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Proposal for a Disability Research Information
Center
Both the Research and Training Center on Independent
and Living (RTC/IL) at the University of Kansas and the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Center
at The Institute for Rehabilitation
Research have combined their substantial independent living
(IL) background, recognized leadership, network connections, and
intervention products to design a research demonstration,
dissemination, and utilization center, the Disability Research Information
Center (DRIC). The philosophical foundation for the DRIC is based
on consumer choice and control, independence, personal autonomy,
self-direction, barrier-free environments, non-dependency services,
and consumer leadership. Many of these philosophical concepts have
been pioneered or refined by leaders at both collaborating centers.
A broad target population and impacts for population subgroups
have been specified. The target population groups include:
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consumers (individuals with disabilities) and family members;
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centers for independent living (CILs), State Independent Living
Councils (SILCs), independent living programs (ILPs), and IL-related
service organizations; and
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policy makers and researchers.
Overall anticipated impacts include:
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Consumers and family members accessing and using relevant disability
research information;
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CILs, SILCs, ILPs, and IL-related services accessing and using
relevant disability information and assisting consumers to access
information;
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Policy makers using research needs and information on barriers
to establish research priorities;
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Researchers disseminating findings in formats and language
that consumers and family members can understand; and
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Research involving consumers, that reflects the overall research
information needs and removal of barriers to accessing research
information.
An operation model (center blueprint) is used to take defined
inputs (disability research information knowledge base and consumer
knowledge) and use them for particular center projects to achieve
the specified impacts on the target population. Research project
R-1 extensively involves consumers in identifying disability research
information needs and barriers to accessing research. R-2 is a research
and development project whose goal is to develop a research primer
which will be used to assist the first two target populations to
better understand research, how they can use it, and how they can
influence it. R-3 is a longitudinal study specifically designed
to use NCDDR consumer survey information and RTC/IL and survey information
to identify valid variables to evaluate dissemination and utilization,
and then to conduct annual surveys to identify dissemination and
utilization trends, and to produce a final report. The NCDDR will
work with theR-3 project team.
Demonstration, dissemination, and utilization project D-1 will
use the most current technology to develop an interactive and searchable
database that includes disability information that is easy to understand,
and that helps to reduce related barriers identified in R-1. D-2
is designed to develop and test a multitude of technical and conventional
strategies and methods that will facilitate use of the D-1 database,
stimulate research access, and provide needs and barrier information
to policy makers and barrier reduction information to researchers.
D-2 will also use existing systems on the Internet and DIMENET to
create an effective disability research information infrastructure.
D-3 involves a demonstration and applied intervention to provide
donated computers and equipment to consumers and also to provide
them with donated Internet access from the Better Business Bureau
and other sources.
Two technical assistance projects will disseminate knowledge and
products from all of the research and demonstration, dissemination,
and utilization projects. Conventional and modern technical methods
will be used. Because all projects involve the development of user
manuals, a large amount of technical assistance will be provided
by phone by those who developed them. T-1 is aimed at consumers,
family members, and practitioners who use the DRIC database, chat
rooms, donated equipment, listservs, and other options from D-1,
D-2, and D-3. Practitioners or advocates who wish to provide technical
assistance will also be trained. Technical support will be provided
to policy makers concerning needs, barriers, and other reports.
T-2 will provide assistance to researchers, including technical
assistance in developing research reports for consumers, family
members and practitioners involving consumers in their research,
and using options such as chat rooms to discuss research issues
with consumers.
The DRIC project is a joint collaboration between the RTC/IL at the University of Kansas
and ILRU at The Institute for Rehabilitation Research in Houston,
Texas. The Total Quality Management teams (TQM) are used across
both teams to conduct projects, provide center guidance, and manage
the DRIC. Each project includes staff and consumer consultants from
both centers who use their talents for specific tasks. Each project's
staff constitute a project team. Lex Frieden, Glen White, Ken Golden,
Laurel Richards, and Jim Budde constitute the Senior Management
Team. Frieden and White ensure consumer participation, as well as
the quality and usefulness of project products. White serves as
research director, Richards as technical assistance/training director,
and Golden as information systems manager. Budde will coordinate
all grants management functions within the universities and through
NI on Disability, monitor the progress of all projects, and provide
management information for the Senior Management Team. A number
of IL, dissemination and utilization, research, business, advocacy,
and other prominent leaders comprise the National Advisory Committee.
They will regularly review DRIC progress, development of all products,
and will provide linkages for further collaboration.
Introduction
Many consumers with disabilities, as well as their families, rarely
make use of the knowledge that comes from the research about their
lives. They are the ones who experience disabilities, but they often
have little or no input into the design or direction of the research
that studies them. They often feel most research does not concern
them or their issues.
In a 1998 letter to President Clinton, Marca Bristo, chairperson
of the National Council on Disability made these comments: "People
with disabilities have learned "that underlying values and assumptions
have guided research in ways that are not necessarily important
or helpful to them" She goes on to note that "disability is a natural
part of the human experience" and that "people with disabilities
should participate in the production and consumption of research
about them."
People with disabilities are not the only ones who make limited
use of research. Centers for Independent Living (CIL) may have some
access to research results, but they could have even more. Like
consumers, CILs also have little to no input in setting research
agendas. In general, most consumers, CILs, State Independent Living
Councils (SILC) and other Independent Living Programs (ILP) place
a low priority on research. They prefer to focus on service and
advocacy and often fail to see how research relates to these concerns.
What prompts these various groups to make so little use of research?
Here are some possible answers: 1) Consumers believe that little
useful research may be done in independent living; 2) As most often
written, research results are hard for lay people to understand;
3) Those who might want to read the research have trouble finding
it, unless they are knowledgeable of the Internet or can find or
afford professional research journals. 4) Finally, many lay people
do not really understand how research can enhance service and advocacyùthe
two issues most important to consumers and independent living organizations.
None of these answers mean that consumers and independent living
organizations may not find research useful. They only suggest that
these groups do not yet see how they might make use of research
(Brandt & Pope, 1997). In fact, in 1997, the National Council
on Independent Living (NCIL) stated its support for research. The
NCIL represents a national network of independent living centers
and their consumers. Its membership includes advocates, researchers,
practitioners, related organizations, and consumers. The support
from NCIL for readable and useful research is noteworthy. In its
"Position on the Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
as Amended," the NCIL clearly supports disability research.
NCIL encourages a search for new ways to disburse data to a broad
audience. This audience includes consumers with specific impairments
and those from diverse cultures. It also encourages making the formats,
language, and distribution of information more effective. The NCIL
document calls for a "variety of diverse mediums."
The NCIL paper makes a special example of the meaningful role the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NI
on Disability) can play. Under Section 202 (b)(9) of the Reauthorization
of the Rehabilitation Act, the NI on Disability is charged with
conducting research on consumers' satisfaction with the vocational
and rehabilitative research services they receive. Without question,
says the NCIL, the NI on Disability's efforts in this area would
benefit the 50-plus state rehabilitation advisory councils.
But NCIL notes that the NI on Disability's efforts to widely disseminate
research findings and educational materials to educators, practitioners,
consumers, their families, and advocates, are not "entirely successful."
Materials that are hard to read and are limited in access contribute
to that lack of success.
Under Section 202 (b) (9) of the Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation
Act, the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NI on Disability) has the responsibility for conducting research
concerning consumer satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation
research services. NCIL feels this is an example of how important
research findings could be widely disseminated to all audiences
using innovative methods. The NCIL states, "without question, the
50-plus state rehabilitation advisory councils (RACs) in the nation
would benefit from having findings from NI on Disability's efforts
in this area." The need is delineated as dissemination of "communication-friendly"
findings and technical assistance to conduct studies. The paper
calls for wider, more effective, and more accessible methods that
are targeted to specific populations, as well as clear planning
and assurances for carrying out the plan. Additionally, the NCIL
paper addresses the important role that consumers, family members,
CILs, and related IL organizations can play in guiding research
agendas and subsequent research. They know their needs best, are
in a position to translate their needs for agendas, are in an optimum
position to provide valuable information, and desire to participate.
Evidence suggests that consumers of CILs might see research as
useful. Seventy-two percent of consumers said disability research
information was useful (NCDDR, 1997). Twenty percent reported they
did not know and only 8% answered that it was not useful. It should
be noted however, that "research information" was not defined for
the survey respondents. Also it is unlikely many CIL consumers with
low-incomes use research journals. So the answers might be attributed
more to opinion than experience.
In the NCDDR study, popular media, including television and radios
(76%) and print media (73%) were the most common means of acquiring
useful information. Computers, electronic mail, and the Internet
received a much lower rating (27%). (Respondents were asked to check
all categories used.) The Internet promises to be one of the greatest
vehicles to effectively retrieving disability research information.
It could also be the most economical vehicle. Emerging technologies
through cable television (Web TV) could also prove useful.
The NCDDR respondents' use of electronic mail and the Internet
are not surprising in that these are less common among consumers
served by CILs. Print, television, and radio likely will be most
useful to both disseminate research information and stimulate use
of other mediums, such as the Internet.
Because consumers prefer print, television, radio, and similar
media does not mean these are the most effective or economical media.
These media are not interactive or searchable. Further study is
needed to find effective and economical strategies, methods, and
media that can be used to disseminate IL-related research information
and give broad access. In other words, the question is not what
consumers use, but what can they use effectively through intervention.
In the NCDDR study, consumers preferred regular print (66%) to
computer discs and on-line service, rated respectively at 25% and
26%. When consumers were asked if they received information from
the Internet, over 50% reported never using the Internet and 25%
reported using the Internet, often or very often. For the Internet
and electronic mail to be used effectively, a new infrastructure
will need to be created that meets consumers' needs and reduces
barriers. This infrastructure would give access to relevant and
understandable information. Consumers will also need help to acquire
computer hardware and to receive related training. CILs and related
service organizations might use the infrastructure to get needed
information for consumers in printed reports or disseminate new
information through print and popular media.
he NCDDR study reveled that almost half of the consumers (48%)
reported they knew how to find information from disability research.
Again, this data calls into question what consumers perceived as
"disability research" information. Low-income consumers who use
popular and print media as their main source of information would
not appear to be those who would use research journals. Additional
study is needed to identify the kinds of information consumers obtain
and utilize, what constitutes understandable and jargon-free language,
and what barriers exist to obtaining disability research information.
In addition, valid variables need to be identified to measure research
dissemination and utilization rates and related trends.
The Problem
While NIDDR has used its influence to promote the use of PAR and
while trends in the field have been to involve consumers, family
members, CILs, and related IL organizations as partners in research
and dissemination, there is much that remains to be accomplished.
Common problems are identified in the NCIL paper, current surveys,
and the Secretary's Priority 5. One of the key challenges is translating
research information so that it can be easily used in the IL field
and in the everyday lives of consumers (Brandt & Pope, 1997).
Assistance is needed from researchers to produce their research
results in an understandable form that can be readily used as well
as in the standard terminology and formats that are necessary for
publication in professional journals.
Another problem is that of establishing an effective, searchable
and interactive, disability research information database. There
is a need for this database to access and discuss IL information,
and to generate new research. With the use of resources such as
the Internet, DIMENET, cable television, the telephone, and various
media sources there are ample communication systems in existence.
Innovative strategies and methods such as world-wide web pages,
e-mail, chat rooms, interactive conferences, cable web TV, use of
information brokers, and other innovations need to be developed
and tested. The strategies and methods would be used for specific
dissemination, discussion, agenda setting, and knowledge diffusion
and exchange purposes. What is required is a research information
dissemination and utilization system, or subsystems, that make effective
use of existing information systems.
Independent living research information exists in a variety of
sources, but it has not been cataloged in an interactive, user-friendly
database that uses language understandable by consumers, family
members, and CIL, SILC and ILP staff.
In order to develop the disability research information system,
disability research database, and related products, it is critical
that consumer and family member needs, as well as CIL and related
agency needs, be identified. It is also important that they be involved
in the design process. Needs information is necessary to develop
and prioritize development and testing of the database and other
system components. Specific needs should be identified within Disability
research categories such as benefits advocacy, transportation, personal
assistance, low-income housing, and accessibility. In addition,
the individuals involved in the process are likely to help identify
innovative strategies and methods. They can contribute to the identification
of barriers to obtaining current research information, and potential
strategies and methods to overcome those barriers.
Even with a new disability research information system with a user-friendly
database containing understandable information, there is no guarantee
that it will be used. Additional strategies and methods will be
required to encourage utilization. For example, not all consumers
will have access to the disability research information. Strategies
and methods could involve donation of recycled computers and information
brokers who use the disability research information database and
system to obtain information that consumers request. A variety of
strategies and methods based on need should be refined, tested,
and developed into products and packages. The products and packages
could then be used by consumers, family members, advocates, CILs,
SILCs and ILPs with assurance that they are effective for accessing
relevant disability research information. The disability research
dissemination system, however, would not be effective in delivering
needed information to the target population unless it is effectively
implemented. This would require the use of technical assistance
and user training to operate the system and system components. This
effort should clearly be national in scope.
One of the key ingredients for success would be consumer knowledge
and willingness to work and collaborate in a disability research
information demonstration, dissemination, and utilization effort.
It would be desirable for researchers to use PAR to provide information
that is understandable, and to help communicate their findings to
consumer end-users (Brandt & Pope, 1997). Conversely, it would
be desirable for consumers, family members, and staff from CILs,
SILCs, and ILPs, to understand how research can be applied to their
needs and how to participate in it, and also to learn about realistic
expectations of research.
Project Goals:
The overall goal of this proposed DRRP is to establish a Disability
Research Information Center (DRIC) that will enable consumers, family
members, CILs, SILCs, ILPs, and related service agencies to use
relevant research information to advance the field of independent
living, and to meet the independent living needs of consumers and
their families.
The overall goal of this Center will be accomplished through several
activities. These include: a) careful selection of target population
groups, b) development of a survey tool to detect dissemination
and utilization trends, c) use of the Consumer Concerns Report Method,
d) development of a user-friendly research database, e) creation
of an information infrastructure to carry the research database,
f) facilitating database availability to consumers through donated
computers and free or low-cost Internet access, g) technical assistance
to ensure that disability and IL related information is disseminated
and used by the target audiences it is directed towards, and h)
National Advisory Committee involvement to help provide strategic
direction for this proposed Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Project. Each of these activities will be discussed in more detail
below:
1. Target Population Groups. Review and refinement of the
proposed target population groups include 1) consumers and family
members, 2) Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent
Living Councils (SILCs), Independent Living Programs (ILPs), and
related IL service personnel, 3) policy makers involved with research
that might facilitate IL, and 4) NI on Disability and other researchers
conducting studies that might facilitate independent living. This
will be accomplished with the direct involvement of IL leaders,
practitioners, policy makers, and researchers.
2. Survey Tool. Development of a survey tool to identify
valid variables that measure research dissemination and utilization.
These variables will be used in an annual survey to evaluate disability
information dissemination and utilization rates and trends over
a four-year period. These results will be reported to identified
target populations.
3. Use of Consumer Concerns Report Method. Involvement of
consumers in the development, implementation, and application of
surveys and focus groups to identify, prioritize, and discuss research
information that promotes independent living, and identifies barriers
to obtaining this information. The Consumer Concerns Report Method
(CCRM) will be used to accomplish this activity, and the results
will be reported to the target population and also used to guide
subsequent center projects. Additionally, the CCRM results will
be provided to NI on Disability and OSERS to assist in setting new
research, dissemination and training priorities.
4. Database. Development, testing, and maintenance of a
searchable and interactive database using disability information
needs and barriers to accessing information. The database will be
refined through consumer feedback and will include relevant and
understandable information that will be used by the target population
to enhance independent living.
