Developing Policy-Oriented Research to Benefit People Living With Burn Injury: Key Policy Topics

Last Updated: 03/11/2026 

This resource helps researchers to conduct policy-focused research 
to support people with burn injuries. It outlines priorities related 
to people living with burn injuries and provides links to organizations 
advocating for these priorities. Individuals with burn injuries often 
face many challenges due to their injury, especially when it comes 
to accessing healthcare, finding employment and living independently. To help individuals with burn injuries access opportunities in these areas and foster their independence, it is important for burn researchers to identify and study key policy priorities. The organizations listed in this resource serve as potential partners that researchers can engage to make policy-oriented research more relevant to stakeholders. 

Key policy issue 1: Access to affordable healthcare

Individuals with burn injury often lack access to high quality affordable healthcare and face barriers to access rehabilitation services. 

• Health care access and long-term recovery care 
  • Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
• Medical insurance coverage for patient-centered access to rehabilitation 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
  • Disability Rights California (DRC) 
• Public assistance and safety net programs 
  • National Disability Institute (NDI) 
• Coverage for long-term services and supports 
  • The Commonwealth Fund 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 

Key policy issue 2: Employment and Independent Living

Individuals with burn injury face many challenges to find gainful employment, live independently, and gain a better life experience. 

•  Competitive integrated employment 
  • National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
  • APSE 1 
  • National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 
  • Disability Rights California (DRC) 
• Affordable housing 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
  • Center for Disability Rights 
  • Disability Rights California (DRC) 
  • National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

Key policy issue 3: Burn Prevention

Prevention efforts are a key factor in helping reduce the risk of burn injury. 

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 
• International Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) 
• Congressional Fire Services Institute 
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
• American Burn Association

Key policy issue 4: Disability rights

To achieve independence, individuals with burn injury need laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and other similar laws that protect against discrimination to be continually applied and advanced.

• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors 
• Face Equality International 
• American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

Key policy issue 5: Funding for Burn Injury Research

Funding for burn injury research is essential for advancing treatment practices that improve the health and wellness of individuals with burn injury. 

• American Burn Association 
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

Disclaimer

The contents of this policy brief were developed under grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers 90DP0082 and 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this brief do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.