About this Research Topic

Background

The barriers, needs, and opportunities of people living in rural communities can be very different than those living in urban areas. Rural research, innovation, and evidence-based practices are essential for understanding and addressing disability issues within the rural context. Rural people with disabilities experience a variety of disparities around social determinants of health that impact and limit community inclusion and meaningful participation. This includes, but is not limited to, challenges with employment, housing, education, health care, transportation, and access to community commerce and services. Rural disability research benefits from incorporating the lived experiences of people with disabilities throughout research and development phases.

The goal of this research topic is to compile a collection of papers that contribute to the current science of disability and rehabilitation in the rural context. It will bring new knowledge about the unique needs of disabled residents, the heterogeneity of rural communities, and the unique contexts that impact services, systems, supports, and overall access to community inclusion and participation. Insights will identify new solutions and opportunities to address barriers experienced by people with disabilities living in rural communities.

We welcome the submission of all article types (original research, reviews, policy reports, opinion pieces, etc) focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
Rural disability and health
Rural disability and employment
Rural disability and community living
Rural disability and social participation
Rural Disability and community based participatory research

We would like to acknowledge Tracy Boehm Barrett, University of Montana, who has acted as topic coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.

Keywords: rural disability, community participation, inclusion, environment, community based participatory research, rural rehabilitation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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