El nen sord a l'escola bressol. 'El ni??o sordo en la escuela infantil'

Se estudia el tema de la educaci??n inicial del ni??o sordo planteando las distintas metodolog??as aplicadas para su integraci??n educativa as?? como el papel de la escuela y la familia para conseguirlo.

La configuración de la prestación de jubilación en el régimen contributivo de la Seguridad Social

La tesi té per objecte l'estudi dels elements configuradors de la prestació de jubilació en la seva modalitat contributiva, és a dir, l'edat pensionable (o edat d'accés a la pensió de jubilació) i el cessament voluntari de l'activitat professional, posant-se de manifest com les diferents reformes aprovades sobre el sistema de Seguretat Social i, en especial, sobre el sistema de jubilació a partir de la dècada dels anys 80 han anat desconfigurant aquesta prestació. En aquest sentit en la Tesi es fa una crítica àmpliament fonamentada i raonada de l'ús abusiu que s'ha fet i que es fa de les diferents modalitats de jubilació anticipada, ja que no solament no han servit per a facilitar l'anomenat "relleu intergeneracional", sinó que, al contrari, són un seriós obstacle per a fer front al fenomen de l'envelliment demogràfic, la manifestació més directa del qual constitueix el canvi en l'estructura de la població per edats derivat de l'important descens de les taxes de natalitat i fertilitat conjuntament amb el corresponent augment dels índexs de longevitat, fenomen aquest que està provocant una profunda transformació de la piràmide demogràfica. Així, es realitza un anàlisi crític de l'ús de la jubilació com si es tractés d'una mesura de política d'ocupació, ja que es produeix una important fallida de la voluntarietat com a element característic del cessament, mitjançant, entre d'altres mesures, la jubilació forçosa i molt especialment, per que està donant lloc a una expulsió anticipada del mercat de treball a nombrosos treballadors encara aptes pel treball que ateses les importants dificultats d'ocupació de les persones de edat avançada es veuen obligades a mantenir-se com a inactives durant molt de temps, en la majoria dels casos en contra del que és la seva voluntat. En front a aquest panorama en la Tesi es proposa reforçar aquests dos elements configuradors de la prestació de jubilació, restringint al màxim l'ús de la jubilació anticipada, efectuant majors controls de la mateixa per a que només sigui utilitzada per empreses que realment ho necessiten, de forma limitada en el temps, i dotant de major flexibilitat a l'edat de jubilació mitjançant el reforçament del seu caràcter de dret al descans i atribuint-ne una major eficàcia a la voluntarietat de aquest dret del treballador. També s'aborda l'examen d'altres qüestions, entre d'altres, referides al funcionament intern de aquesta prestació; el tractament diferenciat establert en els diferents règims de Seguretat Social; el seu càlcul; així com un examen de les fonts estatals e internacionals de regulació de aquesta matèria amb una significativa incidència respecte a la necessitat de realitzar una lectura conjunta dels arts. 41 i 50 de la Constitució espanyola de 1978 i a la complexa aplicació del Reglament de la Unió Europea, Reglament CEE/ 1408/1971 pel reconeixement i càlcul de la prestació de jubilació en el cas de cotitzacions a diversos Estats de la Unió Europea.

Análisis crítico de las instituciones del visto bueno y de la jubilación patronal en el Código del Trabajo ecuatoriano (Tema Central)

La investigación versa sobre el visto bueno, forma de terminación unilateral del contrato de trabajo, motivada en causales determinadas en la ley y con un procedimiento ante autoridad administrativa, y sobre la jubilación patronal, incorporada en 1938 al primer Código Laboral Ecuatoriano y creada para solucionar, transitoriamente, el seguro de vejez de los trabajadores del sector privado. En el análisis hemos tratado de demostrar la obsolescencia y anacronismo de estas instituciones que no aportan en forma adecuada para el objetivo que fueron establecidas. La poca contundencia del visto bueno que, al no tener fuerza obligatoria, puede ser impugnado, la subjetividad con la que resuelve la autoridad y la lentitud del trámite administrativo, hacen necesario un sistema ágil y efectivo. La jubilación patronal debe ser sustituida por un beneficio que, sin perjudicar a los trabajadores, una vez terminada su vida laboral, les sirva como compensación a sus años de servicio.

