PURPOSE: This project investigated the psychosocial benefits of scuba diving for individuals with acquired physical impairments. METHOD: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 3 volunteers recruited from a diving club specializing in training people with disabilities to dive. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the data in order to identify the themes recurring in the […]
Abstract Topics: Program Evaluation
The Veterans Affairs Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT): design and methodology.
BACKGROUND: Visual impairment is a major public health problem. Vision rehabilitation programs have the potential to restore independence and improve quality of life for persons with permanent vision loss, and few have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials. PURPOSE: The Veterans Affairs (VA) Low Vision Intervention Trial is a multicenter randomized clinical trial to evaluate […]
Improving the health and health behaviors of women aging with physical disabilities: A peer-led health promotion program.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a health promotion program for women aging with physical disabilities. METHOD: A sample of 137 middle-aged and older women with physical disabilities was randomly assigned to either an 8-week health promotion program or to a wait-list control group. Both groups completed questionnaires before, immediately after, and 3 months after […]
A participatory program evaluation of a systems change program to improve access to information technology by people with disabilities.
PURPOSE: To pilot-test and evaluate an innovative program providing information technology (IT) access to people with disabilities transitioning out of nursing homes into the community using a participatory approach. METHODS: Pre- and post-training data was collected on the 61 program participants to reflect three broad areas related to the IT training experience: performance; self-efficacy; importance, […]
Health promotion for people with disabilities: development and evaluation of the Living Well with a Disability program.
People with disabilities can benefit from health promotion opportunities to reduce the incidence and severity of secondary conditions that further limit their participation in society. This paper describes participatory action research (PAR) methods we used to develop, implement and evaluate the Living Well with a Disability program. Community-based agencies that provide information and referral services […]
Evaluation of a community-based group fitness program for children with disabilities.
PURPOSE: This study examined the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a community-based group fitness program for children with disabilities. METHODS: Twenty-eight children with neuromuscular and developmental disabilities, 6 to 14 years of age, participated. The 16-week community-based program, held twice weekly, consisted of strengthening, aerobic conditioning, and flexibility exercises. A pretest-posttest design was used, and […]
The effect of an oral health promotion program for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Oral health programs for people with psychiatric disabilities are rare. This study examined the feasibility efficacy of an oral health intervention for people with psychiatric disabilities. Fifty individuals were recruited and randomly assigned to receive education, reminder system and mechanical toothbrush or just the mechanical toothbrush. 42 completed the study. Plaque index scores recorded at […]
Bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities: a combined randomized controlled trial and qualitative study of two community-based interventions.
BACKGROUND: Bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities are known to experience prolonged and atypical grief which is often unrecognized. The aim of this project was to find an effective way to improve mental health and behavioural outcomes. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to two different therapeutic interventions: traditional counselling by volunteer bereavement counsellors, and an integrated intervention […]
Promoting friendship through best buddies: a national survey of college program participants.
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through one-to-one friendships with individuals without disabilities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Best Buddies College Program participants located within the United States. Survey findings suggest that college students and people with intellectual disabilities benefited from participation […]
An evaluation of the “Youth en Route” program.
Youth En Route (YER) is a transition program for youth and young adults with multiple disabilities. It offers a multifaceted approach that includes self-discovery, skill development, and community experience. Underlying the service delivery model is a philosophy of self-determination. This program evaluation measured the self-determination skills, sense of personal control over life choices, and community […]