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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

June Isaacson Kailes, MSW¹, Matthew Kehn, BA², Melinda Neri, BA², and Suzanne Groah, MD, MSPH². (1) Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions, Western University of Health Sciences, 6201 Ocean Front Walk, Suite 2, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, 310.821.7080, jik@pacbell.net, (2) National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20024

Objective: To develop a Preventive Services Resource Kit (PSRK) to be utilized by adults with physical disabilities when accessing primary preventive care and services.

Methods: A participatory action research (PAR) strategy was used to develop the PSRK and included conducting five focus groups of adults with physical disabilities (n=36), input from a Community Steering Committee (CSC) comprised of adults with physical disabilities, partnering with a local Independent Living Center (ILC), collaborating with disability organizations on an online consumer poll (n=613), and involving both consumers and professionals with physical disabilities in development and evaluation of the PSRK. Beta-testing involved a 9-month pre-post-intervention design with adults with physical disabilities (n=65). Intervention group participants received 3 monthly peer educator phone contacts.

Results: Findings from the focus groups indicated content and format preferences, such as screening checklists, tips to engage physicians, strategies on circumventing accessibility and stigma barriers, and preferences for a succinct, durable and portable product. Routine input from the ILC and consumer feedback from the online poll provided further information for product development. Beta-testing results indicated confirmed interest in the PSRK with emphasis on its mobility and compactness.

Conclusions: By utilizing PAR in the development of consumer-driven, disability-oriented resource materials, the end-users are able to have input in regards to the utility, format, content, style, and dissemination of the materials. Successful PAR strategies should include the involvement of community members, Independent Living Centers, consumers and professionals with disabilities, as well as disability-related organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the options necessary to incorporate PAR in the development of resource materials for people with disabilities
• To describe the development of resource materials on preventive services for people with disabilities

Keywords: Disability, Participatory Action Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation