Needs Assessment of Education, Healthcare, and Self-Advocacy for Persons With Developmental Disabilities and Their Families in Rural Setting

Abstract

This needs assessment study aimed to characterize domains of service needs of persons with developmental disabilities (PDD) and their families. Participants were 96 adults with DD (n= 5), their family members (n= 40), and service providers (n= 31). Seventy-six participants completed a survey on needs (education and early intervention, healthcare, and self-advocacy). Another 20 participants completed focus group interviews (family members,n= 14, service providers,n= 6). Following a descriptive analysis of quantitative data and content analysis of qualitative data, results show very high needs for services in the following domains: (a) training for skills in self-advocacy for persons with DD and their families, (b) healthcare access—health insurance and specialty care access, and (c) access to post-secondary education for persons with DD, and disability-specific education/training for service providers. Implications for rehabilitation services include addressing these needs through transition services with self-advocacy training, post-secondary education preparation, and informational service on healthcare access.