News and Notes 511 May 11

birgitta.chaiken - Wed, 05/11/2022 - 12:10

In observance of Better Speech and Hearing Month as well as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month, NARIC presents research and resources from the NIDILRR community and elsewhere to support communication for people with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders in the Spotlight blog; NIDILRR releases report, Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Disabilities; This Just In... presents a study on the relationship between unmet need for home and community-based services and health and community living outcomes; Research in Focus explores how both employers and workers with disabilities are feeling the effects of COVID-19 on employment and earnings; the Rehabilitation Research and Training on Employment Policy Center For Disability-Inclusive Employment Policy Research (DIEP-RRTC) launches new podcast, Let's Get to Work: Reimaging Disability-Inclusive Employment Policy; research on wheeled mobility devices from Translating Transfer Training and Wheelchair Maintenance into Practice and the Assessment and Investigation of New Coverage Policies for Complex Rehabilitation Technology within a Contemporary Accountable Care Environment was featured in two segments on WBUR, Boston's National Public Radio station; the Great Lakes ADA Regional Center hosts webinar, Accessible Data Visualization: Addressing Barriers and Implementing Section 508 Solutions; the Southeast ADA Regional Center hosts webinar, Employment: Long Haulers and COVID; the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Information and Communication Technology Access for Mobile Rehabilitation (mRehab) seeks participants who are physical, occupational, or speech-language therapists for a survey on clinician perspectives on patient adherence to home exercise programs (HEPs); the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Insitutes of Health (NIH) host a national essay contest for teens, Speaking Up About Mental Health! This Is My Story.

Date sent: 
2022-05-11
NARIC news: 

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month as well as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month. How are these connected? ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. People with ALS may develop issues with speech and swallowing as the disease progresses. A speech therapist can help with exercises and therapy as speaking and swallowing become difficult. They can also help people with ALS find devices to help them communicate, learn how to use them every day, and make adjustment as needed down the road. Visit our Spotlight Blog for a quick look at some of the latest research and resources from the NIDILRR community and elsewhere to support communication for people with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.

This Just In: 
The relationship between unmet need for home and community-based services and health and community living outcomes. Disability and Health Journal, Volume 15(2), Pgs. 101222. NARIC Accession Number: J88656.
New to the NARIC collection, this NIDILRR-funded study assessed the prevalence of unmet need for home and community-based services (HCBS) in a multi-state sample of Medicaid HCBS users, and examined the association between unmet need for HCBS and key health and community living outcomes. Based on data from the 2017-2018 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey, the researchers looked at five domains: assistance with daily activities, assistive technology, home modifications, transportation, and sufficiency of services for meeting user needs and goals. The prevalence of unmet needs in those domains ranged from 21 percent (unmet need for assistance with self-care or other daily activities) to 54 percent (unmet need for assistive technology). Individuals who experienced unmet need had consistently worse health and community living outcomes than those who reported no unmet need. The findings suggest that unmet need for HCBS is significantly associated with poor health and community living outcomes among Medicaid users. Access the full abstract and ordering information in REHABDATA.
 
Research in Focus: 
Both Employers and Workers with Disabilities Are Feeling the Effects of COVID-19 on Employment and Earnings
This week's Research In Focus finds that both employers and workers with disabilities felt the effects of the early days of the pandemic, including changes in hours, wages, and business practices.
 
Resource Highlight: 
Podcast Series: Let's Get to Work
The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training on Employment Policy: Center For Disability-Inclusive Employment Policy Research (DIEP-RRTC) (90RTEM0006) launched their new podcast, Let's Get to Work: Reimagining Disability-Inclusive Employment Policy. The podcast features guests with unique knowledge and insights who share their perspective on public policies that are moving the momentum forward and holding progress back. Project researchers share what they are learning as part of their NIDILRR-funded work. Other guests from government and the business and disability communities share their perspectives on ways to translate the latest trends and thinking to advance workforce development and employment policy that produces sustainable economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities. Six episodes are currently available with topics including the future of work, competitive employment, overcoming barriers to employment, and more.
 
