Action Research for Community Health & Wellbeing

Study Background

Recent studies have found a significant increase in children diagnosed with disabilities over the years. For parents, gaining access to services can be life changing for a child. Further exploration is needed to better understand the opportunities and challenges faced when navigating systems to find solutions that improve the quality of life for a child with disabilities.

Research Overview

For this study, our research team at UIW plans to use an emergent community-based participatory action research approach to explore how parents of children with disabilities, specifically with autism, gain access to federal programs, social services and support.

Research Exploration

To do this we will be working with local organizations and online support groups to seek interested parents interested in participating in the research and sharing their story. The research design entails pre- and post-interviews, a digital storytelling workshop, film screening, and focus group.

Research Opportunities

In the digital storytelling process, participants will be able to share first person experiences through audio, media and video creation. Digital storytelling can offer a multitude of opportunities to support public health and practice advocacy work.

Next Steps

We are planning to capture data from action research methodology to address the purpose of the research study. In addition, parents that take part in the approach can offer lessons learned, which can present the development of accessible information and dissemination of scholarly research practices. This study can help uncover critical areas of access to services that parents experience while caring for a child with disabilities. 

If you are interested in this research study, please feel free to visit our website to learn more information: https://ar4chw.wordpress.com.

Michelle Vasquez is a master’s student in the School of Professional Studies at the University of the Incarnate Word and Communications Coordinator in the Dreeben School of Education.