WGCL Symposium Agenda
Leadership in Research: An Invited Symposium Experience of Aging for People with Long-Term Disabilities
The University of Kansas Work Group on Community Living hosted an invited Symposium on Nov. 9-10, 2015. Experience of Aging for People with Long-Term Disabilities: Opportunities for Further Research brought together researchers, advocates and thought-leaders in the disability and aging fields to inform and sustain the vision of full participation for people who are aging with a disability.
Agendas for both days follow below. The second day focused on information about grants from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
For more information, see:
Mon., November 9, 2015 - Experience of Aging for People with Long-Term Disabilities
Welcome & Introduction: Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, Ph.D.
Keynote Address: Kathy Greenlee, J.D.
Bold Aspirations: James Tracy, Ph.D.
Respondent Panel: John Colombo, Ph.D.; Randy Nudo, Ph.D.; Paul Smokowski, Ph.D.
Health, Function & Employment Panel: This panel will address the relationship of health and employment among people aging with disabilities and how federal disability programs can facilitate or create barriers to employment and income security for this population. The current system often steers people with disabilities into a path of lifelong dependence on federal cash assistance and health care programs, but changes in the availability of health insurance and various employment incentives have the potential to alter this trajectory in the future. The panel will explore ways to build on these changes to assure a healthier and more productive life for people with disabilities as they age.
Jae Kennedy, Ph.D.; Jean P. Hall, Ph.D.; Laura Howard, J.D.
Supported Decision Making: There is a growing trend away from plenary guardianship for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people who are aging toward models of supported decision making that maximize a person’s involvement in decisions that impact the quality of his or her life. This session will discuss the emergence of supported decision making as an alternative to guardianship, discuss the activities of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities-funded National Resource Center on Supported Decision Making, and examine the development of assessments with which to conduct research examining the efficacy of interventions to promote decision making skills, opportunities to make decisions, and supports for decision making, as well as mediating and moderating factors that impact decision making.
Tina Campanella, CEO; Michael Wehmeyer, Ph.D.; Karrie Shogren, Ph.D.; Rocky Nichols, M.P.A.
Enhancing Consumer Participation in Rural Communities: This panel will focus on community participation for people with disabilities in rural communities. Panelists will discuss methods and measures to help identify community participation through the adaptation of widely-used internet tools. The panel will discuss practical applications of these “apps” to rural settings, and how they can be used to detect facilitators and barriers to participation.
Tom Seekins, Ph.D.; Martha Hodgesmith, J.D.; Glen White, Ph.D.; Deone Wilson
Improving Services and Supports for People Aging with Disabilities: A Focus on Transitions: This session will focus on emerging issues and areas in need of further research as the long-term supports and services network is called on to serve the growing number of people aging with long-term disabilities. The speakers’ extensive experience partnering on community-engaged research initiatives will be drawn on to address the following questions: How do community and state aging agencies need to adapt to meet the needs of this growing population? What knowledge gaps can researchers help fill to meet this demand? How can researchers, practitioners, and policymakers work together to ensure community options are available and accessible, especially at key transition points such as at time of hospital discharge or application for nursing facility admission? A state policy perspective on current research gaps in our understanding of people aging with long-term disabilities will provide additional context to help map next steps in addressing current research gaps in this arena.
Annette Graham, LSCSW; Rosemary Chapin, Ph.D.; Kari Bruffett, Secretary
Wrap-up: Bringing It All Together: Jim McLean, Moderator
Tues., November 10, 2015 - Getting to Know PCORI: Linking Researchers to Priorities & Requirements
Welcome & introduction: Jean Hall, Ph.D., KU
PCORI overview - Information regarding the Addressing Disparities science program, priority populations, projects specifically related to disability and aging, and engagement funding programs
Suzanne Schrandt, J.D., PCORI
PCORI experience at KU and KUMC: Suzanne Schrandt, J.D., PCORI; Edward Ellerbeck, M.D., KUMC; Christie Befort, Ph.D., KUMC; Amy Mendenhall, Ph.D., KU
How to submit an application
How the merit review process works: Kristen Metzger and Iris Giggetts, PCORI
Current funding opportunities, wrap-up and Q&A: Suzanne Schrandt, J.D., PCORI