Browsing by Subject "Preferences"

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    The Effect of Partner Reauditorization on Undergraduates’ Attitudes Toward a Peer Who Communicates with Augmentative and Alternative Communication
    (2016-07) Hyppa Martin, Jolene
    Abstract Purpose: This study compared undergraduate college students’ attitudes toward a similar-aged male peer who used a nonelectronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system with and without a partner reauditorization strategy. The study also examined whether partner reauditorization was associated with reported increases in (a) ease of understanding the peer who used AAC, (b) willingness to engage in interactions with the peer who used AAC, and (c) preferences regarding the AAC systems. Method: The independent variable for this study was the presence or absence of partner reauditorization. Sixty-four undergraduate female college students viewed a video of a peer who communicated using a nonelectronic AAC system in which the communication partner reauditorized the aided message, and a second video in which the message was not reauditorized. The sequence of videos was counterbalanced. The dependent variables were the participants’ reported (a) attitudes toward the peer who used AAC, as well as reported (b) ease of understanding the peer, (c) willingness to engage in interaction with the peer, and (d) preferences regarding the AAC systems. After viewing each video, participants completed the Attitudes Toward Nonspeaking Persons survey (ATNP; Gorenflo & Gorenflo, 1991). Attitudes were measured using mean ratings from the ATNP. Participants also answered survey questions that were developed for this study, each of which utilized a five-point scale similar to the scale of the ATNP. Mean ratings from these original survey questions were used to measure reported ease of understanding and willingness to engage in interaction with the peer who used AAC, as well as preferences about the AAC systems. Results: Participants reported (a) more positive attitudes toward, (b) a greater ease in understanding, and (c) an increased willingness to interact with the peer who used nonelectronic AAC with partner reauditorization versus without partner reauditorization. The presence or absence of partner reauditorization did not influence reported preferences regarding AAC systems, however, a majority of participants reported a preference for an electronic speech-generating device over a nonelectronic AAC system. A majority of respondents commented that reauditorization contributed positively to the conversation shown in the video. Conclusion: Partner reauditorization may play a role in improving attitudes that individuals hold about peers who use nonelectronic AAC. Partner reauditorization may also contribute to ease of understanding the aided message and increased likelihood of peer interactions.
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    Investigating Bumble Bee Nesting Habitat Preferences and Natural History Along the Lower St. Croix River
    (Spring 2024) Dolan, Chan
    The upper midwestern US is one of the most changed landscapes on the planet, where much of the native vegetation has now been converted to agriculture. This loss of habitat has negative impacts on a variety of species, including bumble bees (Bombus). Minnesota alone is home to 25 species of bumble bees, with numerous species at risk of extinction that can partially be attributed to habitat loss. In order to implement effective conservation action for these important insects, identifying their habitat requirements is key. Generally, bumble bees require three main habitat components to complete their life cycle: foraging habitat, overwintering habitat, and nesting habitat. The majority of bumble bee research has focused on foraging habitat and flower preferences of bumble bees, leaving a large knowledge gap regarding nesting and overwintering habitat. However, these aspects of the bumble bee life cycle are notoriously difficult to observe and the time required to locate such locations is often considered prohibitive, leaving them to be relatively understudied. This lack of information on the nesting habitat requirements of bumble bees has negative consequences regarding conservation action, as habitat needs cannot be adequately identified and therefore may be inadequately protected. In this thesis, I investigate the nesting habitat preferences of wild bumble bees in different habitat types along the Lower St. Croix River Valley in the US states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. I used a novel, systematic approach to locating bumble bee nests directly in their habitat, spending equal effort in each habitat to quantify bumble bee nesting habitat preference. I also document various aspects of bumble bee nest natural history including nest activity, survival, and interactions with other species, which is important for informing future research directions regarding nesting bumble bee biology and ecology. The findings from this study also inform the development of standardized nest searching protocol for finding bumble bee nests more efficiently.
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    Older people and local public transit: Mobility effects of accessibility improvements in Sweden
    (Journal of Transport and Land Use, 2009) Wretstrand, Anders; Svensson, Helena; Fristedt, Sofi; Falkmer, Torbjörn
    Several transportation factors concerning older and disabled people are under transition in Sweden at present. By the year 2010, the public transit system must be fully accessible for all passengers. The present survey studied older people, in order to assess the perceived travel opportunities. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of older citizens (75+) in three Swedish mid-sized municipalities. The general conclusions were that even though older people show appreciation of the existing travel opportunities, there was evidence for restricted mobility for some sub-groups of these older people, due to various perceived barriers. These groups have few optional modes, and despite various accessibility measures, special transportation services – the mandatory demand-responsive transport service – continues to provide crucial mobility. Hence, there is more to be done regarding accessibility and usability in public transit for older people. Further studies have to clarify reasons for bus travel cessation. Even larger efforts have to be put into accessibility improvements, in particular intermediate transit solutions in order to meet the regulations and policies.