“I don’t like to take advantage”: How disabled adults get by with limited community resources in rural America

People with disabilities face barriers to accessing resources and supports they need to live independently in their communities. These barriers are amplified in rural communities where access to transportation, healthcare, personal care supports, food, and internet/communication technology can be limited. This study aims to better understand not only the limitations that rural people with disabilities face when trying to access community resources but also the strategies and solutions they employ to navigate these limitations. Using photo-elicitation interviews, the research team interviewed 12 rural community members with disabilities. We used thematic analysis to identify three core themes related to rural resource access. First, people with disabilities in rural areas described limited access to resources, particularly access to transportation which in turn limited their ability to access other services. Secondly, reliance on social capital and disability organizations emerged as critical sources of support that individuals leveraged to navigate their limited access to community resources. Finally, while social capital and community-based organizations are critical supports, systemic barriers continue to limit access to rural community resources impacting individuals access to care and quality of life. Increased community living supports and funding for community-based organizations in rural communities is critical to ensure that people with disabilities in all communities across the country have access to the resource they need to live independently in their communities.