Research In Focus is a weekly publication featuring reader-friendly summaries of the latest research from NIDILRR-funded projects. Each installment presents you with an overview of a recently-published NIDILRR-funded study, highlighting important findings, and discussing implications or directions for future research. This could be a starting point to learn more about the intervention, technology, or program. We hand-select the articles from our diverse library collections, aiming to broadly cover interesting research in many areas of disability, various types of intervention, and a wide range of age spectrum from early childhood to aging with and into disability. To be alerted to new articles, sign up for our weekly email newsletter News and Notes from the NIDILRR Community and Beyond! These articles are also available in Spanish. Are you a NIDILRR grantee? Learn how to recommend your recent study for an upcoming issue.
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with psychiatric disabilities have conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. These individuals may encounter stigmatizing attitudes or behaviors from people around them. Forms of such stigma may be overt, such as denying a job to a candidate with a psychiatric disability, or they may be less obvious... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with mobility disabilities may use public buses to travel to work, medical appointments, or recreational or social activities. Buses in the United States are required to be accessible to riders who use wheelchairs or scooters. Many of these buses are designed with a low vehicle floor and features that allow the driver to... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with mobility disabilities may use paratransit services to get around. Paratransit provides door-to-door or curb-to-curb (depending on transit agency) rides for people with disabilities, using wheelchair-accessible vans or mini-buses. While riding in these vehicles, it is important for all paratransit passengers to wear... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People who use wheelchairs for daily mobility may transfer in and out of their wheelchair up to 20 times per day. Frequent transfers can put stress on a person’s upper body over time. Previous research has shown that improper transfer techniques, such as placing the wheelchair at the wrong angle or not removing or dropping... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage anywhere along the spinal cord after an accident or other trauma. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, more than half of people with SCI have an “incomplete” injury, meaning that nerve pathways to control movement below the injury are still partially intact.... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
About 9.4 million Americans use a mobility device to get around. Mobility devices include walking aids such as crutches, canes, and walkers, as well as manual or battery-powered wheelchairs. Mobility devices can help people with mobility disabilities to participate in work, family, leisure, and... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Youth with disabilities are less likely to be physically active and likely to have higher rates of obesity than youth without disabilities, according to earlier research studies. Youth with disabilities may find it challenging to follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is lasting brain damage from an external force, such as a fall or a car accident. TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. Children with TBI may develop behavior problems, such as aggression or impulsivity. With support from therapists and trained professionals, parents... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
About 12,000 Americans develop a spinal cord injury (SCI) each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. An SCI is damage anywhere along the spinal cord after an accident or other trauma. People with SCI may lose movement or feeling in their arms and legs (tetraplegia... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with disabilities have lower employment rates than people without disabilities. According to the 2015 Disability Statistics Annual Report, only 34% of working-age Americans with disabilities were employed in 2014, compared with 75% of working-age Americans without disabilities. People with... Read this article
The contents of NARIC web site were developed under a contract from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (contract #140D0421C0021). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this web site do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
National Rehabilitation Information Center 8400 Corporate Drive, Suite 500 Landover, MD 20785
