Myeong Lee, Assistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology, is leading a study to help people with disabilities and their families in Virginia access information about disability services more easily.
The 2022 Information Access Assessment report by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) revealed that many people with disabilities and their families struggle to find the necessary information about disability services, even when they actively seek help from service agencies. This difficulty in accessing information can cause delays in receiving timely services, which might negatively affect their well-being and health.
Lee and his collaborators will work to pinpoint the main challenges in the information systems related to disability services. They will then provide suggestions and visual aids for improving the state’s information systems, making them more accessible. This could include enhancing the way data is shared between systems and standardizing how it is stored.
The research findings will be presented in various formats, such as numbers, descriptions, and graphics, focusing on the overall landscape of disability services in Virginia, particularly Medicaid services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
"This project will create a foundation to significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families by removing barriers to vital, life-changing services," Lee said.
Lee received $149,921 from Virginia Board for People with Disabilities on a subaward from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for this project. Funding began in April 2023 and will end in late May 2024.
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