Post-COVID-19 Reflections of Family Caregivers and Individuals With Disabilities in Northern Arizona

During COVID-19, research primarily focused on urban areas, with less attention on rural communities. Yet family caregivers to individuals with disabilities and individuals with disabilities in rural areas often encounter greater barriers to accessing health care and services during public health crises. This study aimed to identify and explore the experiences of family caregivers to individuals with disabilities and individuals with disabilities in rural northern Arizona during COVID-19. Fourteen semistructured interviews were conducted with family caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Using ecological systems theory, three major themes were identified: (a) existing barriers to accessing services and supports were exacerbated; (b) the northern Arizona disability community learned about and responded to COVID-19 in different ways; and (c) factors at multiple levels affected COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened preexisting barriers for individuals with disabilities in northern Arizona. Addressing the lack of service providers in rural areas, ensuring public health information is in plain language, and rebuilding trust with rural communities can help to promote health for individuals with disabilities during future public health crises.