Access To Independence is recruiting people with disabilities for free health coaching, as completing a goal can be difficult, but having a one-on-one professional coach may help.
Participants will have free weekly Zoom sessions with an ATI staff member, where they can determine a health goal and be guided through it.
“It can be anything,” said Director of Community Impact Tina Carden. “If the person wanted to eat healthier, we could set the goal that they would eat one vegetable a day, or if they have an anxiety problem, we could work on meditation or deep-breathing exercises. It would be the whole gamut of anything that has to do with your health.”
“It supports people who participate in helping them set and reach goals for themselves, while making it a point to reassure them that they are their own experts in their life,” said Wellness Coordinator Jadelyn Phillips.
ATI staff members received specialized training and a $500 grant from the University of Montana, but the grant may increase based on participation.
Three other independent living centers are participating in Texas, Wyoming and Montana. Cortland was likely chosen due to it being a rural area, Carden said.
“I think they’re trying to see how easily people with disabilities are able to use technology for things like health coaching or doctors appointments,” Carden said. “We’ve definitely had people back off because of the technology aspect.”
If someone wants to participate, but doesn’t own the technology to do so, the University of Montana will provide an internet-enabled tablet for the duration of the sessions, Phillips said.
Four of 20 spots are filled right now. Participants must be over 18, have a disability, be able to speak English, use a computer with or without help, live in a rural area and be able to understand a research agreement form.
Sessions are supposed to begin Feb. 17. The first session is one hour, and the rest are 30 minutes. They run for 10 weeks.
“This is a pretty unique program that I haven’t seen in Cortland,” Phillips said. “It definitely could be an advantage to a lot of people.”
“Hopefully we’ll be able to help them get a little healthier, or get on the right track to being healthier,” Carden said. “Hopefully, they learn something about themselves.”
