Having an understanding of the environments where people with disabilities live, work, and recreate is essential to understanding challenges, needs and appropriate resources for people with disabilities in the community.

Example:  The Kansas Disability and Health Program (DHP) recruited Kansans with disabilities to participate in state-level public health advisory councils.  These participants comprise the DHP Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board met with chronic disease managers to address health care barriers for people with disabilities.  By involving people with disabilities as part of their Advisory Board, DPH hopes all of their programs will reflect different perspectives and personal experiences with disability, and better address the needs of people with disabilities in the community.