Socio-Ecological Framework Supporting Individuals with Disabilities' Community Living and Participation
| UT-Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, UCEDD/LEND | |||
| Program Type | UCEDD | Fiscal Year | 2020 |
| Contact | Jefferson Sheen, PhD | ||
| [email protected] | |||
| Phone | 435-797-8113 | ||
| Project Description | |||
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Goal The purpose of this research project will be to develop a socio-ecologic framework describing the physical environmental factors associated with individuals with disabilities community participation (intervention development research). This socio-ecologic framework will be used to examine the effect of mainstream community planning practices and policies on individuals with disabilities community participation (intervention efficacy research). Objectives The research and dissemination activities will progress from intervention development to efficacy research according to nine objectives: (1) Develop a computational model, using UrbanSim, of individuals with disabilities physical community environment context (housing, employment, services); (2) Develop a computational model of individuals with disabilities social networks and activities of daily community living; (3) Develop a computational model, using four-step demand forecasting, of individuals with disabilities community transportation context; (4) Construct a socio-ecologic framework describing the interdependent relationships between individuals with disabilities community environment context, transportation context, social networks, and activities of daily community living; (5) Identify current recommended community-scale planning best-practices and model policies (codes and ordinances) which support the community living and participation of individuals; (6) Using the socio-ecologic framework, examine these community-scale planning practices and policies effects on individuals with disabilities community participation and activities of daily community living (intervention efficacy research); (7) Develop and disseminate a socio-ecologic community infrastructure planning tool which may be implemented in mainstream community planning to support the community living and participation of individuals with disabilities; (8) Develop and disseminate validated community-scale planning practices and model policies (codes and ordinances) which may be implemented in mainstream community planning to support the community living and participation of individuals with disabilities; and (9) Integrate interdisciplinary academic and community collaborative opportunities to enhance awareness and promote meaningful application of a socio-ecologic understanding of the role community environment and transportation contexts play in individuals with disabilities community living and participation. Outcomes The project outcomes, including access to such a socio-ecologic community infrastructure planning tool, access to validated community-scale planning practices and model policies (codes and ordinances), and an increased understanding of the relationship between the physical community environment factors associated with individuals with disabilities community living and participation, will significantly and positively contribute toward opportunities for individuals with disabilities to more fully live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of society. Products The outcomes will be developed and disseminated as tools, practices, and policies which may be implemented in mainstream community planning to support the community living and participation of individuals with disabilities. |
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