Rural Health Institute Will Conduct Statewide Phone Survey

Pocatello - During late February and March, the Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health will conduct telephone interviews with Idahoans throughout the state to learn public views about disability issues.

"Input from the survey will help guide a multi-media ad campaign designed to help people see the benefits to communities of welcoming people of varying abilities into the mainstream of community life," said Dr. Beth Hudnall Stamm, principal investigator for the research project. "You may be getting a call, and if you do, answering it can help people across the state of Idaho." The Institute is working under the Real Choices Systems Change project, a federal grant from the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to conduct research about issues of concern to people of all ages with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Cosponsor of the project is the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

The project's purpose is to determine what types of services and supports will best help people with disabilities lead productive lives in their own communities. The public opinion telephone survey, which will last about 10-15 minutes, will ask Idahoans for their views on a variety of disability issues, including community values about integrating people with disabilities into everyday life.

The telephone survey is only one part of the Real Choices Systems Change research project. Other parts of the project include: an assessment of current services for people with disabilities; a community development project aimed at helping residents build support systems for people with disabilities; an economic analysis of current services; and an effectiveness study, which will involve helping a small group of people with disabilities attain community integration.

For more information about the research project, view the Web site at www.isu.edu/irh or contact the Institute of Rural Health at (208) 282-4436.