This article examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on societal participation in people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This brief report presents a 24-month update from a survey of more than 2,600 direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live independently in the community. The survey finds that, while vaccination rates are increasing, participants report declines in physical and mental health.
This journal article from AJIDD reflects on implications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for research, policy, and practice through the lens of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Without question, people with IDD struggled as the COVID-19 pandemic began and as it has continued. Too many were isolated from friends and family for far too long. Too many were lonely and bored. Too many have not received the support they have needed during the pandemic. Far too many were denied treatment and far too many have died.
This article in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved discussed results from the National Survey on Health and Disability which asked a series of questions about the impacts of COVID-19 for disabled people including disruptions in PAS. The authors used data from an open-ended question “How did you manage without the help you needed in your home?” to bring light to both the importance of, and vulnerabilities associated with, receipt of PAS.
This article in the Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities examined online behaviors for adults with disabilities online engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic via analysis of data from a self-administered online survey by adults in the US with disabilities (N=409) on food access, school and work, health, and social activities. Online food access was common as 53.5% ordered groceries and 55.3% ordered meals. Of students, 96.0% attended class online. Of respondents who are currently working, 82.5% attended a meeting online.
This study published in the journal Disabilities examines the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with physical disabilities from marginalized communities in southeastern Michigan, one of the early pandemic epicenters in the United States. The study used semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 15 adults with moderate-to-severe disabilities. Three overarching themes emerged: fear, feelings of isolation, and a sense of being invisible. The article is available free in full text.
This full issue of Frontline Initiative is dedicated to stories by and for direct support professionals (DSPs) as they navigate longer hours, inadequate pay, grief stemming from the death of colleagues, and other fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Published in collaboration with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).
This research brief describes the result of a survey of Centers for Independent Living to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their ability to provide services to people transitioning from an institutional setting to living in the community.
This journal article describes a study to assess changes in access and psychological status during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). A survey of 51 participants found increased levels of psychological distress related to decreased access to goods and services in individuals with SCI due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This journal article describes a study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on travel behavior and community living for people with disabilities compared to their peers without disabilities.