Who: Dr. Abigail Cochran, Aysan Esmaely, Ciara Nelson-Forcade, and Iksoon Choi
When: Friday, October 25, 2024, 11:00am-11:50am
Where: Kiewit Hall (KH A510), Lincoln. Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) Room 160, Omaha (remote)
Zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/98630335322
Title: Understanding and Addressing Transportation Barriers to Low Vision Care in Nebraska
Presentation Abstract:
This project examines transportation barriers to healthcare for individuals with disabilities in Nebraska, with a focus on residents who are blind or have low vision. The research investigates how transportation challenges hinder access to low vision rehabilitation services and explores strategies to overcome these obstacles. Through qualitative interviews with patients at UNMC’s Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, the study sheds light on the travel behaviors and access difficulties these individuals face. An ongoing environmental scan, informed by discussions with clinicians, aims to identify actionable solutions to enhance transportation and healthcare access. Additionally, the project evaluates the demand for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in rural Nebraska. By analyzing data from the 2022 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) and the American Community Survey (ACS), the study identifies regions with a high prevalence of travel-limiting disabilities, presenting opportunities for local transit agencies and individuals to provide NEMT services and improve healthcare access in underserved areas.