Purpose/Objective: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore how adolescents conceptualize disability identity and what factors may influence adolescent disability identity development.Research Method/Design: These data were collected through semistructured in-depth interviews with 24 middle and high school adolescents with disabilities. The participants had a wide range of disabilities, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, and others. Analyses started with Hamilton's Rapid Assessment Process followed by identifying structural and in vivo codes using a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis tool to allow for multiple coders and memo writing across the research team. Results: The results indicate that adolescents are undergoing a heterogeneous and complex process to develop their disability identity. Additionally, the salience of the participants' disability identity often varied depending on the environmental context. Furthermore, social connections to peers with and without disabilities played an important role in the development of many participants' disability identities. Conclusions/Implications: These findings suggest that adolescents with disabilities are engaging in a multifaceted meaning-making process to develop a sense of disability identity. Rehabilitation Psychologists and other practitioners can support disabled adolescents by helping them to discuss and develop a positive disability identity. Furthermore, practitioners can help disabled adolescents successfully develop their disability identity in a variety of different settings and contexts. Impact and ImplicationsThis study empirically investigates adolescent disability identity development. Results suggest that disability identity is a salient identity for adolescents. Yet, disabled adolescents seem to still grapple with this identity, and it appears to be more salient in certain contexts and with certain types of peers than with others. Adolescents were excited to share their disability story, and by encouraging these conversations, this will help to make disability identity a valued form of diversity. Rehabilitation psychologists are well-positioned to engage in these conversations with disabled adolescents and to potentially be liaisons between the adolescent and their school psychology team. Furthermore, this work has important implications for providing a knowledge basis to allow for the future building of targeted interventions and therapeutic techniques to help support and positively impact the development of disability identity with adolescents.

Purpose/Objective: We sought to explore perspectives of the paralysis community about COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Research Method/Design: Data were collected through an online survey with multiple choice and open-ended questions from adult persons with paralysis (PWP), persons with other disabilities, and other members of the paralysis community (Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Supporters, FS). PWP and persons with other disabilities were grouped into one group (persons with disabilities, PWD) for most analyses. Multiple choice questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to compare the PWD and FS groups; open-ended responses were coded using Hamilton’s rapid assessment process. Results: A total of 774 participants (740 PWD and 304 FS) responded to the survey. PWD were less likely to agree that they felt well-informed about boosters, that the boosters were safe, and that their state and federal governments provide transparent information about boosters. Of those who had not received a booster, PWP were less likely than the rest of the sample to plan to receive one. Both groups expressed similar concerns about the boosters, but distrust was a more common concern for PWD than for FS. Both groups expressed concerns about side effects and the boosters affecting a health condition, but PWP expressed concerns unique to paralysis and neurological difficulties. Conclusions: Although PWD shared concerns with the FS group, distrust is a larger issue and concerns unique to PWD that must be considered in public health efforts to ensure that the paralysis community is treated equitably.

We sought to explore perspectives among the paralysis community and caregivers or persons with paralysis (PWP) about the COVID-19 vaccination. Research Method/Design: Data were collected via online survey with multiple choice and open-ended questions from adult PWP and family members and/or caregivers (FC) of PWP. Multiple choice questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to compare the two groups (PWP and FC); open-ended responses were coded using Hamilton's rapid assessment process. Results: A total of 1,017 respondents (831 PWP, 186 FC). PWP shared the same levels of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and received similar levels of information about the vaccine as the general population. Unique concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine expressed solely by PWP included fear of death after the vaccine, concerns about vaccine efficacy, and concerns about Federal Drug Administration approval. At the time, the majority of PWP plan to seek a COVID-19 vaccination and were vaccinated at a higher rate than was the general population. Conclusions: Although PWP share many similar concerns to the general population, there are some concerns unique to PWP that must be noted to ensure that the paralysis community is considered fully and equitably in public health efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Impact and ImplicationsThis study empirically investigates COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with paralysis and family members/caregivers. Results indicate that the paralysis community was receiving vaccinations ahead of the national average. People with paralysis and general population have the same level of vaccine hesitancy. Significant differences exist between people with paralysis and nondisabled individuals about vaccine safety. Rehabilitation psychologists are well-positioned to engage in conversations with members of the paralysis community who may express hesitation about vaccination and therefore should be aware of the current perspectives from this community. This timely work has important implications for providing a knowledge basis to allow for later decisions that may result as the pandemic continues and new questions are emerging regarding the possibility of future vaccines.

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