Identifying Collective Efforts to Support Community Participation Among People With Multiple Sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) face significant challenges in community participation. While existing efforts primarily target individual-level barriers, broader system-level support remains underexplored. The objective of this study was to identify actionable system-level changes that support PwMS in community participation. Using a community-engaged research approach, we conducted an online community engagement meeting (CEM) with diverse MS community members. A community advisory board was involved in planning, implementation, and dissemination. The CEM featured a research presentation and facilitated discussions to identify potential solutions. Participants completed a post-event feedback survey. Twenty-one participants proposed specific recommendations for bridging information gaps, improving MS care, enhancing environmental accessibility, and combating ableism. Eleven survey respondents reported meaningful participation in the CEM. The recommendations were shared directly with a policymaker. This study provides an example of engaging community members in an action-oriented dissemination activity, generating insights that can inform future support efforts by professionals and policymakers.