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 serious mental illness may have conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. Past research has found that people with these disorders have higher rates of a variety of chronic health conditions than the general population. They may have difficulty managing physical health conditions or... 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. Although some people with disabilities receive job supports from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or other agencies, many people with disabilities may negotiate job tasks and accommodations on their own. Job crafting is an informal process of... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Mobile health (mHealth) apps are health-related apps that people can use on a smart phone or tablet to manage their own health. Examples may include exercise or fitness apps, nutrition trackers, apps for meditation and stress relief, or apps to connect patients with their doctors between visits. mHealth apps have been gaining... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
About half a million Americans are treated for burn injuries each year. A burn injury may result from a fire or contact with electricity, chemicals, or hot liquids. People with burn injuries may experience long-term disabilities that may affect their community integration; specifically, their participation in work, social, and... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with disabilities have long faced challenges in accessing the built environment, including public buildings, sidewalks, and public transportation. Barriers such as stairs without ramps, uneven sidewalks, high curbs without curb ramps, a lack of crosswalks, or inaccessible traffic signals may make it difficult for people... Read this article
A severe brain injury may be caused by an accident or other trauma (traumatic brain injury) or a non-traumatic event such as a stroke or aneurysm. People may lose consciousness for days or weeks after a severe brain injury. When emerging from an unconscious or comatose state, many individuals may first enter a vegetative state, also known as Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS), where their eyes are open, but they show no signs of conscious awareness. Then, they may gradually show signs... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) have lifelong disabilities originating before the age of 18 which may result from known causes, such as autism or cerebral palsy, or from unknown causes. They often require supports and services to live and work in their communities. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs... 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. After a TBI, people may experience a variety of disabilities. Some people may develop visual impairments after a TBI. Research has shown that both people with TBI and people with visual impairments are employed at... 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. After a TBI, people may have difficulty participating in social activities or maintaining relationships. Social Internet sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Web-based forums have... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
For people who were incarcerated, employment may help foster stability and security, and may lower the risk of re-offending once they return to the community. However, ex-offenders with disabilities may encounter a variety of challenges when looking for well-paying employment after leaving the correctional system. In addition... 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 #GS-06F-0726Z). However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the NIDILRR, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government
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