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).
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is lasting brain damage from an injury that results from an external force (either blunt or penetrating). TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the US. People who experience a TBI may turn to resources and supports available from agencies within their state to help them fully participate... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on society at large. This is especially true for communities that have a longstanding history of marginalization, such as the Latinx community. During the pandemic, the Latinx community has experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infections and COVID-19-related deaths than non-... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Stroke (also called cerebrovascular accident) is a debilitating condition that can cause an array of physical and cognitive disabilities. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Prior research has demonstrated the benefits of exercise and increased physical... 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 car accident. A TBI can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on several factors including how long a person is unconscious, if they experience a coma, or if they have memory loss. People with moderate to severe TBI may... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Obesity is a national health concern in the US, where rates of obesity have increased by about 12% over the last 2 decades. Prior research has shown that obesity is closely related to the onset of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as premature death. Increased rates of... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Recent research has shown that psychiatric disorders have become a leading cause of disability among young adults (i.e., ages 18-30) and the most common reason for this population to collect Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. In particular, serious mental illness appears to be at its highest rate during this stage of... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is injury to the brain due to external or penetrating force. People with TBI may experience chronic pain and headaches, for which they may be prescribed opioid medication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the adverse effects of opioid overuse have become a public health... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
For people with disabilities, access to services supporting their ability to live independently at home and in the community positively affects their quality of life. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) play a key role in providing people with disabilities access to these supportive services. CIL services can include... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with mobility disabilities may need to use a wheelchair, part time or full time, to get around. For these wheelchair users, this equipment is of paramount importance for maintaining independence and maximizing quality of life. This is especially true for those that use wheelchairs as their primary means of functional... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Community participation is central to one’s quality of life. People with mobility disabilities may experience barriers or challenges to community participation. These can include physical factors such as the severity of disability and environmental factors such as home accessibility. These barriers can lead to participation... 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 #140D0421C0021). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this web site do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
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