Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Abstract
Based on previous studies and research conducted by the Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation
Network (KARRN) several key findings have been identified: 1) Need in underserved and under
resourced regions for access to durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT)
equipment to improve academic and employment outcomes, community participation, and quality of life
(QoL). 2) Need for community-based experts capable of assessing, adapting, and developing DME/AT
and adapting toys in the environment in which it will be used. 3) Need to engage the community to more
effectively obtain and distribute refurbished equipment to underserved communities.
The purpose of Project CARAT (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology) is to
improve the community participation and quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Kentucky
through the refurbishing and reutilization of AT and DME. Project CARAT was created in 2013 as a
collaboration between the State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the UK Physical Therapy program,
the Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) in Hazard, and the Carl. D. Perkins Vocational Training
Center. The goal of the proposed project is to develop an integrated community-engaged approach to
expand capacity of the existing Project CARAT service learning program at the UK CERH; specifically
1) increase the capacity to provide refurbished DME/AT to the region, 2) provide a service opportunity to
more effectively engage the community, and 3) engage local high school students to be change agents
within their community.
Aim 1: To develop an intergenerational training project: The goal is to pilot a new intergenerational
program that will bring together senior citizens with local high school students, especially those with
disabilities, to teach this next generation life skills, as well as hands on skills to refurbish used DME, AT,
and adapting toys for use by community members.
Aim 2: Establish community service collaboration with Hazard High School. The goal for this
collaboration is to engage students, with and without disabilities, at Hazard High School in the Project
CARAT program to support individuals with disabilities living within their Appalachian rural community
and to become change agents within their communities.
The expected outcomes of the proposed work is the establishment of the infrastructure and community
capacity to develop and assess the efficacy of community-based programs and services focused on
improving the community participation and quality of life of individuals with disabilities living in rural
communities.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 7/1/22 → 6/30/23 |
Funding
- KY Council on Developmental Disabilities: $61,398.00
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