Disability and Health Services Research Working Group Supports Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration to Advance Accessibility in Research
By Izabella Golley – July 25, 2025
Since its launch in March 2023, the Disability and Health Services Research Working Group has brought together researchers across Northwestern University’s Chicago and Evanston campuses, as well as Lurie Children’s Hospital and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, to advance disability-related research, mentorship, and collaboration. Members meet monthly during the academic year to hear from guest speakers and share works in progress, such as interpretive findings, knowledge translation, and the application of accessibility standards.
Co-founded by Tara Lagu, MD, MPH, Carolyn Foster, MD, MS, and Carol Haywood, PhD, OTR/L, the group has grown into a collaborative community of scholars dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes for people with disabilities. Haywood, who specializes in research at the intersection of disability and rehabilitation, is a core faculty member of the Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research (CHSOR). Aligned with CHSOR’s mission to advance equitable, patient‑centered health services and outcomes, the Center recognizes the vital role of the Disability and Health Services Research Working Group. Under its new Director, Norrina Allen, PhD,CHSOR remains firmly committed to providing the resources and collaborative infrastructure needed to sustain and expand the group’s impact.
Andrew Berry, PhD, a core faculty member of the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences in the Feinberg School of Medicine, became engaged early on to help co-lead the group and bring additional structure and expertise to support its shared goals of disability inclusion, accessibility, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The emphasis on interdisciplinary connection is part of what drew him to the group. “For me, the most thrilling aspect of working as a team scientist and human-centered design methodologist is discovering new colleagues and developing novel interdisciplinary collaborations,” Berry shared. “The working group has given me fresh ideas for designing supports for people with psychosocial disabilities, adding a new dimension to my research mission of redesigning health care to be more responsive to the values and capacities of people with complex health needs.”
A fundamental part of the group’s mission is a commitment to inclusive research practices that prioritize the voices and needs of people with disabilities. This aligns closely with CBITs’ focus on advancing access to digital mental health care, particularly for underserved communities, and amplifying users’ voices in the design and implementation process. One project, led by Haywood, aims to develop an electronic health record-based questionnaire for individuals to request accommodation prior to a healthcare visit. Co-design alongside people with disabilities ensures that the questionnaire and healthcare settings are responsive and accessible. This practice aligns closely with CBITs’ focus on advancing access to technology-enabled care, particularly for underserved communities, and amplifying users’ voices in the scientific process.
“This project is a good example of how members of the Disability and Health Services Working Group approach disability inclusion,” Berry explained. “We involve people with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the research, from defining research questions to generating ideas for interventions to implementing and evaluating those interventions in practice.”
The group’s commitment to inclusion also involves supporting the next generation of disability-focused researchers through mentorship. “We have been intentional in building opportunities for students and trainees to get involved in papers and projects,” Haywood said. “Our members include students, trainees, staff, early career, and more senior researchers to facilitate mentorship among peers and within a diverse community of scholars with rich personal and professional experiences.”
As the working group continues to grow and bring together researchers across Northwestern and its partner institutions, it remains focused on advancing equity in healthcare through research, collaboration, dissemination, and mentorship. New members are welcome at any time and are encouraged to join if they’re interested in disability-related research and healthcare.
For more information about how to get involved, please contact Carol Haywood (carol.haywood@northwestern.edu).