The Journal of Disabilities

About Disabilities

Disabilities (ISSN: 2673-7272, https://www.mdpi.com/journal/disabilities) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on the physical, biopsychosocial, and environmental aspects of disability, published quarterly online by MDPI.

Aims

Research results (original research, controlled trials, case studies, feasibility and pilot studies across research paradigms);
Research protocols and novel use of diagnostic or intervention instruments (introduction of novel approaches to disability, support and innovations which advance inclusion, diagnostic and intervention scales, validation of instruments);
Review articles (systematic reviews, scoping reviews);
Theoretical and conceptual papers; and
Country-/region-specific research (including transnational disability studies).

Scientists are encouraged to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. Therefore, the journal has no restrictions regarding the length of papers. Full experimental details should be provided so that results can be reproduced.

The goal is to ensure that Disabilities is inclusive of all types of disability, across all ages and contexts, while remaining attractive for prospective submissions. We particularly welcome articles from low- and middle- income countries and articles that are authored/co-authored by people with the lived experience of disabilities.

Disabilities acknowledges that there are several models or frameworks that conceptualize the experience of disability. Disabilities is not aligned to one model over others; however, the International Classification of Functioning (ICF; World Health Organization, 2012) represents the most commonly used global framework. According to the biopsychosocial model embedded in the ICF, disability and functioning are outcomes of interactions between health conditions (diseases, disorders, and injuries) and contextual factors. The model recognizes that disability is multidimensional and is the product of complex and situated interactions between an individual’s attributes and their environments. It broadens the perspective of disability and allows for the examination of medical, individual, social, and environmental influences on functioning, disability, and ability occurring in a historical and cultural setting.

Scope

Disabilities invites submissions from a range of topics that relate to how individual and contextual factors interplay with and impact the lives of persons with disabilities, and the implications these have on theory, methodology, policy, and practice. The following list of topics is provided as a guide to outline the relevant research areas and is not intended to be exhaustive.

Impairment

Physical Health

Human development across the full age spectrum;
Injury and chronic illness;
Rehabilitation including assistive technology;

Mental Health

Intellectual, learning, and cognitive disability;
Assessments of and interventions for physical and mental health disabilities;

Social (participation restrictions)

Disability-related stigma, discrimination, and marginalization;
Public health challenges;
Practices that promote inclusivity and equity;
Human rights and advocacy;
Disability and its intersections with other aspects of identity;

Environmental (activity limitations)

Inclusive and special education;
Economy and employment;
Relationship between disability and environmental/climate-related issues;
Universal design and accessibility across systems;
Intersectionality;

Theory and Methodology

Advancement of disability theory and methodology;
Evidence-based practice and guidelines;
Methodologies that promote inclusive, experience-led practices;
Research co-designed with and builds capacity of persons with disabilities.

Aims & Scope (short version)

Disabilities (ISSN 2673-7272) is an open access journal covering a broad range of issues related to the physical, biopsychosocial, and environmental aspects of disability. Disabilities invites submissions from a range of topics that relate to how individual and contextual factors interplay with and impact the lives of persons with disabilities, and the implications these have on theory, methodology, policy, and practice. We welcome topics related to the impact of physical and mental health disabilities on social particpation, interactions between disabilities and the enviroment, disability theory, and methodological advancements in studying topics related to disability.

The following list of topics is provided as a guide to outline the relevant research areas and is not intended to be exhaustive:

· Rehabilitation including assistive technology;

· Assessments of and interventions for physical and mental health disabilities;

· Practices that promote inclusivity and equity;

· Inclusive and special education;

· Advancement of disability theory and methodology; etc.

Message from the Editor-in-Chief

Disability is a multidimensional construct and is the product of complex and situational interactions between an individual’s attributes and their environments. This broadens the perspective of disability and allows for the examination of individual, social, and environmental influences on functioning, disability, and ability occurring in historical and cultural settings. Consequently, Disabilities is inclusive of all types of disability, across all ages and contexts. We particularly welcome articles from low- and middle- income countries and articles that are authored/co-authored by people with the lived experience of disabilities.

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Dr. Reinie Cordier

Northumbria University, UK

Special Issues (open for submissions)

q Aging with Disability

Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Michelle A. Meade and Dr. Shan Parker (Submission deadline: 31 Jan 2023)

q Disability and COVID-19

Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. William C. Miller and Prof. Dr. W. Ben Mortenson (Submission deadline: 28 Feb 2023)

q Decolonial Approaches to Disability Research, Theory and Practice: Reflections on the Global South

Guest Editors: Dr. Shaun Grech, Prof. Dr. Harsha Kathard and Dr. Mershen Pillay (Submission deadline: 28 Feb 2023)

q Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges

Guest Editors: Dr. Kris Southby, Prof. Dr. Matthias Grunke and Janine Bracht (Submission deadline: 31 Mar 2023)