The COVID-19 pandemic has forced both quantitative and qualitative health researchers to adapt and strategize data collection strategies without causing any harm to the participants or researchers. This has resulted in utilizing various types of strategies such as online surveys and synchronous virtual platforms such as Zoom and Webex. This transition from face-to-face to synchronous online platforms has helped in increasing coverage as well as reaching participants who are otherwise unreachable. While quantitative health researchers seem to have made a seamless transition to synchronous online platforms, qualitative health researchers who rely on studying participants in their “real-world-settings” are facing unique challenges with online data collection strategies. This article critically examines the benefits and challenges of implementing qualitative health research studies via synchronous online platforms and provides several practical considerations that can inform qualitative health researchers. It can also assist Institutional Review Board members in reviewing and implementing qualitative health research study protocols in a manner that preserves the integrity, richness, and iterative nature of qualitative research methodology.

The United States has a limited and inadequate supply of housing to meet the accessibility needs of those with physical disabilities. As it pertains to the built environment, accessibility means that an environment can be approached and used independently by individuals with diverse disabilities (DeJong, 1979; University of Washington, 2015). The U.S. "accessibility movement" is grounded in the realization that community participation (e.g., leisure activity, voting, residence, etc.) for individuals with disabilities is nearly impossible without the eradication of attitudinal and environmental barriers preventing full participation (DeJong, 1979). An analysis of the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) data reinforced that the needs of individuals with disabilities are not well matched to the housing in which they live or available in the housing market (Bo'Sher, Chan, Ellen, Karfunkel, & Liao, 2015). While one third of the current housing stock may be modifiable for individuals with mobility impairments, currently less than 5% would be accessible to those with moderate mobility impairments, and only 0.15% accessible to those utilizing mobility devices. With the rising numbers of older adults, an aging society will witness growth in physical and cognitive impairments among seniors living in the community. In addition, deinstitutionalization trends will result in growing numbers of individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning from institutionalized care to community living. Hence, aging population trends and the deinstitutionalization movement, in addition to growing numbers of Veterans with disabilities, will increase the demand for accessible homes.

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