5. Information Infrastructure. Development and testing of
intervention products and packages that can be used effectively
to implement and maintain a disability research information system
based on the Internet, DIMENET, cable television, and other existing
systems. These products and packages will comprise a new infrastructure
to effectively disseminate disability research information to the
target population, and will be developed using disability information
needs and barriers to accessing information, innovative ideas, and
direct consumer involvement.
6. Computer Access. Development of an intervention package
that provides consumers and their family members with donated computers,
and on-line access time and training that will facilitate their
use of the Internet to access the Center's database and other resources.
The intervention will utilize existing computer recycling projects
and donated Internet time.
7. Technical Assistance. Provision of technical assistance
that will facilitate consumer and family member use of the infrastructure
that has been created using products developed for the Disability
research information system, as well as an interactive searchable
database. This activity will, at the same time, enhance NI on Disability
projects and priorities, consumer publications, and the clarity
of information from researchers and its dissemination to the specified
target populations.
8. National Advisory Committee. Development of a National
Advisory Team, including IL leaders, consumers, and family members,
that will facilitate strategic center guidance and maximize project
outcomes.
Goals will be addressed in collaboration with the NCDDR and be
in harmony with the IL philosophies and concepts of consumer choice
and control, independence, personal autonomy, self-direction, barrier-free
environments, and strategic consumer leadership.
Major Collaboration
A Disability Research Information Center (DRIC) is proposed as
a joint venture by the Research and Training Center on Independent
Living at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas and the Independent
Living Research Utilization Center at The Institute for Rehabilitation
Research in Houston, Texas. Both Centers have a long and rich history
involving disability research, training, technical assistance, dissemination
and utilization, and integral consumer participation, some of which
dates back to the 1970s. Both centers are also steeped in the philosophy
of independent living involving consumer choice and control, independence,
personal autonomy, self-direction, barrier-free environments, and
strategic consumer leadership. Directors and staff not only apply
the philosophy routinely, but many have served to pioneer or enhance
the philosophy. Both centers bring a wealth of independent living
intervention products, dissemination and utilization knowledge,
and independent living background, including a combination of 75
years of experience. Both centers employ seasoned and recognized
directors and staff . The above background, history, talents, products,
and experience has been concentrated on the design of an effective
Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) for independent
living research information demonstration, dissemination, and utilization.
Both the RTC/IL and ILRU have a combined total of over 75 years
of research and dissemination experience. The RTC/IL has disseminated
over one million IL products through a variety of methods from direct
mail to the Internet. Home pages display over 50 clearly-described
Disability research and IL intervention products. While research
is published in professional journals, intervention products are
disseminated directly to consumers, family members, and service
providers in accessible formats and through a variety of mediums--including
e-mail, print, videotape, braille, audiotape, and computer disks
with ASCII text.
ILRU has developed and maintained a current extensive mailing list
of consumers, consumer leaders, CILs, and IL organizations. This
mailing list is used for a variety of purposes from research to
information and product dissemination. Two key publications are
sent to subsets of the target population on the mailing list. The
newsletter, "Insights," contains a variety of IL information (including
research information). The publication, "Staying on Track," deals
with CIL management issues. ILRU was an early adopter of the Internet
and DIMENET. These systems were not only adopted to disseminate
Disability research and other information, but to study the utility
for the systems in enhancing the IL field. ILRU also provides materials
in the same alternate formats as RTC/IL, and, in addition, uses
a variety of mass media innovative strategies.
Three broad, but distinct, target population groups have been identified.
Strategic research, demonstration, dissemination, and utilization
impacts have been planned for each of the three groups. These three
target population groups include
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consumers with disabilities and family members;
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centers for independent living (CILs), State Independent Living
Councils (SILCs) and related independent living programs (ILPs),
and
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IL-related policy makers and researchers
Each of these populations will be briefly described below:
Consumers and Family Members. The consumer target population
involves all individuals with disabilities. The term "family members"
is used in a broad sense to define this subset of the target population.
