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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: People with disabilities

Exploring Oral Health and Care Access among Adults with Disabilities
Report discusses the challenges adults with disabilities have accessing oral healthcare. Explores the role of transportation, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, and metro versus non-metro location, among other factors, as barriers to oral healthcare access for people with disabilities.
Author(s): Morgan Santoro, Lisa J. Heaton, Rebecca Preston, et al.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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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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California State Health Assessment Core Module 2025 Update
Provides data on a variety of health conditions and demographics as part of California's annual State Health Assessment (SHA). Offers data on statewide trends in mortality, disability, social determinants of health, mental health, and rural health. Includes rural-urban data comparisons for select topics.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Public Health
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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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