Engaging Communities to Improve Access in Rural AreasBy Rochelle H Jewell, BA

The Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) at the Institute on Disability / UCEDPurpose: To study the ability of the CEI method to identify and address barriers to accessing health care and recreation experienced by people with disabilities.Process: Utilize Knowledge Translation process and tools to determine how much help communities need to implement CEI. Detailed user manual guides leaders to implement CEI in their towns. 8 rural communities were randomly selected and assigned to varied levels of technical support.

Dissemination TrainingTechnical Assistance

Knowledge TranslationResearch translated into action

Creates “effective changes in practice, policy and products related to community living for people with disabilities.”

My Leadership in Action PlacementMy task: Collaborate on writing CEI Manuscript to be submitted to Community Development Society Journal. Documentation will help further research and develop a program to promote inclusion. I provided an overview of communities chosen for CEI, and researched key features of CEI communities to convey their values and overall feel.

LEND Objectives• Advance knowledge and skills of

child health professionals to improve health care delivery systems for children with DD

• Provide interdisciplinary education, emphasizing service integration between state and local organizations, providers and communities.

• Provide health professionals with skills to foster community-based partnerships.

• Promote practices to enhance cultural competency, family-centered care, and interdisciplinary partnerships.

Evaluates and addresses

accessibility to health care and

recreation for people with

disabilities across the lifespan.

Engagesindividuals from

multiple disciplines to come together to create solutions

Identifies and Invites community

leaders to participate,

encouraging partnerships

across professions.

Includes people with disabilities and their family

members in decision making.

CEI integration to the LEND mission

RecreationGovernment

Demographics

Healthcare

Transportation

Education

Geography

Employment

How does one describe a community? Key Points+ Community Self Identification= Community Description

So what? Available resources such as healthcare, recreation and transportation opportunities may not accurately identify a community’s capacity to provide access to individuals with disabilities. Demographics such as employment, income level and education levels reveal a lot about a community’s ability or inability to implement the CEI method.

What I’ve Learned About Myself as a Leader• I utilize the “visionary” and “participative” styles of

leadership, both looking ahead and engaging others in the process to advance the work.

• I ask “How does this apply?” • I translate ideas intended for one community to

serve expanded populations.

Lessons Learned• Multiple factors

beyond basic infrastructure determine capacity to deliver effective CEI to support residents with disabilities.

• Many areas lack financial resources and infrastructure to support CEI programs.

• Resource intensive implementation required trainer travel and invested volunteer community members.

Recommendations • Develop community

index to identify areas with resources: financial, transportation, and personal capital.

• Provide intensive training to communities identified as strong CEI candidates.

• Maximize resources: reduce travel, utilize technology for training, and recruit organizations with paid staff to implement CEI.

Lessons Learned & Recommendations

http://rtcil.org/knowledge-translation