Family does not include just immediate family members, but friends,
personal assistants, and advocates who play an active role in assisting
or encouraging consumers to achieve their independent living goals.
Consumers and family members are considered the ultimate target
group of the Center's activities. All Center products, databases,
strategies, technical assistance, and research will be geared to
improve both information service and information flow to consumers
and family members.
CILs, SILCs, ILPs, and Related Organizations. The second
target population includes CILs, SILCs, and other IL organizations
that could serve as research information brokers and also users
of disability research information. While this target population
group would assist consumers to obtain disability research information,
they would also use the information to enhance services and planning.
There are approximately 400 CILs and independent living and related
programs and services in the U.S., and a SILC for each of the 50
states and U.S. territories. In addition to the CILs, ILPs, and
SILCs, other target populations who might benefit from this DRIC
include Disability Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACS),
State Assistive Technology projects, Regional Rehabilitation Continuing
Education Programs, and Rehabilitation Information Exchange projects.
Policy Makers and Researchers. The third target group includes
policy makers at federal, state, regional, and local levels, and
researchers who are involved with research related to disability,
rehabilitation, and independent living. One of the goals of this
Center is to provide consumer-identified research priorities that
shall address disability, IL, and rehabilitation research. Additionally,
consumers will clearly identify barriers to obtaining and using
research information to help persons with disabilities live more
independently. Information about these barriers and needs will be
provided to policy makers in The Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) with primary feedback going to NI
on Disability to assist with future research priorities. Information
will also be provided to the National Council on Disability (NCD).
The Center will also make recommendations to NI on Disability which
would help NI on Disability researchers to make their research information
more accessible and usable by CILs and consumers with varying disabilities.
The project will also work to communicate project findings to scientists
who are conducting research for other federal and private agencies,
that share some of the same goals as NI on Disability (e.g., NCMRR,
CDC, Veterans Administration, Paralyzed Veterans of America).
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Research Activities
The Center considers research to be an integral part of its overall
mission. The three research projects provide a strong triad in helping
to establish, shape, and monitor the Center's activities. These
projects provide a dynamic relationship in informing the manner
and content in which the dissemination and training projects will
be developed. Two of the three research projects involve national
surveys while the other project aims to develop a research primer
to aid consumers and their family members to better understand the
basic taxonomy and concepts of research. A thumbnail sketch of these
research projects will be described below in an annotation format.
R-1 Consumer Concerns Report Needs Assessment: Identifying
Disability research Needs and Barriers. This project is designed
specifically to meet the Secretary's Priority 5 requirements 2 ("Identify
the barriers to increased use of research information by persons
with disabilities.") and 3 ("Based on the input of persons with
disabilities, identify research that promotes independent living.").
Research project R-1 will involve consumers developing a Consumer
Concerns Report Method survey that will be developed and distributed
to approximately 3,000 participants across the US. This survey method
was chosen due to its priority in receiving consumer input. CCRM
promotes the use of consumers being a central component in developing
the survey, reviewing the survey results, and helping to prioritize
research information, and identifying innovative solutions to make
IL-related research more accessible to consumers with disabilities.
(
R-2 Research Primer Development and Evaluation for consumers
with Disabilities who have Limited Experience with Research.
Research project R-2 is designed specifically to enable consumers
to build their capacity to understand and, at a rudimentary level,
use research to facilitate independent living. A user-friendly "research
primer" will be developed and tested for this purpose. While some
of the Center projects seek to make the research information more
accessible and useable for consumers, this proposed project seeks
to help consumers better understand some of the basics of research-including
the terminology used, the types of designs used, and tips on how
to read research studies. While there is no specific priority requirement
for this project, it has been included based on the need to better
involve consumers and remove barriers that might result from understanding
IL-related research. The project relates to the second and fifth
requirements under this proposed priority: "Identify the barriers
to increased use of research information by persons with disabilities;"
and "Develop and disseminate strategies that other information providers,
such as CILs, NI on Disability-funded grantees, and consumer publications,
can use to increase the utilization of research to promote independent
living, and provide technical assistance to those entities to increase
the dissemination and utilization of this information."
