OBJECTIVE To examine political participation following traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN Qualitative, participatory research via interviews and observations. SETTING Community. PARTICIPANTS 57 individuals with history of TBI and 28 family members (total 85). PROCEDURES Each participant was interviewed to discuss their experience of voting in 2007 or 2008. Data were coded using Grounded Theory to develop themes, metacodes, and theories. MEASURES not applicable. RESULTS Four themes emerged from the data: 1) People with TBI have barriers to voting; 2) The voting process can be improved for people with TBI; 3) Voting is the responsibility of members of society; 4) Voting is one way we have a voice in society. CONCLUSIONS The data support the importance of voting as an American right regardless of the presence of disability. While persons with TBI report voting represents their freedom and voice, there may be barriers that can threaten or limit their voice.

中文翻译：

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外伤性脑损伤患者投票授权和参与的定性检查

目的 调查创伤性脑损伤 (TBI) 后的政治参与。设计 通过访谈和观察进行的定性、参与式研究。设置社区。参与者 57 名有 TBI 病史的人和 28 名家庭成员（共 85 名）。程序 每位参与者都接受了采访，以讨论他们在 2007 年或 2008 年的投票经历。使用扎根理论对数据进行编码，以开发主题、元代码和理论。措施不适用。结果 数据中出现了四个主题：1) TBI 患者有投票障碍；2) 可以改进 TBI 患者的投票过程；3）投票是社会成员的责任；4) 投票是我们在社会上发表意见的一种方式。结论 数据支持投票作为美国权利的重要性，无论是否存在残疾。