Oral

This session features four presentation on diverse and innovative topic related to the critical area of fostering independent living among people with disabilities, improving participation in society, and avoiding institutionalization. Two presentations describe novel approaches to empower women with various disabilities to become active participants in their healthcare, another reviews the literature on electronic technologies that increase independence and reduce the likelihood of institutionalization among people with cognitive disabilities, and the final presentation assesses independent living services provided to people with disabilities in terms of improving community participation.

Session Objectives: Identify promising methods of empowering people with disabilities to take charge of their own healthcare. List services and technologies that show promise in improving independence and community participation among people with various disabilities.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)