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 (SMI) have conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. These individuals may use mental health services, such as medications or case management, that are funded by community mental health systems. Traditionally, consumers can only choose from the services 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. TBI is especially common during adolescence, with about 300,000 youth hospitalized each year in the US for a TBI, according to the National Electronic Injury... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Youths who become involved with the criminal justice system may face many barriers to completing their education and finding employment. According to recent research, an estimated 50-70% of these youths have a mental health disorder such as bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or substance... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with psychiatric disabilities have low employment rates, even when compared to people with other types of disabilities, according to recent research. Individuals with psychiatric disabilities who do find jobs tend to be paid less, switch jobs more often, or have longer gaps between jobs than individuals without... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Up to 1 in 59 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children with ASD may have difficulties learning to read, due to challenges with language processing. Learning to visually recognize common words, or “sight words,” is an important skill for all... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Women with physical disabilities are about as likely to become mothers as similar-aged women without disabilities. Mothers with physical disabilities may need to use adaptations in order to care for their young children. For example, they may use assistive technology or adaptations in technique or equipment in order to... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Autism is a developmental disability that affects how people communicate and process information. Children with autism may need specialized services to help them learn to express themselves, regulate their emotions, and master independent living skills. Families of children with autism may find it challenging and... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
About 4.1 million Americans with disabilities are parenting children under age 18, according to the National Center for Parents with Disabilities. Parents with disabilities and their children may encounter misconceptions or negative attitudes such as stigma from members of the public. In particular, some people may... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with serious mental illnesses have conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia that are associated with decreased participation in everyday activities. Past studies have found that about 5% of adults in the United States experience a serious mental illness at some point in their lives.... 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 from an accident or other trauma. People with SCI may have partial or total paralysis, especially in their leg muscles. Robotic exoskeletons are wearable devices that provide hip and knee motion with an external power source, allowing the user to stand... 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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