Northern Arizona Disability Needs Assessment: Post COVID-19 (NADNA)
Project Description:
The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the disability population in ways that are not yet fully understood. It is estimated that more people will be diagnosed with health-related disabilities connected to post-COVID-19 symptoms, increasing the strain on disability networks that provide services to the disability population. Like other minoritized groups, individuals with disabilities experienced an exacerbation of inequalities in health and home environments (e.g., disruptions in community support networks) during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing many setbacks which may have long-term impacts for individuals with disabilities. While there may be evidence that the needs of the disability population have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these needs are not well defined. A better understanding of the changing needs of the disability population post-COVID-19 is needed to help inform future training of public health professionals who work with this population. By describing the current and changing needs of the disability population at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the current needs of the population, there is an opportunity to better understand how public health professionals should respond to these disasters to prevent or reduce disproportional impacts on individuals with disabilities.
The purpose of this project is to understand the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities after the COVID-19 pandemic to inform training of public health officials through a better understanding of the changing needs of the disability population post-COVID-19. A comprehensive report of the impact of COVID-19 on the disability community has yet to be conducted in the Northern Arizona region. Northern Arizona comprises of Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai counties. Northern Arizona includes a large American Indian population including the Navajo and Hopi tribes. The Northern Arizona region is also rural and geographically diverse. This proposed project will include a document review, a series of interviews and focus groups with various participants (family members to those with disabilities, self-advocates, disability service providers, and American Indian Family members to those with disabilities).
Keyword(s):
needs assessment, rural, COVID-19
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
