Other Current Projects
RTC:Rural has secured additional grant funding for research projects outside the scope of the RTC grants. These projects produce vital exploration, analysis, and training on specific topic areas related to rural disability.
Interventions to increase community participation
The Rural Institute is partnering with the Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL) Center to study two complementary interventions: the Home Usability Program and Out and About. The project is partnering with four centers for independent Living.
The Home Usability Program teaches individuals with disabilities to self-assess and improve the usability of their homes. Previous research shows that people with disabilities who have more usable homes (accessible bathrooms, for example) are more likely to participate in their communities because they expend less energy in daily self-care, thus freeing up more time for other activities.
Out and About, the other intervention, teaches participants to set goals for community participation and solve problems related to barriers in the community, such as inaccessible transportation or lack of access to health care. Out and About also builds social networks by using peer support in the pursuit of participants’ goals.
Website: Research and Training Center on Independent Living
Email: Lillie Greiman (Lillie.Greiman@mso.umt.edu)
Phone: (406) 243-6102
Independent living workshops focused on health and community living skills
Healthy Community Living is a multi-media health promotion and independent living program to improve health and well-being. It provides support, education, and skill-building opportunities for people with disabilities to reach personal goals. Three separate curricula blend in-person program delivery with online social engagement and website materials.
Website: Healthy Community Living
Developing peer-to-peer training to support independent living in rural areas
The Rural Community Living Development project partners with the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) to develop and implement peer-to-peer training for Centers for Independent Living (CIL) staff about engaging in community development activities in rural areas to support people with disabilities living independently in their communities. NIDILRR-funded community living resources will be utilized and promoted as well.
Email: Rayna Sage (Rayna.Sage@mso.umt.edu)
Phone: (406) 243-5233
Working with community-based agencies to build social networks
Project Connect is developing a curriculum to help people with disabilities build social networks. The project aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation increases health risks and has been made more severe by the COVID-19 pandemic. Project Connect is partnering with the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) and five Centers for Independent Living to create a multi-media curriculum.
Email: Rayna Sage (Rayna.Sage@mso.umt.edu)
Phone: (406) 243-5233