NIDILRR News and Events: 
New Report on Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Disabilities: Research Findings
NIDILRR released a report, Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Disabilities (PDF). The report highlights examples of key research findings on the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities as well as available resources from the NIDILRR grantee community. The report includes findings from studies focusing on specific groups that were particularly hard hit, such as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people from marginalized communities, and people with mental health disorders. The report also highlights findings and resources in specific areas of community engagement and participation, rural communities, education services, telehealth, and employment and return-to-work accommodations. Finally, the report identifies research gaps and opportunities for further research. View additional information and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic from the NIDILRR grantee community.
 
News items: 
Wheeled Mobility Research Featured on WBUR
Research from two NIDILRR-funded studies on wheeled mobility devices was featured in two segments on wheelchair breakdowns and a call for state legislation to protect wheelchair consumers on WBUR, Boston's National Public Radio station. Lynn Worobey, PhD, principal investigator for the project on Translating Transfer Training and Wheelchair Maintenance into Practice (90DPEG0014) discussed the connection between wheelchair breakdowns and adverse consequences, including findings that people of color and low income individuals experience more frequent breakdowns. She also discussed the study to teach people with spinal cord injuries how to conduct maintenance to reduce the risk of breakdowns. Mark Schmeler, PhD, principal investigator for the project Assessment and Investigation of New Coverage Policies for Complex Rehabilitation Technology Within a Contemporary Accountable Care Environment (90DP0078) discussed the role of Medicare and issues with the payment model for wheelchair maintenance.
 
Grantee event: 
Webinar: Accessible Data Visualization – Addressing Barriers and Implementing Section 508 Solutions
The NIDILRR-funded Great Lakes ADA Regional Center (90DPAD0012) will host a webinar, Accessible Data Visualization: Addressing Barriers and Implementing Section 508 Solutions, May 24th, 1 – 2:30 pm ET. Presenters will introduce the concept, development, tools, and benefits of data visualizations, including making them accessible. Presenters will review some barriers, solutions, and implications for making data visualization accessible. Continuing education credits are available upon request. Registration is free and required.
 
Webinar: Employment – Long Haulers and COVID
The NIDILRR-funded Southeast ADA Regional Center (90DPAD0005) will host a webinar, Employment: Long Haulers and COVID, May 25th, 2 – 3:30 pm ET. Presenters will explore the residual effects of having COVID-19, whether COVID long haulers meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition, and accommodations that may enable COVID long haulers to return to work. This webinar is the last of a three-part series on employment and the ADA. Attendance for the first two webinars is not required to attend this webinar. Registration is free and required.
 
Participate: 
Survey on Clinician Perspectives on Home Exercise Programs
The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Information and Communication Technology Access for Mobile Rehabilitation (mRehab) (90REGE0011) is conducting a survey on clinician perspectives on patient adherence to home exercise programs (HEPs). This survey is open to physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists serving all types of patients anywhere in the United States. The survey aims to understand patient adherence to HEPs and clinician strategies, which have become ever more important as remote therapeutic services and monitoring continue to expand along with innovation in clinical practice, supporting technologies, and reimbursement policy. The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and participants who complete the survey will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card. For more information or to receive a survey link, contact John Morris at john.morris@shepherd.org.
 
Elsewhere in the Community: 
NIH Mental Health Essay Contest for Teens
The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are hosting a national essay challenge, Speaking Up About Mental Health! This Is My Story. The contest aims to start conversations about mental health and encourage young people to seek help for mental health issues. Students in the US ages 16-18 are invited to submit a short essay. Topics may include resilience, ending stigma, and improving communication among peers and adults, among others. Multiple winners will be chosen to receive cash prizes. Essays must be submitted by May 24th.
 
Archive link: 
http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=654309&f=1190&s=26993&m=931995&t=635cba0a9267f719dd304fcd1ae764b160681b0bc4432192fe4b80b0dffecb7c