The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University wants to raise awareness and understand the unique challenges and barriers faced by those living with a disability in Houston and Harris County. While major neighborhood and housing improvements have been achieved in the decades following the passage of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and the Fair Housing Amendments (FHAA) acts, notable inequalities still persist--and only compound in times of crisis.
The collective experience during Hurricane Harvey brought to bear a number of these persistent challenges and disparities, including, but not limited to: lack of coordination, accountability, and support during and after the storm, ongoing neighborhood quality concerns, and unmet housing needs in the present. As such, this study will center on housing needs and conditions, neighborhood quality and accessibility, and emergency preparedness and Hurricane Harvey. We need your insight and your story to further raise public awareness around the unique challenges you experience living in the Houston Metro Region.
While you may not directly benefit from this research, we hope that your participation in the study will help inform new policies, new interventions, and new programs to improve the quality of life for all residents with disabilities in Greater Houston. In particular, we hope the data from your responses will pave the way for greater investments in:
- Policies and programs to improve quality of life outcomes for people living with disabilities and for the region’s growing aging population
- Targeted neighborhood interventions for enhanced accessibility and connectivity
- Accessible housing investments and renovations to improve existing housing conditions and enhance overall housing stock
- Evacuation and recovery plan improvements targeted to better support the unique challenges faced by residents with disabilities
Ultimately, this important work starts with your experience, your life, and your story. This survey will take the typical respondent about 25 minutes to complete, and the more information you can provide, the better we can advocate for you and all you contribute to making Houston and Harris County a better place for everyone to live.
We believe there are no known risks associated with this research study; however, as with any online related activity, the risk of a breach of confidentiality is always possible. To the best of our ability, your answers in this study will remain confidential. We will minimize any risks by separating your name and consent from your data after the collection period ends on May 1, 2020. Afterward your data will be given a random identifier to de-identify your data.
Why did I receive this survey?
We are surveying Houstonians who are 18 and older and living with a disability or have aged into their disability. Your response will help us produce reliable information on the lived experiences of those living with a disability in Houston and Harris County. As a reminder, your participation is completely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
Questions & Comments
If you have any additional questions or if you’d like to become involved in this process beyond the survey, don’t hesitate to reach out to Christopher Servidio at cs93@rice.edu. For questions about your rights as a research participant, or to discuss problems, concerns or suggestions related to the research, or to obtain information or offer input about the research, contact if you have questions pertaining to your rights as a research participant; or to report objections to this study, you should contact Stephanie Thomas, Compliance Administrator, at Rice University. Email: irb@rice.edu or Telephone: 713-348-3586.
If you would like more information regarding your consent and participation in this survey, please review the online consent form here or the paper version in full here. We appreciate your participation and look forward to working with you to make Houston and Harris County a better place to live!