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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: People with disabilities

State Summaries of Lifespan Respite Grant Activities and Outcomes: Final Reports, FY2017 – FY2018 Grantees
Summaries of final reports from the fiscal year 2017 and 2018 Administration for Community Living (ACL) State Lifespan Respite Care program grantees. The State Lifespan Respite Care program aims to create coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages with special needs. Describes each of the project's outcomes, accomplishments, and partnerships. Highlights programs serving rural areas.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
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Early Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Experience With the Use of Telehealth to Address Disparities: Scoping Review
Provides an overview of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-funded research on using telehealth to address health disparities. Describes barriers and facilitators to implementing telehealth in populations at risk for disparities, including people in rural areas, and identifies themes across studies.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e28503
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Virginia Rural Microtransit Project
Case study of a microtransit program in rural Virginia that aims to provide transportation to senior centers that require meal delivery, as well as fixed route and demand-response transportation to aging residents and residents with disabilities. Describes the cost of the project, coordination with community entities, and impacts of COVID-19.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Rural and Urban People with Disabilities
Explores the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among people with disabilities. Examines data from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) as well as the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) to identify factors associated with social isolation and loneliness, including living in a rural location and transportation problems.
Author(s): Catherine Ipsen, Gilbert Gimm
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
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The Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities
Examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities. Covers access to healthcare and direct care workers, congregate care settings and transition, education, employment, effective communication, and mental health and suicide prevention services. Identifies challenges to rural residents throughout, including access to broadband in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to federal and state policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Disability
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Going to the Doctor: Rideshare as Nonemergency Medical Transportation
Discusses the role of rideshare-based non-emergency medical transportation (RB-NEMT) in serving the transportation needs across the country, including in rural areas. Details the different types of RB-NEMT services, such as door-to-door, curb-to-curb, hand-to-hand, and area-to-area. Breaks down the different groups that benefit from RB-NEMT by transportation limitations, age, and insurance type, among other factors. Discusses RB-NEMT's efficacy for rural areas, medical and logistical barriers, and makes policy recommendations.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Status, Intent, and Perceived Access for Noninstitutionalized Adults, by Disability Status — National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module, United States, May 30–June 26, 2021
Examines COVID-19 vaccination status and intent and perceived vaccine access among adults by disability status. Includes data on vaccination by disability status for those in metropolitan compared to nonmetro areas.
Author(s): A. Blythe Ryerson, Catherine E. Rice, Mei-Chuan Hung, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(39), 1365-1371
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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ADA Toolkit
Provides information and resources for local and rural transit managers. Identifies requirements under ADA regulations based on the type of transit service and best practices. Includes information on considerations for riders with disabilities related to COVID-19.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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NADTC Best Practices Compendium
Highlights innovative programs, best practices, and lessons learned by 16 programs funded by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) between 2017-2019. Identifies common themes across the programs that serve as key considerations for communities that want to expand accessible transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities. Includes a section focused on rural transportation programs.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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People with Disabilities Still at Risk in Congregate Care Settings
Describes factors that increase the rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death in congregate care settings, specifically among people with disabilities. Compares the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in nursing facilities by rural and urban status and by region between May 2-August 8, 2021. Discusses how vaccination and community-based programs can reduce the risk of COVID-19 among people with disabilities.
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
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