Affiliations: University of Missouri-Columbia, MO, USA | [x] P.O. Box 980661, Richmond, VA 23298, USA, Tel.: +1 804 828 4233; Fax: +1 804 828 5074; E-mail: [email protected] | [y] Virginia Commonwealth University, MCV Campus, PO Box 980677, Richmond, VA 23298-0677, USA, Tel.: +1 804 828 5401; Fax: +1 804 828 6340; E-mail: [email protected]
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Kristofer J. Hagglund, PhD, Associate Dean of Health Policy, School of Health Professions, 507 Lewis Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Tel.: +1 573 882 7050; Fax: +1 573 884 8000; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Personal assistant services (PAS) are designed to support persons with disabilities in their routine performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) and to provide individuals with disability the opportunity to go to school, volunteer, obtain active employment, and participate in social and recreational activities. PAS are primary and essential to the realization of societal inclusion and personal freedom among persons with severe, disabling conditions. This paper reviews the personal assistance literature for persons with spinal cord injury and other disabilities. Evidence-based recommendations are made for PAS policy initiatives and future directions in PAS research.
Keywords: personal assistance, disability, spinal cord injury, community integration
