Research at the Center
At the Center for Disability Justice our team researches a broad scope of topics related to disability. We are particularly interested in how social determinants of health intersect with disability identity and shape individuals' experiences across the life course. Our team’s work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the UMB Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), the UMB Institute for Health Computing, the Donaghue Foundation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Please see below for a description of our work.
If you’re interested in learning more or exploring future collaborations, please reach out to us!
Neighborhoods and Disability
Our research explores how neighborhood environments shape the experiences of people with disabilities. We focus on the structural and social conditions that influence community mobility, access to services, and opportunities for full participation in society. Factors such as sidewalk quality, transportation infrastructure, housing stability, neighborhood safety, and proximity to essential resources play a critical role in supporting or constraining daily life. By identifying and addressing these neighborhood-level barriers, our work aims to inform policy and systems change that promote equity, inclusion, and independent living for people with disabilities.
Relevant publications
- Even if they're late or it takes forever … I will get home’: Exploring lived experiences of older paratransit users
- Epidemiology of Public Transportation Use Among Older Adults in the United States
- Association Between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Functional Well-being in Community- Living Older Persons
- Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Disability after Critical Illness
- Neighborhood Deprivation and Recovery Following Traumatic Brain Injury Among Older Adults
Center researchers working on this:
- Jason Falvey, DPT, PhD
- Morgan Fique, BS
- Lindsey Mathis, PT, DPT
- Jihyeong Jeong, MA
- Jingwen Hu, MS
Chronic Disease, Comorbidity, and Disability
Chronic health conditions and serious illnesses can contribute to new or changing disability experiences, affect individuals already living with disabilities, and influence overall quality of life. Our team studies how health challenges and disability interact, especially in the context of factors like access to care, family and community support, housing, and economic opportunity. We aim to better understand the full picture of how these factors shape people’s daily lives and long-term well-being
Relevant publications
- Associations Between Peak Expiratory Flow and Community Mobility Loss Among Older Adults in the United States
- Tackling Brain and Muscle Dysfunction in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Survivors: NHLBI Workshop Report
- Association between pre-hip fracture depression and days at home after fracture and assessing sex differences
Center researchers working on this:
- Lindsey Mathis, PT, DPT
- Jason Falvey, DPT, PhD
Cognitive Impairment and Disability
Dementia can significantly impact a person's ability to work or function in daily life. Research supported by our team explores the intersections of cognitive functioning, caregiving, and positive impact of providing appropriate, age-friendly care for persons living with cognitive impairment or dementia. Our work in this area is funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging.
Relevant publications
- Associations of sex, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and days alive and at home among older Medicare beneficiaries recovering from hip fracture
- Describing Dementia Specialty Care Units in US Nursing Homes: Leveraging National Survey Data From HARBORS and LTCfocus
- Dementia, Comorbidity, and Physical Function in the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Emergency Department Communication in Persons Living With Dementia and Care Partners: A Scoping Review
Center researchers working on this:
- Jason Falvey, DPT, PhD
- Gretchen Tucker, PhD, MA
Nutrition and Disability
Nutrition is essential to maintaining health, function, and quality of life for aging individuals and people with disabilities. It supports immune function, mobility, cognitive health, and chronic disease management. Our team explores tailored approaches with various Veteran and non-Veteran populations in Baltimore that address the unique nutritional needs and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Relevant publications
- Associations between social isolation and diet quality among US adults with disability participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013-2018
- Dietary Quality and Perceived Barriers to Weight Loss among Older Overweight Veterans with Dysmobility
Center researchers working on this:
- Elizabeth Dennis, PhD, RD
- Morgan Fique, BS
Education and Training
Our team investigates the impact of education on implicit bias about disability, knowledge about disability, and interest in working with disability communities.
We are also exploring how to meaningfully involve individuals with lived experience of disability in both research and training. By training our trainees and affiliates to engage community members as active collaborators in research, we can enhance the relevance and impact of our projects. These efforts are supported through collaborations with our Community Advisory Board and the PATIENTS program within the UMB system.
Relevant publications and funded projects
Center researchers working on this:
- Elizabeth Dennis, PhD, RD
- Jasmine K. Cooper, PhD, MA
- Jason Falvey, DPT, PhD
Caregiving for Individuals with a Disability
Disability impacts not only an individual but also those who provide them with care and support. In both research and clinical care, the caregiver is often overlooked and forgotten. Our team investigates the experiences and needs of caregivers as they support individuals who are aging or disabled.
Relevant publications
- Race and Gender Differences in Unmet Needs of Nonspousal Care Partners of People Living with Dementia
- The Other Caregivers: Informal Non-Spousal Male Caregivers for Persons with Dementia
- Supporting Family Care Partners During Physical Therapy Care
Center researchers working on this:
- Gretchen Tucker, PhD, MA
- Jasmine K. Cooper, PhD, MA
Maternal Health and Disability
A new area of research for the center, focusing on the unmet needs of individuals living with a disability. About 20% of individuals who give birth in the US have a disability and are more likely to experience challenges accessing health care before, during, and following pregnancy, potentially exacerbating risk of pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity.
Center researchers working on this:
- Jasmine K. Cooper, PhD, MA
Genetic and Epigenetic Influences on Disability
Genetic and epigenetic factors can influence the development, aquisition, and rehabilitation of disability. Our team researches these influences with a special emphasis on stroke recovery.
Relevant publications
Center researchers working on this:
- Robynne Braun, MD, PhD