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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: People with disabilities

Reflections from Lived Experience: Disability and Public Libraries
Examines disability needs as related to rural public libraries and their services. Focuses on library networking, information resources, outreach, and accessing community resources in rural areas. Discusses library services such as assisting with health insurance and benefits enrollment, social connectedness, transportation needs, and more.
Author(s): Jeff Gutierrez
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Transportation: The Missing Link in Family Caregiver Support
Provides information on transportation services the professional or family caregivers of people with disabilities or aging-related challenges. See pages 8-9 for discussion of rural-specific challenges and strategies.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organizations: ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Future Directions for Rural Population Research to Inform Extension: Listening Sessions Findings
A recorded webinar that discusses rural populations and issues important to them, such as food systems, community development, natural resources, healthcare access, disability services, and more. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): John J. Green, Katherine Curtis, Kristina Brant, Sreedhar Upendram, Paige Kelly
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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A Consultation Model for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Care
Analyzes the impact of a consultation model within an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) clinic in North Carolina. Examines 2017-2023 data of IDD patients and includes breakdowns of patient demographics, clinical needs, administrative characteristics, and estimated travel distance/time to clinic. Discusses the consultation model and its potential to serve rural and geographically dispersed patients.
Author(s): Rebecca T. Putnam, Phillip M. Hughes, Chelsea C. Atkins, C. Micha Belden
Citation: The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 38(1), 180-187
Date: 01/2025
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Western Reserve Independent Living Center: Leaders in Disability Advocacy for Eastern Ohio
Highlights the work of a rural Ohio Center for Independent Living (CIL) related to advocacy at both the individual and system levels. Includes specific examples related to transportation and outreach.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Luke Santore, Rayna Sage
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Partnering for Research at Your Center for Independent Living: Tips from Your Peers
Fact sheet offering nine helpful conditions for partnering for research at Centers for Independent Living (CILs) as identified by staff of rural CILs and State Independent Living Councils (SILCs). Describes how the guidance was developed and core Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Krys Standley, Hannah Pepprock, Rayna Sage
Date: 01/2025
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National Aging and Disability Transportation Center 2025 Innovations Showcase
Highlights 6 programs offering transportation services that are innovative in accessibility, coordination, cross-jurisdictional boundaries, healthcare access, and technology, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities. Includes rural-focused programs in Michigan and South Carolina, offering lessons learned and advice for replication.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Exploring the Treatment and Management of Chronic Pain and Implications for Disability Determinations: Proceedings of a Workshop
Proceedings of an April 2025 workshop highlighting best practices for, advancements in, and challenges with the treatment of chronic pain and disability. Discusses rural access to healthcare.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Annual Disability Statistics Compendium 2025
Presents statistics on Americans with disabilities across key social and economic indicators derived from American Community Survey (ACS) data, including employment, educational attainment, health and healthcare, and more. Section 10 presents data on people with disabilities in rural areas, and compares the prevalence of disability, demographic characteristics, employment status, income, and insurance coverage status across metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Additional links: Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America 2025
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Research on Disability, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
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Experiences of People with Disabilities in Rural America 2025 Infographic ADSC
Infographic on disability in rural America using American Community Survey data. Includes data on prevalence, employment, and poverty.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Research on Disability
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