Assessing the Living Well in the Community Program for people with disabilities in the context of COVID-19

Living Well in the Community (LWC) is a health promotion intervention developed by RTC:Rural to support people with disabilities in building self-management of health, well-being, and community engagement skills. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for remote access, LWC was adapted for online delivery. This study evaluates outcomes from the program's online implementation between 2020 and 2023.

The online version of LWC was delivered over ten weekly sessions via Zoom-based meetings and a dedicated website. The study examined outcomes from participants (n = 119) at 15 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) across the US. Participants completed pre- and post-program surveys assessing behavioral health (PROMIS-29), community engagement, healthcare utilization, and comfort with online communication. A total of 69 participants completed the post-surveys.

PROMIS scores showed insignificant improvements in behavioral health. However, participants reported a significant increase in hours spent on education, employment, or volunteering (from 7.42 to 11.13 h, p = .002). Self-reported confidence in managing chronic conditions remained high, with 89.5% of respondents rating themselves at 5 or lower on a 10-point scale (lower = more confident).

While online delivery of LWC demonstrated reduced impact compared to prior in-person implementations, the program supported participants in maintaining stable health and engagement during a period of significant global disruption. While results were generally insignificant, they still suggest that online delivery of the LWC program may have been a valuable intervention for participants. Future research should investigate hybrid models and use larger sample sizes to assess program efficacy.