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 have conditions like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder. People with serious mental illness may encounter stigma or discrimination which may limit their participation in their communities. However, getting involved in community activities such as work or... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Adults with disabilities may have difficulty participating in social activities. Challenges such as a lack of accessible transportation, health limitations, and discrimination can make it harder for adults with disabilities to connect and build relationships with others in their communities. This may lead to feelings of... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) can play an important role in helping people with disabilities to find and keep jobs. VR agencies provide an array of individualized employment services, such as job coaching, job-search assistance, training, and assistive technology. However, past research has found that less than half of people... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Law enforcement personnel, such as police officers and detectives, may come into contact and interact with people with disabilities. These interactions may occur if a person with a disability is a victim of a crime, if they witness a crime, or if they are suspected of criminal behavior. Sometimes, these interactions can be... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Many older adults may have disabilities that can make it difficult to care for themselves and their homes. These individuals may hire home healthcare providers to assist them with personal activities such as bathing, moving into and out of a wheelchair, and managing medications. They also may need assistance with household... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) have conditions like schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder. Many adults with SMI are parents. Parenting can be a valuable, rewarding part of family life for people with SMI. However, parents with SMI may face a variety of challenges. Studies have shown that parents with SMI... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in children. CP is caused by brain damage early in life that affects muscle coordination. People with CP may have lifelong challenges with movement, communication, and health. Up to half of people with CP also have other disabilities such as intellectual disability (ID... 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 trauma. An SCI can occur in the upper part of the spine (a cervical injury) or in the lower part of the spine (a non-cervical injury), with cervical injuries having more severe impacts on mobility. Medical improvements have made it possible for more people... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 1 in 59 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disability that affects how people communicate and process information. About 30% of people with ASD have little or no functional speech. These individuals may benefit from using... Read this article
A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) have lifelong disabilities originating before the age of 18 and may result from known causes, such as autism or cerebral palsy, or from unknown causes. They often require supports and services to live and work in their communities. Adults with IDD may attend day or... 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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