Our Research
The YELL Lab develops and evaluates tools and interventions that empower youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. Teams of youth and young adults with disabilities partner in all phases of the research process, from development, to data collection, to data analysis and interpretation.
To support the development of best practices in rehabilitation and education, we conduct research in two interrelated areas: Community-based intervention and Outcome Assessment.
Interventions
Our community-based interventions strive to provide youth, young adults, and their families with the skills and knowledge to advocate for social and physical environments that support their participation in school, work, and the community.
Assessments
Our outcome assessments provide youth, young adults, and their families with an opportunity to provide patient-reported outcomes for use in practice and research.
Project TEAM (Teens Making Environment and Activity Modifications)
Project TEAM empowers youth and young adults with disabilities to: Identify barriers in their physical and social environment, Generate solutions to environment barriers, and Advocate for changes in the environment. WATCH: Video Interview with a Project TEAM Young Adult Collaborator
Developing a youth self-report version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-PRO)
This study aims to design a new questionnaire specifically for kids, teens, and young adults with developmental disabilities. The questionnaire will enable youth and young adults with disabilities to share opinions about their abilities and needs at home, school, and in their neighborhoods.
VocFit (Vocational Fit Assessment)
VocFit aims to provide a valid and reliable assessment of work skills for young people with intellectual disabilities. Moreover, it aims to match job market demands with the skills of the applicant, identifying areas for improvement.
Community Mobility Planning Process
This study will develop a personalized community mobility planning process to improve community mobility and related outcomes among adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mental Health Step Up Peer
Mental Health StepUp Peer aims to help young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) with their mental health. We want to learn what makes Mental Health StepUp Peer easy or hard to do in community settings.
Ready to Ride
Ready to Ride is an 8-week intervention that teaches young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities how to use public transportation safely and independently. In the first 3-4 weeks, young adults learn how to stay safe, how to talk with people in the community, how to plan a trip, and what to do when something unexpected happens. Then, young adults practice using public transportation with help from the Ready to Ride provider (peer supporter or staff) for 4-5 weeks until they can take trips on their own.