Program Areas
Program Areas
Vulnerable Populations
Many people face physical, cognitive, or environmental challenges that make them vulnerable to low economic, social, and health outcomes. Such challenges can range from living with disabilities to facing barriers to accessing health services. Without effective mechanisms to effectively address these challenges, people may suffer multiple deleterious results, such as high rates of unemployment and poverty, substantial medical problems, poor educational outcomes, or social isolation.
The KDHRC program on Vulnerable Populations works to mitigate the negative impact of these challenges through program development and research to help people who face them live healthy and successful lives.
Current Initiatives
CI School Toolkit: Helping children with cochlear implants enter mainstream classrooms
With funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), KDHRC is constructing the CI School Toolkit, a comprehensive set of materials that will help parents, teachers, and classmates of a child with a cochlear implant support learning. Read More
Key Staff
Publications
Research Briefs
The evaluation results of a public health tool to help teachers effectively accommodate and teach children with cochlear implants in mainstream classrooms
Louise C. Palmer, Jana Eisensten, Eric C.Twombly, & Kristen D. Holtz, KDHRC
November 2011: Number 9
(Download PDF)
Working Papers
Exploring the use of the internet by caregivers of people with autism spectrum disorders to obtain caregiving information
Eric C. Twombly, Kristen D. Holtz, & Alison Daub, KDHRC
December 2010: Working Paper 10-001
(Download PDF)
Evaluation of a peer-focused intervention to increase knowledge and foster positive attitudes toward children with Tourette Syndrome
Kristen D. Holtz, KDHRC & Greta K. Tessman, Emerson College and Tufts University
August 2007: Working Paper 07-002
(Download PDF)
The impact of peer education on classroom outcomes for children with Tourette Syndrome
Kristen D. Holtz, KDHRC & Sid J. Schneider, Westat
December 2006: Working paper 06-002
(Download PDF)