Niagara University Receives $80,000 Grant to Create Disability Awareness Training for Healthcare Professionals

Grant also supports continued training of NYS probation officers

Niagara University has received an $80,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to create specialized training for healthcare professionals and to continue its training in partnership with the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. This is the fourth year the Cabrini Foundation has supported this initiative, which provides industry-specific training that addresses response, challenges faced, and specific interaction skills in encountering individuals with disabilities.

The newest funding will expand the training of probation officers to additional areas throughout New York state and support the creation of Healthcare Professionals Disability Awareness Training, which is expected to improve health outcomes for persons with disabilities by enhancing providers' skills, familiarity, and confidence in regard to caring for their patients with disabilities. It will initially be offered to providers in the eight counties of Western New York.

The healthcare training will be developed and delivered through the university's recently established Institute on Disability Awareness, in collaboration with the university's College of Nursing.

"People with disabilities are at a higher risk of developing poorer health outcomes due to underlying health conditions or impairments and unmet health needs due to access and attitudinal barriers to health services and quality of care," said David V. Whalen, director of national advancement for the institute. "This grant will facilitate the development of customized training for healthcare professionals following the core template developed for our first responders to better prepare them to recognize, identify, approach, interact, and respond to their patients with disabilities."

The Institute on Disability Awareness at Niagara University is a preeminent resource for new approaches, ways of thinking, strategies, and solutions that intentionally foster inclusion, equity, and quality of life for people with disabilities. The holistic training and education center offers customized programs for sector-specific industries such as first responders (fire, police, EMS, 9-1-1), security, governmental agencies, corporate entities (HR), hospitality, healthcare, education, and other related professions, as well as training for the general public. For more information, visit https://ida.niagara.edu/.