Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons^™

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Can I Pet Your Eyes?, Ed Worrell, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The author shares the most common questions he is asked when working with his dog guide, Helen.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: What Just Happened? Audio Description Can Answer That, Sara Streeter, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Sara Streeter discusses the importance of audio description for people with vision loss when watching a movie or play.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: I Run My Own Iep; You Can Too!, Heath Montgomery, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting is an opportunity to meet with the school team to build rapport, express appreciation, brainstorm ideas, and more. This conversation with teachers, school therapists, and parents might be just as important as what ends up in the actual document if it builds respect for you as a self-advocate.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Planning For Crisis – Benefits Of A Family Safety Plan, Elizabeth Cummings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Crisis can be a part of many families’ experiences, including those with a loved one with special needs. It can be hard to talk about, and too often a source of shame or stigma. Like many other families, mine has experienced a crisis, so I understand the challenges as well as the need to discuss the subject. The hard part is knowing where to start.

America At A Glance: An Update On Rural-Urban Difference In Disability Rates, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

For this report we analyzed the most recent disability data from the American Community Survey (ACS 5-year estimates 2015-2019) to examine what has changed over the last decade. Our key findings are:

• The disability disparity between rural and urban persists, with higher rates of disability in rural counties
• Rates of disability across rural and urban have increased slightly
• Rates of disability are higher in rural counties across disability type, age, race, and ethnicity

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Diabetes, Tech And A Series Of Beeps, Ed Worrell, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The author shares the daily technology he uses for diabetes management.

Is Teaching Skills For Independent Living To Disabled Adults Associated With Change In Self-Determination?, Craig Ravesloot Ph.D., Tannis Mardece Hargrove, Tracy Boehm Barrett, Krys Standley, Mary Willard, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of teaching people with disabilities independent living skills on the basic human needs specified in Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Nine Centers for Independent Living (CILs) recruited 160 disabled adults with disabilities to participate in weekly group sessions to go through the Community Living Skills curriculum (CLS). The CLS curriculum includes 10 sessions that cover basic independent living skills. Groups of participants met weekly to go through the curriculum with a CIL staff member trained in workshop facilitation. We used the Basic Needs Satisfaction General Scale (Gagne, 2003) to …

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Rediscovering Museums With Tactile Tours, Sara Streeter, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

A tactile tour is just what it sounds like—a tour that gives a visually impaired patron an opportunity to touch museum exhibits themselves or small models of some of the items on display. This Montana Voices Amplified submission shares tactile tour tips.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Old Tv Static: Finding ‘My Way’ Through Medical Trauma, Bee Croyle, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

“The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of high school, I went to camp in Oregon. Halfway through my week there, my legs stopped working. It happened slowly at first, the feeling of old TV static climbing up my legs till I was in a wheelchair. Then came the pain.” This issue of Montana Voices Amplified shares the author’s tips on managing medical trauma.

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent’S Perspective: Plexiglass Butterflies – Lessons Learned At The Children’S Hospital, Elizabeth Hill, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

I used to be offended when someone would comment innocently, “I don’t know how you do it.” “It” being raising a child with special needs. Now, with a few more years of wisdom and empathy under my belt, I recognize the meaning and message behind their words.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Help Me Pick Up What You’Re Putting Down. Accessible Communication For The Blind / Low Vision Community, Ed Worrell, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Here are four simple ways to make sure text messages, emails, and other digital communications are accessible to people with visual impairments.

Montana Voices Amplified: You Can’T Pour From An Empty Cup, Mathalia Stroethoff, Jan Stroethoff, Carol Lode, Elizabeth Cummings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

In these times of stay-at-home orders, physical distancing, and remote teaching and learning, we need to nurture ourselves. In this issue of Montana Voices Amplified, members of the Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council share the strategies they use to reinvigorate and replenish themselves. Maybe you can use these strategies to “fill your cup” too!

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent’S Perspective: Take It From Your New Bestie, You Can’T Do Everything, Elizabeth Hill, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

How can families address all the needs of their special needs child(ren) and typically developing child(ren)? As human beings and as parents, it is physically, emotionally, and logistically impossible to meet every need of each member of your family. But, here are some suggestions.

