ACL Awards Six Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program Grants

September 17, 2024

ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is announcing six Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) grants for five years, with estimated annual funding ranging from $437,000 to $599,000.

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, trainings, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

DRRP Grant Recipients

• DRRP on Development and Distribution of Mobile Applications for Use by People With Disabilities to University of Pittsburgh for developing and distributing mobile apps that contribute to positive outcomes among people with disabilities in each of NIDILRR's outcome domains. This project will partner with three national disability organizations, a nonprofit specializing in technology and accessibility, a center on assistive technology tech transfer, and two technology companies with the goal of developing and distributing 20 accessible mobile apps during a five-year timeframe. Project objectives include selecting promising app proposals, supporting iterative development of inclusive apps, distributing them, tracking their impact, and democratizing app development by addressing accessibility within low-code and no-code platforms. Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPGE-0084, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project: Development and Distribution of Mobile Applications For Use By People With Disabilities," posted April 8, 2024.
• DRRP on Disability and Pregnancy to Brandeis University for research contributing to maximizing positive pregnancy experiences, prenatal care, or birth outcomes among people with long-term disabilities. This project builds on previous cross-disability work of the National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research, and the project objectives include: 1) leveraging existing and new data sources to examine perinatal risks, care, and outcomes by disability status, disability type, and race and ethnicity; 2) scaling up and testing the efficacy of a preconception education curriculum for women with mobility disabilities; 3) developing and piloting an accessible online prenatal education program for Deaf pregnant people; 4) examining the impact of Medicaid coverage of doula care on the perinatal experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities; and 5) establishing quality indicators and creating an e-learning module for mental health care providers to improve perinatal mental health care for women with disabilities. Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0086, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Disability and Pregnancy," posted March 25, 2024.
• DRRP on Enhancing Accessibility of Air Travel to Trustees of Indiana University for research to improve airline travel experiences of people with disabilities. This project has three aims: 1) research to cultivate a fuller understanding of the air travel experiences of people with physical disabilities; 2) develop a pilot accessibility training program for aviation employees to improve service for people with disabilities; and 3) implement knowledge translation activities to enhance the air travel experiences of people with physical disabilities. Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPCP-0084, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Enhancing the Accessibility of Air Travel," posted April 17, 2024.
• DRRP Projects on Health and Function:
  • A Comparison of Two Interventions for Chronic Cognitive Difficulties After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury - University of Washington: The project will evaluate the efficacy of a novel rehabilitation intervention, Tools for Recovery and Clinical Care (On-TRACC), to improve the quality of life and function for individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0087, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Research)," posted February 7, 2024.
  • A Longitudinal Study of Opioid Use, Misuse, and Co-Use of Other Substances: Related Changes in Outcomes After Spinal Cord Injury - Medical University of South Carolina: This project will conduct a mixed methods study to describe opioid use, misuse, and co-use of other substances, associated risk factors, and their consequences among those with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), building on the 30-year SCI Longitudinal Health Study. Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0087, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Research)," posted February 7, 2024.
  • Self-Management Through an Electronic Framework After Traumatic Brain Injury - Baylor College of Medicine: This project will develop, test, and effectively disseminate an electronic tool (SELF-TBI) designed for individuals with TBI to maintain physical and mental health across their lifespans through self-management activities such as self-monitoring of symptoms, actions to take, and systematic problem-solving. Contact [email protected] at NIDILRR if you have questions about this project. See Notice of Funding Opportunity: HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0088, "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Development)," posted February 7, 2024.

To stay current on NIDILRR grant opportunities, please visit grants.gov and search: NIDILRR or 93.433.

NIDILRR, part of ACL, generates new knowledge and promotes its effective use so that people with disabilities can perform activities of their choice in the community. NIDILRR also works to expand society's capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities.