People with disabilities (PWD) are 50% more likely to smoke compared with the general population, yet interventions tailored to the needs of PWD remain limited. The authors surveyed directors from a leading disability service organization to assess their delivery of tobacco cessation interventions. Although tobacco cessation was identified as a…

The author compares current employment status after spinal cord injury between participants who were independent in ambulation (required no assistance from others) and those who were dependent in ambulation (required assistance from at least one other person to ambulate). Those who were independent of assistance from others in ambulation were…

This study examined future concerns conveyed by adult siblings who provided regular caregiving support to their brothers and sisters with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The authors surveyed a national sample of 280 adult siblings of persons with TBI. Using a constant comparative approach to text analysis, the authors analyzed responses to the…

Develops a heuristic model of independence and discusses it in reference to a hierarchy of fundamental human needs. Four major components of the model (perceived control of one's life, physical functioning, psychological self-reliance, and environmental resources) are identified and the relationships among them are explored. The model is then…

Surveyed 163 independent living programs in 1986 and 189 programs in 1988, examining characteristics of staff and their training, board of directors, funding, service delivery, and consumers. Resulting profile of typical independent living program preserved characteristics of original model: consumer control, wide range of services, service…

Surveyed independent living centers (N=74) to identify prevalence and functions of support and self-help groups for people with disabilities. Results suggest that independent living center staff refer a significant number of consumers to self-help groups and that independent living centers sponsor a variety of such groups. (Author/ABL)

Examined effects on funding of standardizing the independent living center model. Findings from 55 Independent Living Programs that had complete funding diversity indexes and 58 that had designated their total budgets revealed that more programs tended to become compliant over time, but funding also became more diverse over time regardless of…

Examined psychosocial functioning and transition to adult status following adolescent closed head injury. Used case study approach to describe changes in functioning following discharge and return to family and school from perspective of injured individual and primary caregiver. Found dependence in many areas of adult functioning, underscoring…

Examined effects of a slide presentation prepared by an independent living center to members (N=135) of civic, fraternal, and human service organizations. Determined slide presentation appeared to significantly affect both attitudes toward people with disabilities and knowledge about the center's services. (Author/ABL)

Developed Personal Independence Profile (PIP) as an instrument to measure aspects of independence beyond physical and cognitive functioning in people with diverse disabilities. PIP was tested for reliability and validity with 185 subjects from 10 independent living centers. Findings suggest that the Personal Independence Profile measures the…

Surveyed national sample of 307 professionals in relevant fields to obtain professional opinion on critical competencies necessary for deaf individuals to live and work successfully in the community. Findings identified 12 critical skills in employment and 10 critical skills in independent living. (Author/NB)

Examines the transition achievement of deaf persons 3 or 4 years out of high school (n=308). Ten independent variables were used to predict 2 dichotomous dependent variables: engagement with community (56%), and residential status (52% living independently). Results are presented for each dependent variable. (JPS)

Examined relationship between personal assistance and level of productivity, using sample of 30 Japanese adults with severe physical disabilities. Found that married individuals who used nonfamily, paid assistants were among most satisfied; and married, older, and less educated individuals were among most productive. (Author/NB)