America At A Glance: 5310 & 5311 Transportation Funding In Rural Counties, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The United States Federal Transit Administration (FTA) maintains two programs designed to support transportation for people with disabilities and rural communities. The FTA’s Elderly and Persons with Disabilities program (§5310) provides federal funding to states to assist in meeting the transportation needs of older adults (65+) and people with disabilities. The Formula Grants for Rural Areas program (§5311) provides funding for public transportation to rural areas with populations less than 50,000. Although 16% of Americans with disabilities and older adults live in rural counties, these counties only receive 5% of available funding for providing them with transportation (§5310), and 49% …

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent’S Perspective: How I Am Successfully Homeschooling My Child, Tracy Gulledge Street, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The COVID-19 pandemic has people considering homeschooling; here are five things to consider if you are homeschooling your child.

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent Teacher’S Perspective: Exploring Disability And Navigating A New World, Elizabeth Cummings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

I found myself unexpectedly entering the world of disability 13 years ago when my oldest son, Charlie, was born with complex health and developmental challenges. Later diagnosed with autism and a genetic disorder, Charlie led me through the new worlds of early intervention, case management, children’s hospitals, and intervention plans. As Charlie grew older, I shifted my professional focus to special education, hoping others in my community might benefit from the skills I am learning in raising a child of my own with special needs. I want to share with you a few of the amazing students I have the …

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent’S Perspective: How To Advocate Without Alienating Team Members, Elizabeth Hill, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

How do you advocate for someone without alienating the teachers, therapists and administrators on your child’s team? Here are five steps that facilitate positive school team experiences.

Montana Voices Amplified: A Parent’S Perspective: Navigating Face Coverings, Elizabeth Cummings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Everyone is talking about masks. As the research on their effectiveness as a tool to battle the COVID-19 pandemic grows, so does the list of places requiring them. Montana recently joined the states with a mask mandate, perhaps raising questions for many families with an individual with a disability. I am a parent of a child with complex special needs and have had these thoughts going through my mind over the last months as well. Could my son Charlie ever wear a mask? How would I teach him? What does the new normal mean for my unique family?

America At A Glance: How Do Working-Age Adults With Travel-Limiting Disabilities Get Around?, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Using data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, this research brief explores travel behaviors and characteristics of rural and urban people with disabilities. Summary findings: Rural people report a slightly higher rate of travel-related disability, and are also more likely to report being a driver. Urban people with disabilities are more likely to use other transportation options, like special transit services, reduced-fare taxi, or public transit. Overall, people with disabilities who are drivers report higher rates of employment and lower rates of poor health.

Least Restrictive Approaches To Supporting Individuals As Decision Makers, University Of Montana Rural Institute For Inclusive Communities

Independent Living and Community Participation

Too often full guardianship is the default option for individuals who need assistance with decision-making, which is very restrictive. There are alternative approaches to guardianship that are flexible and can adapt to the changing needs an individual may experience. This fact sheet shares some alternative approaches to guardianship, defines guardianship, addresses myths about decision-making supports, and provides links to guardianship and decision-making resources for further information.

Life Starts At Home: Exploring How Housing Impacts Participation For People With Disabilities, Rtc: Rural, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Modern perspectives of disability focus on the impact of the environment on the participation and independence of people with disabilities. The interaction between a person and their surroundings can either support or inhibit their functional needs to live independently and participate in the community (World Health Organization). RTC:Rural research on housing and ecology indicates that increasing the availability of accessible and usable housing is a significant step toward building greater community participation and independent living for all. Accessibility and usability issues within the home can present barriers to daily living that negatively impact an individual’s ability to participate in their …

Stephen Hawking As Accidental Ambassador For Assistive Technologies, Martin E. Blair

Independent Living and Community Participation

An article about Stephen Hawking and his "role as a “spokesmodel” for the use of assistive technologies."

