Date Presented 04/04/2025
COVID-19 had significant impacts on nonprofit organizations (NPOs) serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including challenges with funding and service disruption. OTPs play a vital role in advocacy, ensuring continuity of care and promoting social participation during and after crises.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hannah Jeanette Laufenberg
Additional Authors and Speakers: Ainsley Apel, Caleb Buback, Clare Wangler, Elizabeth Kirsop, Samantha Steinbrenner-Dirr, Samantha Zimmer
Contributing Authors: Morgan Sikkink, Susanna J. McIntyre, Talia Joseph, Sabrina Kabakov, Allison Caudill, Emily Hickey, Karla Ausderau
PURPOSE: This study aims to understand the social and organizational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wisconsin’s disability-focused nonprofit organizations (NPOs), addressing unique challenges to inform targeted support and policy interventions.
DESIGN: The study utilizes data from two surveys: Survey 1 (2020) assessed impacts on Wisconsin NPOs broadly, and Survey 2 (2022) focused on Wisconsin NPOs serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants were recruited through NPO registries and direct contacts.
METHOD: Both surveys included Likert scales and yes/no questions. Overlapping questions were analyzed using T-tests to compare impacts on general NPOs and IDD-focused NPOs.
RESULTS: Analysis revealed that IDD-focused NPOs reported greater concerns about government funding, with 17.5% expressing extreme concern compared to 7.7% of general NPOs. 34.6% of general NPOs received emergency grants, while only 9.8% of IDD-focused NPOs did. Both surveys found emergency grants crucial for pandemic response and moderate concern about addressing vulnerable clients’ needs, though not statistically significant (p = 0.408). Minimal changes in staffing (p=.049) and volunteer levels (p=.47) were reported, indicating limited operational impact.
CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the challenges faced by IDD-focused NPOs during the pandemic, providing insights for targeted support and policy interventions.
IMPACT STATEMENT: OT practitioners play an essential role in supporting people with IDD during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. OT practitioners can use these findings to advocate for increased funding and resources, ensuring NPOs can maintain continuity of care. By emphasizing the importance of social participation and well-being, OT practitioners can help shape policies that enhance support systems for vulnerable populations, fostering resilience in both individuals and organizations.
References
Lord, B., Ihrke, D., Matthews, M., Katz, A. (2020, July). COVID-19 effect on Wisconsin’s non-profit sector. Helen Bader Institute. https://uwm.edu/hbi/wp-content/uploads/sites/435/2020/05/COVID-19-IFinal-051820.pdf
Lebenbaum, M., De Oliveira, C., McKiernan, J., Gagnon, F., & Laporte, A. (2024). COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing policies, and the non-profit sector volunteer force. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 53(1), 274–288.
Speckbacher, G. (2003). The economics of performance management in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 13(3), 267–281. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.15
Sundaram-Stukel, R. (2020). The Wisconsin economic and mental health experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Center of Research On the Wisconsin Economy. https://crowe.wisc.edu/the-wisconsin-economic-and-mental-health-experiences-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/