Integration and segmentation in European investment services markets: assessing the implications for international real estate investment

This paper analyses developments in the growth and configuration of the institutional savings markets within the European Union. The paper discusses the changing socio-economic context in which investment services within the EU are being delivered. The is followed by an examination of drivers of market integration such as the growth and consolidation of the fund management industry, the demographic and fiscal pressures for reform of pensions markets and the process and effects of the deregulation of investment services markets. There is a review of outstanding sources of market segmentation. The projections for future growth in pensions are outlined and implications for real estate investment assessed. It is concluded that, although numerous imponderables render reliable quantitative projections problematic, growth and restructuring of the institutional savings market is likely to increase cross-border capital flows to real estate markets.

Economic deprivation and its effects on subjective wellbeing in families of people with multiple sclerosis

Background: There has been limited research on the role of financial strain on the adjustment of people with multiple sclerosis.

Aims: This study examined the financial costs of MS and the impact of financial strain on the quality of life and adjustment of people with MS and their families.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 16 health professionals, 26 people with MS and 11 family members of people who have MS.

Results: Economic deprivation impacted on the subjective well being of many families living with MS. Concerns included adjustment to a lower income if the person with MS reduced or ceased work, and meeting the costs of home alterations, mobility equipment, and special transport. The additional cost of living with MS is a stress factor, especially for people dependent on disability support pensions.

Conclusions: It is anticipated that the findings from this study will raise the awareness of health professionals and politicians regarding the potential impact of financial stress on people with MS and their families.

The dynamics of adult education : effectiveness of financial education seminars

This study examines the impact of adult education seminars in superannuation investments for retirement has on the investment intentions and decision making of those adults attending the seminars.  The socio-political context of the data is that of an aging population and a future government being unable to afford the current level of age pensions being paid, and attempting to encourage individuals to plan and provide for their own financial well-being in retirement.  Three themes emerged from the data and were seen to be representative of the major issues found in adult education for financial self-sufficiency: education for knowledge, education for decision making, and education for action.  In an attempt to measure the immediate impact of the seminar on the attendees decision making, the investment intentions of seminar attendees were captured at the start and end of the seminar. This was followed up three months later to see whether the intentions expressed at the end of the seminar had been implemented.  The immediate impact of the seminar was to encourage the respondents to express an intention to increase their investment strategy, however when the follow-up was done three months later, the results were mixed. Some respondents who did not express an intention to change their investment strategy actually made changes, and other respondents who did express an intention to make a change, did not do so.

Retirement planning and expectations of Australian babyboomers

The "babyboomer" generation, those who were born between 1946 and 1965, account for over 30% of the population in Australia, and it is no surprise that the government is concerned about the financial implications for future healthcare costs. While many babyboomers are more financially secure than previous generations have been on account of compulsory superannuation contributions made over the past 15 years, there are still some who are financially vulnerable and expect to rely on government pensions and welfare assistance. Changes to family structures and job security also mean that those who are less financially secure will need social support. Using an ecological framework model , we explored the retirement expectations and experiences of some Australian babyboomers through focus groups and individual interviews to identify key issues and their plans to address these issues. Four main themes are reported in this paper: retirement attitudes and expectations, finances, health, and food. The results suggested that for many persons retirement equated freedom. Little future planning was undertaken for retirement other than contributing to superannuation schemes, and expectations were reported in general terms, such as wanting to remain independent and healthy and to have time to socialize and travel.

People, places and policies – trying to account for health inequalities in impoverished neighbourhoods

Objective : We consider associations between individual, household and area-level characteristics and self-reported health.
Method : Data is taken from baseline surveys undertaken in 13 socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria (n=3,944). The neighbourhoods are sites undergoing Neighbourhood Renewal (NR), a State government initiative redressing place-based disadvantage.
Analysis :This focused on the relationship between area and compositional factors and self-reported health. Area was coded into three categories; LGA, NR residents living in public housing (NRPU) and NR residents who lived in private housing (NRPR). Compositional factors included age, gender, marital status, identifying as a person with a disability, level of education, unemployment and receipt of pensions/benefits.
Results : There was a gradient in socio-economic disadvantage on all measures. People living in NR public housing were more disadvantaged than people living in NR private housing who, in turn, were more disadvantaged than people in the same LGA. NR public housing residents reported the worst health status and LGA residents reported the best.
Conclusions : Associations between compositional characteristics of disability, educational achievement and unemployment income and poorer self-reported health were shown. They suggested that area characteristics, with housing policies, may be contributing to differences in self-reported health at the neighbourhood level.
Implications : The clustering of socio-economic disadvantage and health outcomes requires the integration of health and social support interventions that address the circumstances of people and places.