Note that the video embedded in the original article can be found on YouTube.

Data Limitations In The American Community Survey: The Impact On Rural Disability Research, Lillie Greiman, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The American Community Survey (ACS) provides disability data across a wide range of variables and geographies. In fact, the ACS provides county-level disability data for variables such as gender, race, veteran status, poverty status and employment for people with disabilities. This is beneficial to rural disability researchers as rural is most commonly classified at the county level. However, though the ACS is a rich and comprehensive data source it is not without limitations. Rural researchers in particular are acutely aware of these limitations. The ACS provides data estimates for disability in rural counties but because of the survey design these …

Prevalence Of Disability: Individual And Household Context, Christiane Von Reichert, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a widely used source of disability data. These data put individual disability rates in the US at 12% -13%, or 1 in 8. However, by considering the household context, the impact of disability is considerably greater than disability data for individuals would suggest. At the household level, disability affects approximately 78 million people, or 25% of the U.S. population. This analysis shows that millions of Americans without disabilities are influenced by household member with disabilities, highlighting that the impact of disability at the household level goes beyond the number of individuals with disabilities.

Transportation And Geographical Challenges, Martin E. Blair, C. Feeley, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The Policy Summit: Innovations in Adult Programming, sponsored by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) brought together experts from across the United States who specialize in programs and policy development and implementation for adults with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, other developmental disabilities, and mental health diagnoses. The purpose of this presentation was to discuss ways to address transportation and geographical challenges faced by policy and decision-makers to generate new ideas in Pennsylvania.

Significant Data Limitations Prevent An Accurate Analysis Of The Distribution Of Cils: Recommendations For Change, Lillie Greiman, Tom Seekins, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

This data brief provides a summary of recommendations for using Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze the distribution of Centers for Independent Living across the U.S. for improved program policy and decision-making.

The Geography Of Disability In America: On Rural-Urban Differences In Impairment Rates, Christiane Von Reichert, Lillie Greiman, Andrew Myers, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

How do disability rates vary across the United States and between rural and urban areas? For over a decade, this question could not be answered with current public data. In December 2013, however, the US Census Bureau released the 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) summary data. These data represent the first opportunity since the 2000 Census to answer questions about disability prevalence for the entire nation, and rural and urban geographies. These data can help inform critical disability policy decisions as well as guide future research. The ACS does not directly measure disability. Rather, it evaluates disability in terms of …

Map Facts: Disability In Rural America, Tom Seekins Ph.D., Lillie Greiman, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Newly released data on disability in America show that the prevalence of impairments leading to disability is significantly higher in non-metropolitan counties (16.5%) than in metropolitan counties (13.4%). The U.S. Census Bureau recently updated the data about disability in small rural areas. This report provides a new glimpse at the heart of rural America for the first time in 13 years. These data fill a gap that has left policy makers and program planners in the dark and has meant that many decisions were made without adequate understanding of the demographics of rural people with disabilities. For example, it is …

What Is Unavailable, Insufficient, Or Inappropriate Transportation?, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

In 1970—more than 40 years ago—the Urban Mass Transportation Act created a national policy to promote universally accessible transportation. PL 91-453, stated it as clearly as possible: “elderly and handicapped” persons have the same right as other persons to use mass transportation facilities and service. The law required that “special efforts shall be made in the planning and design of mass transportation facilities and services so that the availability to elderly and handicapped persons of mass transportation which they can effectively utilize will be assured.” Today, over 98% of the vehicles used to provide mass transportation are wheelchair accessible. In …

Disability And Rehabilitation In Rural America: A Synopsis Of The State Of The Science 2012, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities at the University of Montana conducted a state-of-the-science conference on the status of rural disability and rehabilitation from April 17- 20, 2012. The conference was conducted over the Internet, making it accessible for many who might not otherwise have been able to participate. A total of 179 participants in 45 states participated over the four days. Four nationally-acclaimed leaders in rural policy and practice addressed the question, “How do rural community; rural economic development and employment; and rural health overlap with disability and rehabilitation?” Each keynote speaker described his or …