September is National Recovery Month. Relationships of self-reported opioid and benzodiazepine use with health-related quality of life among adults with SCI. Connection Counts Microtraining. Cantor Award. nTIDE Employment Report. Webinar: Accessible Event Planning. Webinar: Employment Services and Outcomes for Foster Youth with Disabilities. National Recovery Month Toolkit.
NARIC News:
September is National Recovery Month, recognizing the many pathways people take to overcome substance and alcohol use disorders. Many people with disabilities live with chronic pain that interferes with daily living, and may face challenges in balancing pain management and use of opioids and other substances that may be addictive. In addition, people with alcohol or substance use disorders may themselves be considered as having a disability, with rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We explored some of the current NIDILRR-funded projects working in the area of substance use and recovery, and the resources they have developed to support this community in our spotlight blog.
This Just In:
Relationships of self-reported opioid and benzodiazepine use with health-related quality of life among adults with spinal cord injury. Disability and Health Journal, Volume 18(101668) NARIC Accession Number: J94372.
New to the NARIC collection, this NIDILRR-funded study examined the relationships between self-reported prescription opioid and benzodiazepine use and two indicators of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), number of days of poor physical health and number of poor mental health days within the last month, among adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Analysis of nearly 2,000 self-reports showed both opioid and benzodiazepine use were associated with a greater number of days in poor physical health and poor mental health in the past month. After controlling for certain health conditions, opioid use was associated with 2.04 additional poor physical health days in the past 30 days, and benzodiazepine use was associated with 2.18 additional days of poor mental health. Age was associated with a greater number of poor physical health days and fewer poor mental health days. Lower income was associated with poor mental health days. Most of the health conditions were significantly related to the number of poor physical and mental health days. Findings indicate that both opioid and benzodiazepine use are significantly associated with negative health outcomes above and beyond the effects of demographic, SCI, socioeconomic, and health status. Access the full abstract and ordering information in REHABDATA.
Resource Highlight:
Microtraining: Connection Counts - Addressing Loneliness Through Participation
The NIDILRR-funded projects Temple University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (90RTCP0008) and Being Needed: Building Social Connections that Matter to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness (90DPCP0011) released a new microtraining, Connection Counts: Addressing Loneliness Through Participation. The microtraining explores the connection between community participation, acceptance, and loneliness, and offers practical strategies for providers, peer specialists, and individuals to identify and build connections to welcoming places.
News from the NIDILRR Community:
NIDILRR Researcher Receives Cantor Award
Monique Pappadis, PhD, from the NIDILRR-funded TIRR Memorial Hermann/Baylor College of Medicine/UT Health Collaborative Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model System Center (90DPTB0025), received the 2026 Joshua B. Cantor Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group. The award, named for a Model Systems investigator, recognizes individuals who have made solid contributions to the field of brain injury rehabilitation and whose research demonstrates soundness and creativity in research design or intervention content. Dr. Pappadis' research includes advancing access to care among people with TBI and stroke and improving transitions following acute and post-acute care. The NARIC collection includes nearly 40 publications from Dr. Pappadis, most produced as part of a NIDILRR-funded project.
nTIDE: Disability Employment Ties Record High
The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC) (90RTGE0005) released the September National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Report, finding that more Americans with disabilities were working in August, tying the record high reached in November 2025. The report, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Jobs Report and nTIDE analysis, shows the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from July to August, suggesting job seekers are finding work. The full report and discussion are available online.
Events:
Webcast: Employment Services and Outcomes for Young Adults with Disabilities with Foster Care Experience
The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Among Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities (90RTEM0014) will host a webcast, Employment Services and Outcomes for Young Adults with Disabilities with Foster Care Experience, September 24th, 2 - 2:45 pm ET. Presenters will provide a progress update on research supporting foster youth with disabilities as they transition to employment and the development of interventions based on their needs and experiences. Registration is free and required.
Webinar: Planning Accessible Events - Building Accessibility into Every Stage
The NIDILRR-funded Mid-Atlantic ADA Regional Center (90DPAD0008) will host a webinar, Planning Accessible Events: Building Accessibility into Every Stage, September 30th, 2 - 3 pm ET. Presenters will explore how to thoughtfully incorporate accessibility into every stage of planning an event. Presenters will provide tools and considerations to help make accessibility an intentional part of the process, from planning small meetings to holding large conferences and stadium events. Registration is free and required.
Elsewhere in the Community:
SAMHSA Releases National Recovery Month Toolkit
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a full digital toolkit to help organizations and communities recognize National Recovery Month. The toolkit includes social media sharables, stickers, and virtual backgrounds; themes for each week; a schedule of featured webinars; and guidance on using hashtags and tagging SAMHSA. The kit also includes media for Labor Day, Suicide Prevention Day, and National Gratitude Day.