DOI: 10.3886/icpsr38533
title: Multi-method Community Inquiry (R2 Part A): Qualitative Community Inquiry, Michigan, 2019-2020
title: Archival Version

description: Multi-method Community Inquiry (R2 Part A): Qualitative Community Inquiry, Michigan was a three-part study designed to enhance understanding of the complex interactions between the person and environment that are associated with healthy aging for individuals with long-term physical disabilities from low-income and minority communities and to identify best practices related to impactful policies, programs, and resources.


This qualitative study conducted remote interviews with adults with long-term physical disabilities and key informant interviews to identify the environmental factors, including the policies, community programs, and personal supports, which are identified as supporting or promoting healthy aging in two low-income and racially/ethnically marginalized communities in Michigan. Potential participants were identified through community and disability organizations and either contacted through mailings or asked to self-identify in response to advertisements in local papers or other outlets. All focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify key themes.
description: The goal of this study was to identify the environmental factors that promote or support healthy aging with a long-term physical disability as perceived by individuals with long-term physical disabilities from low-income and racial/ethnic minority backgrounds who have been successful in this process.
description: Potential participants were asked about their general availability and access to various locations within either the Detroit or Flint community. Once a sufficient number of eligible participants were identified, focus groups were scheduled to maximize participation of a stratified sample. Each group was facilitated by two members of the research team using a semi-structured format; each lasted approximately two hours. All focus groups were recorded using audio and video devices, with the video used to improve the accuracy of the transcription by increasing the ability to distinguish between speakers.
Key informants were defined as influential stakeholders who had important insights and / or information about topics. During focus groups, participants were asked to identify key informants within their communities; these may be other individuals with disabilities, health care providers, community advocates or other stakeholders. These individuals were contacted and asked to take part in an individual interview which covers the same topic. Interviews were conducted by one facilitator and lasted 1- 2 hours.
description: Only individuals from low-income and minority backgrounds who reported healthy aging with a long-term physical disability were considered. For this study, long-term physical disability was operationalized as an impairment or chronic condition of at least five years which impacts physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina and results in the individual requiring assistance from another individual and / or use of an assistive device (such as a walker or wheelchair) in order to participate in meaningful life activities. Healthy aging was operationalized by a combination of asking about significant periods without hospitalizations or secondary and co-morbid conditions, achieving assisted autonomy and participation in meaningful life activities.
Initial stratification was done based on location, onset/type of disability, and gender. Once these characteristics were considered, other characteristics such as severity of disability were considered so as to obtain participants with the broadest range of attributes.
description: Datasets: 
DS1: Multi-method Community Inquiry (R2 Part A): Qualitative Community Inquiry, Michigan, 2019-2020
description: Adults with long-term physical disabilities from the greater Detroit and Flint, Michigan areas.
description: telephone interviewFor more information, please visit the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness website.