Turning disability into accessibility

Feb 28, 2019

2 min

Terrence Carolan, MSPT, MBA

As communities grow and modernize – are we making the proper accommodations for those with disabilities to live a fulfilling, productive, and independent life?


It’s a popular topic and one that we are now seeing being advocated more in many areas of everyday life. Accessibility laws and expectations are now ensuring that all aspects of education, business, transit, and health care are made available to everyone.


The concept is sound – but how are we as a community developing reasonable accommodations and community resources that allow all people to participate in the community and successfully live their life? Often, it’s not a matter of intentional exclusion, rather the issue simply hasn’t been considered and no plan exists.


And there are costs to not having a plan in place. Not addressing these “social determinants of health” (housing, transportation, etc.) affect healthcare outcomes and raise costs of hospitals, social services, and health care. Addressing these issues and improving accessibility may actually increase societal health, decrease long-term societal healthcare costs, and bolster the tax base.


But as we move forward there are a lot of questions in the community about how to approach accessibility:


  • What mechanisms are in place to gather input on needs, identify barriers, and consider requests for accommodation?
  • What types of accessibility needs exist of the people who will use different community settings? (Physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, developmental, etc.)?
  • What types of accessibility barriers exist (architectural, environmental, attitudinal, financial, transportation, etc.)?
  • How much do different accommodations cost?
  • How can community settings partner with people with disabilities and/or health and human service providers?
  • What specific ways can accessibility improve societal health?


And that’s where the experts from CARF can help. Christine M. MacDonell is the Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and International Aging Services/Medical Rehabilitation at CARF International. She can address the issue of accessibility as it relates to people who have experienced brain injury, stroke, cancer, amputation, and spinal cord injury. Christine is available to speak with media regarding this topic – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.



Connect with:
Terrence Carolan, MSPT, MBA

Terrence Carolan, MSPT, MBA

Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services

Terrence Carolan has more than 20 years of experience as a provider, educator, and administrator in the medical rehabilitation field.

Concussion RehabilitationElder mobility needsCare for Older AdultsAging with a disabilityEvidence-based practice initiative

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CARF International

2 min

Demystifying Relapse: 2-part series on substance use disorder recurrence and treatment

CARF International Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health Michael Johnson is a contributor of this terrific two-part series on substance use relapse from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. NATCON and partnering contributors from CARF International, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), and the Recovery Research Institute are excited to release the Demystifying Relapse series, which includes two issue briefs that explore the complex dynamics of substance use disorder recurrence and the difficulty of reengaging individuals in the recovery process. “I’m grateful to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for the opportunity to work with them on these two important documents. The U.S. is facing unprecedented challenges in treating persons with substance use disorders, with access to care continuing to be difficult for many. The field, the payers, and the public at large needs to take time to recalibrate how treatment and return to use are viewed in order to have realistic expectations for care, to destigmatize what it means for a person to return to use, and to ensure there is appropriate types of care available to those who need to re-enter the treatment systems,” said Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health Michael Johnson. “Only when we recognize that persons who return to use need to have care that is individualized to assist them to stabilize, not start over, can we better ensure that treatment systems are more accessible based on the needs of persons served. The treatment for any chronic illness can be difficult as the path to wellness is often not linear. I hope these two papers can start a dialogue on how to reframe the systems to better meet the needs of those who continue with the recurrence of symptoms.” Michael Johnson is the CARF International Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health. If you are looking to know more or connect with Michael, view his profile below to arrange an interview today.

2 min

#Expert Podcasts: How CARF Accreditation supports development and adds value

Thinking about accreditation for your rehabilitation facility? The newest Be Advised podcast is for you. Mary Free Bed’s Advisory Group podcast, Be Advised, is diving into the benefits of CARF Accreditation for health and human service organizations. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has been accrediting organizations since 1966. The guest for this episode is Terrence Carolan, managing director of the Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services for CARF International. Carolan has more than 20 years of experience in the field of medical rehabilitation as an administrator, provider, and educator. He holds two master’s degrees, one in physical therapy and one in business administration. Before joining CARF as the managing director, Terrence was a CARF surveyor for more than 10 years. In his managing director role, Terrence oversees CARF’s medical rehabilitation area which includes standards for: Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Program Residential Rehabilitation Program Home and Community Services Concussion Rehabilitation Program Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program Occupational Rehabilitation Program Occupational Rehabilitation Program–Comprehensive Services Vocational Services Independent Evaluation Services Case Management CARF also accredits specialty programs in the areas of: Pediatrics Amputation Brain injury Cancer Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Be Advised is hosted by Joyal Pavey, vice president of the Mary Free Bed Advisory Group. On this episode of Be Advised, Joyal and Terrence discuss: What makes CARF unique? The national and international span of CARF Common questions about the accreditation process Advice for first time accreditation What’s next for CARF in the coming five years You can check out the podcast here: Looking to know more about accreditation or connect with Terrence? View his profile below to arrange an interview today.

1 min

#Expert Podcasts: CARF Accreditation is a process, not an event

Recently, CARF International's Michael Johnson sat down with Simplifyance™ for a great conversation of all things accreditation.  The podcast link is provided below. Simplifyance™ had the privilege of speaking with Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health for CARF International. We delved into the world of accreditation, discussing its immense value, the supportive process for organizations during surveys, and uncovering key best practices. CARF is renowned for its commitment to ensuring excellence in healthcare delivery and service outcomes. Michael shared valuable insights into the accreditation process and shed light on how CARF assists organizations in achieving survey success. Michael emphasized the importance of person-centered care, evidence-based practices, and fostering a culture of accountability and learning. These elements are crucial in driving positive outcomes and delivering compassionate, effective care to those in need. And if you're a interested in knowing more about accreditation or the work CARF International does — let us help with your questions. Michael Johnson is Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF and is an expert in treatment strategies for mental health and substance use disorder. View his profile below to arrange an interview today.

View all posts