Health Disparities Research

Dr. Cada's Health Disparities Research

Issues of Access to Services for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

• Co-Project Directors: Dr. Robbie O’Shea and Dr. Elizabeth Cada
• UIC Research Mentor: Suzann Campbell, P.T., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Physical Therapy, UIC

This project will continue and expand upon a previous NIH research project  that identified factors  preventing infants and children with cerebral palsy in the south metropolitan region of Chicago from acquiring equivalent/sufficient health care, particularly occupational and physical therapy services.  This new investigation will expand the previous project by including the perspectives of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. After examining the issues related to access from the perspectives and experiences of older individuals with cerebral palsy, a plan will be developed and implemented to share  information with the community, medical, human service, and public health professionals.  First, community  and medical partners who work with young adults with CP will be identified. A curriculum will be developed to assist these partners in making effective referrals to therapy and helping to reduce community barriers to therapy. Additionally, a website will be designed and updated with information regarding services available in the area for individuals with cerebral palsy. This website will be ideal for community workers and agencies to easily retrieve information for their clients with CP. Finally, the project will seek to examine effectiveness of sharing the information about issues of access with the identified groups.