A recent national sample of women with physical disabilities revealed that 62 percent of the respondents had reported experiencing emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Research also shows that women with physical disabilities experience abuse for longer periods of time than women without disabilities. Such abuses may include withholding needed equipment (wheelchairs, braces), medications, transportation or essential assistance.

Sharon Milberger, associate director for research at the Developmental Disabilities Institute and lead researcher for the grant, said the project is a very gratifying opportunity. "The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation funded our initial research to look at the scope of the problem in Michigan," Milberger said. "Through our initial grant we identified the risk factors for violence that women with physical disabilities face. Now, thanks to the Foundation, we are able to build on this base of knowledge and systematically combat this serious problem," Milberger added.

The population for this study is adolescent girls and women over the age of 12, who have physical disabilities that result in limits in three or more major life activities including self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Disabilities may include cerebral palsy, postpolio, spina bifida, amputation, rheumatic conditions, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, sensory disabilities, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and stroke.

Milberger said the proposed program will be targeting 28 counties in Lower Michigan. Training sessions on safety will be presented to a sample of 150 adolescent girls and women with physical disabilities.

The research will focus on adolescents and young women, high school and early college age, given the high occurrence of violence at this age found in the DDI's previous BCBSM Foundation study, according to Milberger.

For further information about the research project, or to volunteer as a participant in the study, contact Sharon Milberger at (313) 577-7980 or e-mail: smilberger@wayne.edu.

The Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University is the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities of Michigan. As a University Center for Excellence, DDI is associated with over 60 universities with whom they share resources. The institute's mission is to contribute to the development of inclusive communities and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. DDI has a Community Advisory Council which includes individuals with disabilities, family members, and representatives from government, advocacy and service organizations. The institute currently implements over 20 grants and contracts in education, community support and program evaluation and research.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.