National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research - The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy proposes the National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research (NCDPR), a cross-disability initiative whose goals are to address gaps in knowledge about pregnancy and disability, enhance the experience of pregnancy in people with disabilities, and promote optimal outcomes for pregnant people with disabilities. This proposal builds on our work in the current funding cycle of the NCDPR. For the next five years, the NCDPR’s proposed objectives are to: 1) leverage existing and new data sources to examine perinatal risks, care, and outcomes by disability status, disability type, and race and ethnicity; 2) scale up and test the efficacy of a preconception education curriculum for women with mobility disabilities; 3) develop and pilot an accessible online prenatal education program for Deaf pregnant people; 4) examine the impact of Medicaid coverage of doula care on the perinatal experiences and outcomes of disabled people; and 5) establish quality indicators and create an e-learning module for mental health care providers to improve perinatal mental health care for disabled women. Anticipated outcomes include: 1) research findings and evidence-based recommendations to help shape optimal perinatal policy and practice guidelines; 2) tested strategies for providing targeted, tailored, effective supports for pregnant people with disabilities. Knowledge translation activities employing state-of-the-art technologies will be guided and informed by the NCDPR Community Advisory Board and supported by national partners comprised of disability organizations and maternal and child health organizations. Products will include publications, presentations, and training webinars for research, clinical, policy, and community audiences. Research findings and training products will be available through NCDPR’s existing accessible web portal.
