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This document is a table that lists the names and affiliations of individuals who participated in a conference on intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The conference focused on addressing disparities faced by individuals with IDD from underserved racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural communities. The participants discussed various methodological issues in research, practice, and policy, and emphasized the importance of including diverse perspectives and co-creating research with individuals with IDD. The table is part of a special issue of the journal Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities that provides recommendations for future research. [Extracted from the article]

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. A four-wave survey series was conducted, in part, to understand DSPs' COVID-19 vaccination experiences. Fourth wave data were used to compare those vaccinated against COVID-19 when they became eligible (early adopters) and those waiting at least three months before vaccination (in-betweeners). Findings indicated that in-betweeners were more likely to be female, younger, and people of color with lower education levels and annual incomes, with employers requiring COVID-19 vaccination to remain employed. COVID-19 vaccination motivators included protection for self, family, or people supported; an employer who mandated COVID-19 vaccination; and having had COVID-19 or knowing someone who did. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors (FLSs) have critical roles in home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Low wages and high levels of responsibility created a long-term crisis in recruitment and retention and are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A national sample of DSPs and FLSs were compared on demographics and work-related circumstances using data from the third Direct Support Workforce COVID-19 Survey. Significant differences were found in demographics, hours worked, wages, wage augmentations, and quality of work-life. Policy recommendations to address the worsening workforce crisis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to lay a foundation for illustrating the importance of longitudinal data collection by sharing the results of the Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) program in Pennsylvania designed to collect data over time on the quality of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this article, we report on the history and characteristics of the IM4Q program, describe the key variables of interest, and highlight the trends in the key variables over 3 years of data collection (2013, 2016, and 2019). The descriptive results indicate mixed trends for the three areas of focus: comparable rates of people employed in community-based settings, less support-related choice, and better everyday choice-making outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct support professionals (DSPs) may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the proximal nature of their work. In response to the pandemic a three-wave study was launched to understand experiences of DSPs. An on-line national survey found that 70% of DSPs were vaccinated. Vaccinated DSPs were older and had higher education levels. Among the unvaccinated, 56% reported concerns about COVID-19 vaccination safety. Unvaccinated DSPs were more likely to report that the people they supported were also unvaccinated. Encouraging DSPs to get vaccinated to protect the people they support is essential. Paid time off, arranging for vaccinations, and setting an expectation for vaccination may encourage vaccination uptake among DSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities is the property of American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities is the property of American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study describes service users with Down syndrome (N = 1,199) and a comparative sample with intellectual and developmental disabilities but not Down syndrome (N = 11,182), drawn from National Core Indicator surveys of adult service users in 25 U.S. states. Individuals with Down syndrome were younger than were individuals without Down syndrome. Men with Down syndrome were older than women with Down syndrome, whereas the reverse was true of the individuals without Down syndrome. Most (68%) people with Down syndrome had mild or moderate intellectual disability. The prevalence of vision impairment, hearing impairment, and physical disability increased with age. Adults with Down syndrome were more likely to have Alzheimer's dementia, have a hearing impairment, or be overweight, but they were less likely to have a physical disability than those without Down syndrome. Adults with Down syndrome were less likely to live in institutions or their own home, but they more likely to live in a family member's home. The results of a logistic regression showed that participants were more likely to be reported to be overweight if they had Down syndrome, were female, and were physically inactive, but they were less likely to be reported to be overweight if they were older, had more severe intellectual disability, had cerebral palsy, or were not independently mobile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]