Adults with disabilities in the U.S. have higher rates of many chronic health conditions¹ and are more likely to experience a fall.² As of 2016, 46% of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program participants and 40% of falls prevention program participants reported having a physical, mental, or emotional disability. Use the resources below to increase engagement of individuals with disabilities in evidence-based programs to improve management of ongoing health conditions and reduce their risk for falls and fall-related injuries.

Tip Sheets and Toolkits

• Tip Sheet: Chronic Disease Self-Management Education and People with Disabilities: Successful Practices
• Tip Sheet: Engaging People with Disabilities in Evidence-Based Programs
• Tip Sheet: Developing Partnerships with the Disability Community
• Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 and Technology Resources (see accessibility recommendations)
• The Inclusive Community Health Implementation  Package (iChip): The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability's package of interactive tools to help community health practitioners, organizations, and coalitions incorporate inclusion across all aspects of community health efforts.
• VisionAware: A road map for living with and serving individuals with vision loss.

Best Practices Toolkit: Resources from the Field

Explore our Best Practices Toolkit, a compilation of resources collected from Administration for Community Living, Administration on Aging (ACL/AoA) Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program (CDSME) grantees, former grantees, and other organizations implementing CDSME programs. Use the links below to find information specifically focused on engaging adults with disabilities in evidence-based programs.

• Tools for marketing evidence-based programs to adults with disabilities
• Resources for partnering with organizations that serve people with disabilities
• AAHD Virtual Platform Accessibility Tips
• Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging Sensory Impairment Toolkit: Use this toolkit to adapt Stepping On workshops to accommodate people with sensory impairments. The toolkit includes audio recordings that provide detailed explanations of each Stepping On exercise.
• Healthy Aging NC Inclusion Toolkit
• Wyoming Center on Aging Healthy U Inclusivity Training

• TechSAge Tool: Guidelines for Delivering Telewellness Programs to Older Adults with Disabilities

Resources for Public Policy & Action

• Learn more about long-term services and supports to help seniors and adults with disabilities stay independent.
• Creating an Accessible Vaccine Experience for People with Disabilities and Older Adults

Resources Focused on Transportation

• National Transportation Services Directory
• National Center for Mobility Management
• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

Helpful Organizations and Resource Centers

• American Association on Health and Disability
• American Foundation for the Blind
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) State-based Disability and Health Programs
• Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
• Independent Living Research Utilization
• National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services
• National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability
• National Council on Independent Living
• National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative
• National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
• University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

Sources

1. Research and Training Center on Measurement and Interdependence in Community Living. The Intersection of Disability and Chronic Disease Fact Sheet. Oregon Health and Science University. July 2011. Found on the internet at https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/3512798/fact-sheet-research-and-training-center-on-independent-living

2. University of Washington Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. How to Prevent Falls. 2013. Found on the internet at http://agerrtc.washington.edu/info/factsheets/falls