Anticipating Challenges in an Age of Austerity: Disability Research Methodologies As a Model for Research in Partnership with Vulnerable Populations

Social work research is faced with a new fiscal environment of austerity as federal funding for social research faces a precipitous decline. Funding for policies and programs aimed at fostering equality and justice for all is in the thrall of austerity, even as inequalities become more acute. Disability-related research conducted within social work provides a unique model for collectively framing and solving social problems through working with practitioners, community stakeholders, consumers and the private sector to anticipate emergent austerity challenges and inform novel approaches. Lessons learned from the disability sphere can be applied prospectively to take on the Grand Challenge of achieving equal opportunity, equality, and justice for all. Disability-related social work research has produced new approaches to knowledge and spurred social change related to social and health services, technologies, interventions, social policies, social action, community living, and community inclusion for people with disabilities. Importantly, social work researchers have innovatively employed a continuum of specialized methodologies (i.e., clinical trials, implementation, health services, and policy analysis research) as well as creative funding strategies from a combination of federal, foundation, industry, and private sources. These diverse approaches to social work research have been employed to great effect and have led to enhanced quality of life for the more than 40 million Americans with disabilities, as well as increased public support to advance the larger societal aspiration of justice and equality.

The goal of this workshop is to equip emerging social work researchers and engage established scholars with the skills needed to effectively partner with vulnerable populations and government agencies in policy- and practice-relevant research. In order to accomplish this goal, a panel of early career and seasoned disability research experts from the Disability Special Interest Group will discuss innovative approaches, methodologies and logistics employed in disability-related social work research. This workshop will be broken into three modules that represent complementary methodologies: (a) policy-relevant research; (b) clinical research; and (c) research funding. In the course of a 90-minute session each module will be presented with time for discussion.

This workshop will focus on preparing participants, regardless of their population of interest, to address the most pressing social problems in partnership with vulnerable populations and other stakeholders by leveraging disability research perspectives and expertise. Of high interest will be: • Tips for partnering with and recruiting vulnerable populations for participatory research • Modifying and validating measures and data collection instruments • Identifying vulnerable populations in administrative datasets • Conducting interviews and focus groups with participants who have a range of sensory-motor and communication disabilities • Developing and adapting interventions for low-resource families of children/adults with disabilities • Combining federal, foundation, industry, and private funding to build comprehensive innovative research funding portfolios and social programs

This workshop is particularly timely given the current political climate that emphasizes austerity and cuts to programs originally designed to move our society closer to inclusion and justice. The panel will also address creative solutions with proven effectiveness in order to countervail policies and programs likely to exacerbate inequality.