Sources of stress in impoverished neighbourhoods : insights into links between neighbourhood environments and health

Objective : We consider associations between individual, household and area-level characteristics and self-reported health.
Method : Data is taken from baseline surveys undertaken in 13 socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria (n=3,944). The neighbourhoods are sites undergoing Neighbourhood Renewal (NR), a State government initiative redressing place-based disadvantage.
Analysis :This focused on the relationship between area and compositional factors and self-reported health. Area was coded into three categories; LGA, NR residents living in public housing (NRPU) and NR residents who lived in private housing (NRPR). Compositional factors included age, gender, marital status, identifying as a person with a disability, level of education, unemployment and receipt of pensions/benefits.
Results : There was a gradient in socio-economic disadvantage on all measures. People living in NR public housing were more disadvantaged than people living in NR private housing who, in turn, were more disadvantaged than people in the same LGA. NR public housing residents reported the worst health status and LGA residents reported the best.
Conclusions : Associations between compositional characteristics of disability, educational achievement and unemployment income and poorer self-reported health were shown. They suggested that area characteristics, with housing policies, may be contributing to differences in self-reported health at the neighbourhood level.
Implications : The clustering of socio-economic disadvantage and health outcomes requires the integration of health and social support interventions that address the circumstances of people and places.

Household structure and consumption insurance of the elderly

This paper examines the role of household formation in providing consumption insurance to the elderly. Using data from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, raw tabulations of per adult equivalent consumption indicate that the elderly who live alone have higher levels of well-being relative to those who live with others. This is misleading, however, because the decision to live alone is clearly endogenous. The empirical estimation accounts for this endogeneity using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. The results provide evidence that household formation plays a significant role in maintaining consumption levels. Without the opportunity to live with others, the welfare gap measured by the difference between per adult equivalent consumption levels of dependent and independent livers would be even larger. These findings suggest that co-residing with others effectively supplements social security, pensions, and private savings and helps the elderly to smooth consumption in old age.

Gambling participation and problem gambling severity in a stratified random survey : Findings from the second social and economic impact study of gambling in Tasmania

Demographic characteristics associated with gambling participation and problem gambling severity were investigated in a stratified random survey in Tasmania, Australia. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted in March 2011 resulting in a representative sample of 4,303 Tasmanian residents aged 18 years or older. Overall, 64.8 % of Tasmanian adults reported participating in some form of gambling in the previous 12 months. The most common forms of gambling were lotteries (46.5 %), keno (24.3 %), instant scratch tickets (24.3 %), and electronic gaming machines (20.5 %). Gambling severity rates were estimated at non-gambling (34.8 %), non-problem gambling (57.4 %), low risk gambling (5.3 %), moderate risk (1.8 %), and problem gambling (.7 %). Compared to Tasmanian gamblers as a whole significantly higher annual participation rates were reported by couples with no children, those in full time paid employment, and people who did not complete secondary school. Compared to Tasmanian gamblers as a whole significantly higher gambling frequencies were reported by males, people aged 65 or older, and people who were on pensions or were unable to work. Compared to Tasmanian gamblers as a whole significantly higher gambling expenditure was reported by males. The highest average expenditure was for horse and greyhound racing ($AUD 1,556), double the next highest gambling activity electronic gaming machines ($AUD 767). Compared to Tasmanian gamblers as a whole problem gamblers were significantly younger, in paid employment, reported lower incomes, and were born in Australia. Although gambling participation rates appear to be falling, problem gambling severity rates remain stable. These changes appear to reflect a maturing gambling market and the need for population specific harm minimisation strategies. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

O seguro de compromissos de planos de previdência privada

O trabalho discute a possibilidade de criação de um mecanismo de seguro para os compromissos dos planos de previdência privada de benefício definido no Brasil. Analisa-se a experiência de alguns países que criaram mecanismos públicos de seguro contra este tipo de evento. Observou-se que estes mecanismos não cobram um prêmio atuarialmente justo, sujeitando o segurador ao perigo moral. Apresenta-se uma proposta para a regulamentação de um seguro privado e voluntário dirigido aos planos de benefício definido no Brasil, baseada em pesquisa junto a dirigentes de fundos de pensão e empresas seguradoras.