Report/Research Brief

This policy brief summarizes the results of a national survey conducted by RTC-CL of nearly 9,000 direct support professionals (DSPs) providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The takeaways are fear of COVID-19 infection among DSPs and the people they support, low wages, high turnover and vacancy rates, and significant wage differences between Black DSPs and their white counterparts.

This research brief uses data from the PULSE survey collected between January and March 2021 to gauge rates of vaccination and vaccine hesitancy among people of working age who receive Social Security benefits (retirement, disability, or survivors), Supplemental Security Income benefits, or Medicare benefits.

The aim of this study was to gather evidence about the experiences of the direct support workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and to inform efforts to better prepare for future waves of this pandemic. This report was also supported by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

The aim of this study was to gather evidence about the experiences of the direct support workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and to inform efforts to better prepare for future waves of this pandemic. This is a six-month follow-up to the initial report published in fall of 2020.

This research brief explores how people with disabilities are experiencing COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the United States. Many people with disabilities are at higher risk of both contracting COVID-19 and experiencing sever outcomes. Despite this, disability status is not typically included in COVID-19 case reports and most state vaccination plans have not considered disability status as a risk factor,

This paper compared data from two cross-sectional samples collected before and after the first wave of “stay-at-home” orders to learn more about how COVID-19 and related responses (i.e. stay-at-home orders) may contribute to feelings of social isolation and loneliness among people with disabilities. Social isolation and loneliness are a public health concern because they are associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes and mortality. Post-COVID rural and urban samples reported significantly more interactions with family and close friends.

This brief reports on a survey of people with disabilities to gauge their access to, knowledge of, and interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, 19% of our sample of people with disabilities reported already being vaccinated, 56% wanted to get vaccinated, 10% were unsure, and 15% did not want to be vaccinated. Rural residents with disabilities reported higher rates of current vaccination, but higher rates of overall hesitancy, and more barriers to vaccination than urban residents with disabilities.

This report highlights current use of telemental health services (mental health services provided by phone or Internet), specific mental health disorders being reported and treated using telemental services during the pandemic, comorbid mental health concerns among individuals with other disabilities, and accessibility to telemental health services.

This research brief explores trends in unemployment for people with disabilities before and during the ongoing recession. While temporary unemployment has gone down for some, it may be becoming permanent for others.

This research brief uses map data to explore the growing strain on healthcare in rural communities that have a disproportionate share of those living with disability, advanced age, and health complications, and those living in congregate settings.