one of the biggest sources of air pollution;

·    The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases creating even more toxic gases;

·    According to The Earth Institute, the heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air pollution. Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural activities. Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also contribute to water pollution.

Water pollution

·    Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution, by creating primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills;

·    In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems including the harming and killing of sea creatures, which ultimately affects humans.

Land and Soil pollution

·    Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil at other locations;

·    Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutrient value and structure causing soil degradation, another type of soil pollution;

·    Landfills can leach harmful substances into the soil and water ways and create very bad smells, and breeding grounds for rodents that transmit diseases.

Pollution by type or pollutants

·    Noise pollution is caused by household sources, social events, commercial and industrial activities, and transportation, while light pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use of artificial lights at night that can cause health problems in humans and disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities;

·    Sources of light pollution include electronic billboards, night sports grounds, street and car lights, city parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.

3.     Effects

Air pollution

·    High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also cause worsening of existing heart problems, asthma, and other lung complications;

·    Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health problems due to air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure, and diseases;

·    Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects such as climate change in addition to the effects on humans and animals.

Water pollution

·    By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain;

·    Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking water sources that create toxins that kill fish and other aquatic animals. Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health problems in humans including neurological effects, respiratory problems, stomach and liver illness, and rashes;

·    Bodies of water that are near urbanized areas tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and individuals;

·    Nitrates, caused by fertilizers, also contaminate drinking water and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, babies who consume water that is high in nitrates can become seriously ill with blue-baby syndrome, which causes shortness of breath and blue-tinted skin, and can lead to death if not treated early.

Land and Soil pollution

·    Contaminated land and soil can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory problems, and even different kinds of cancers;

·    Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of vegetation and tree cover creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and habitats. Deforestation also creates an imbalance in atmospheric conditions, reducing the amount of carbon that is naturally taken out of the atmosphere. This is a serious problem considering that most pollution created by people is carbon based.

Pollution by type or pollutants

·    Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in decreased productivity;

·    Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our eyes and decreasing our quality of life. Light pollution also causes a decrease in the hormone melatonin that helps us to fall asleep, resulting in restlessness and fatigue;

·    Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic meaning their movement, mating, growth and development, and eating cycles are regulated by natural light patterns. Light pollution can interfere with these natural behaviours and cycles, causing a decrease in wildlife populations.

Conclusion

Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment we live in, contaminating our food and water, causing diseases and cancers in humans and wildlife, and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultra-violet radiation.

Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning, governmental policies, and public and industrial participation. However the result of ignoring the problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end.

By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural chemicals, and developing safe renewable energy we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living.

It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment. Everyone is entitled to clean air to breathe, water to drink, and public lands to enjoy.

By Mr. Kamagate Yaya, Intern. Marketing in Sigma Group of Institutes - Vadodara.

Source: https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/pollution-causes-effects/

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HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is transmitted through body fluids; in particular blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

It has been established that transmission takes place in four ways: unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner (the most common); blood and blood products through, for example, infected transfusions and organ or tissue transplants, or the use of contaminated injection or other skin-piercing equipment; transmission from infected mother to child in the womb or at birth; and breastfeeding.

HIV is not transmitted by casual physical contact, coughing, sneezing and kissing, by sharing toilet and washing facilities, by using eating utensils or consuming food and beverages handled by someone who has HIV; it is not spread by mosquitoes or other insect bites.

HIV weakens the human body’s immune system, making it difficult to fight infection. A person may live for ten years or more after infection, much of this time without symptoms or sickness, although they can still transmit the infection to others.

Early symptoms of AIDS include: chronic fatigue, diarrhoea, fever, mental changes such as memory loss, weight loss, persistent cough, severe recurrent skin rashes, herpes and mouth infections and swelling of the lymph nodes. Opportunistic diseases such as cancers, meningitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis may also take advantage of the body’s weakened immune system.

Although periods of illness may be interspersed with periods of remission, AIDS is almost always fatal.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

HIV infection is preventable. HIV is a fragile virus, which can only survive in a limited range of conditions. It can only enter the body through naturally moist places and cannot penetrate unbroken skin. Prevention therefore involves:

·    Ensuring that there is a barrier to the virus, for example condoms or protective equipment such as gloves and masks (where appropriate);

·    Ensuring that skin-piercing equipment is not contaminated.

Prevention can also involve:

·    Informing people about factors which cause HIV/AIDS i.e. the ways of transmission;

·    Promoting awareness and prevention programmes, particularly in the rural zones;

·    changing in behaviour, knowledge, treatment and creating a non-discriminatory environment;

·    Promoting prevention efforts particularly in relation to changing attitudes and behaviours through the provision of information and education.

Management of HIV/AIDS

Solidarity, care and support are critical elements that should guide a society or community in responding to HIV/AIDS. The following actions can be taken to manage HIV/AIDS:

·    Governments should promote care and support through public healthcare programmes, social security systems and/or other relevant government initiatives;

·    Mechanisms should be created to encourage openness, acceptance and support for those who disclose their HIV status and ensure that they are not discriminated against nor stigmatized;

·    People should endeavour to provide counselling and other forms of social support to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS;

·    Health-care services should provide appropriate and affordable treatment. Linkages such as this have the advantage of reaching beyond the sufferers, to cover their families, in particular their children;

·    Partnership between governments, population and other relevant stakeholders also ensures effective delivery of services and saves costs.

Elimination of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS cannot be eliminated, only some medicines like Antiretroviral drugs are available to slow its progression and prolong life of the sufferers. However, these are very expensive and consequently unavailable to most sufferers. But the situation is changing rapidly because research is currently going on into vaccines even if none is viable as yet. The virus is killed by bleach, strong detergents and very hot water.

Conclusion

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is now a global crisis and constitutes one of the most formidable challenges to development and social progress. In the most affected countries, the epidemic is eroding decades of development gains, undermining economies, threatening security and destabilizing societies. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic has already had a devastating impact, the crisis has created a state of emergency.

Beyond the suffering it imposes on individuals and their families, the epidemic is profoundly affecting the social and economic fabric of societies.

HIV/AIDS is affecting fundamental Human rights, particularly with respect to discrimination and stigmatization aimed at people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The epidemic and its impact strike hardest at vulnerable groups including women and children, thereby increasing existing gender inequalities and exacerbating the problem of child labour.

By Mr. Kamagate Yaya, Intern. Marketing in Sigma Group of Institutes -Vadodara.

Source: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---ilo_aids/documents/publication/wcms_113783.pdf

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