NIDILRR-Funded Research:
RTC:Rural is a proud, diligent steward of funds received from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). For the last 47 years, NIDILRR funds have supported disability-focused research, training, and dissemination across the domains of health, employment, and independent living. In FY 2023, NIDILRR funding supported 271 grants and 1,500 projects, which resulted in publications, products, tools, and technology to support people with disabilities to live and thrive in their communities.
This information sheet highlights the impacts of our work in rural communities nationwide.
The information included in the attached document is also written out below:
Who We Are
With support from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), our team at the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) advances equity and opportunity for people with disabilities, concentrated on helping those in rural communities across America.
Through our initiatives on social isolation, developing community resources, and building independent living skills, we bridge critical gaps in services, policy, and access to empower rural independence and help fix broken support systems—turning research into real-world solutions that maximize funding to positively impact lives.
Health Savings
Our program has reached 8,900+ participants through 279 agencies across 46 states, generating estimated healthcare savings of $6.4–28.8 million— preventing millions in avoidable healthcare costs and providing participants the tools to live independently in their communities.
Usable Homes
Our Home Usability Program proves that low-cost assistive tech and home modifications keep people thriving at home and out of nursing facilities, saving rural disabled consumers millions in healthcare costs and keeping them close to their families.
Access to Care
Our empowers rural disabled consumers to break down caregiver access barriers and demand the care they deserve.
Rural Transit
We’ve mapped where federal transit dollars flow in rural areas and identified policy fixes to boost transportation access, ensuring tax dollars reach the communities that need them most.
Peer Support
Our builds community-driven rural peer networks that are proven to combat social isolation—a silent killer in rural communities.
Employment
Tools like the (VRSEG) and (TVR SET) transform barriers into opportunities, helping people with disabilities launch business opportunities and enter the workforce.
In-Home Care
Our research exposes the growing shortage of in-home care workers in rural areas and delivers practical, scalable solutions to help communities respond to this crisis.