R-3 Longitudinal Study of Independent Living Research Information
Using the NCDDR Study as Baseline. R-3 will be used to evaluate
dissemination and utilization needs and trends of the three target
population groups described above. This project is designed to meet
the #1 requirement of the Secretary's Priority 5, "Using the NCDDR
survey results as baseline information, further assess the use of
research information to promote independent living."
This research project will use selected information from the NCDDR
survey, but it will also use information from the ILRU and RTC/IL
survey, and other sources such as the National Advisory Committee.
A longitudinal database will be established from this information
based on annual surveys sent to IL consumers and service providers.
This information will help guide the Center's Disability research
information dissemination and utilization projects and related activities.
Demonstration, Dissemination, and Utilization Activities.
The Center considers dissemination and utilization of information
as a critical part of its overall mission. Demonstration, dissemination,
and utilization projects, which are part of the DRIC's project portfolio,
will be discussed below. Thumbnail sketches will be presented for
D-1 "Disability Research Dissemination Database," D-2 "Disability
Interactive Resource Website and Information Service," and D-3 "Stimulating
Use of Research Facts on the Internet."
The first demonstration, dissemination, and utilization project,
D-1 (D1-Developing and Maintaining an Interactive Disability
research Information Database to Facilitate Use and Understanding)
is designed specifically to integrate priority Disability research
information into one central database. This database will include
abstracts of research that are written in language that is understandable
to consumers, family members, and practitioners and can be accessed
through the World Wide Web. The database will be developed according
to the disability research information priorities identified in
R-1 and the National Advisory Committee. Barrier information from
R-1 will also be used to design a user-friendly, interactive, and
searchable database.
The database will serve as the core resource and depository for
disability research information. This searchable and interactive
database on the WWW will be organized by IL categories. Users of
the system will be able to provide feedback on both the research
information and utility of the database. DRIC will summarize the
feedback and relay it to researchers and policy makers. This database
will be accessible in compliance with Web Accessibility Initiative
(WAI) guidelines.
Project D-2 (Disability Interactive Resource Website and Information
Service - DIRWIS) is a comprehensive project that involves the
use of a variety of strategy options, information systems, and technology
to promote use of Disability research information. Strategies are
linked to D-1 and include options such as chat rooms, news groups
and listservs, virtual library on IL, and cable-based web television.
Strategies also include the use of brokers and popular and print
media to both share information, and provide a link to the disability
research information database developed through D-1. The project
will also link NARIC, NCDRR, and other existing information databases
to the website to create a new infrastructure. The DIRWIS will be
in place beyond the life of this project grant through dedicated
network space and through incorporation of these activities in future
projects.
Project D-2 is also designed to develop and test effective strategies
for providing consumers' research priorities and information to
policy makers and researchers. One strategy would be to use executive
briefs to enable policy makers to improve research policy, agendas,
and allocation of funding. Another strategy would be to make disability
research information, research priorities, and barrier information
available to researchers to refine their research and dissemination
and utilization strategies and procedures. This information would
be disseminated at conferences such as NARRTC. In particular, the
format and methods from D-1, to develop understandable and usable
information through abstracts, would be included in a package for
researchers. This project is designed also to meet the Secretary's
Priority 5 requirements 4, 5, and 6.
Project D-3 "Stimulating Use of Research Facts on the Internet,"
is designed specifically to acquire and place donated computer and
information system hardware in the hands of consumers and family
members. A number of CILs have programs to recycle donated equipment
and give it to consumers and family members. Independence, Incorporated
in Lawrence, Kansas is an example of one such program and has operated
a donation and recycle program for several years which not only
provides consumers and family members with equipment, but also provides
the capability to access systems that enhance their independent
living.
Project D-3 has three goals. The first goal is designed to provide
computer equipment to consumers and family members unable to purchase
this hardware. The second goal is to provide training to use the
hardware. The third goal is to acquire donated Internet time through
the Better Business Bureau and other organizations that consumers
and family members can use to access disability research and other
information.
Project D-3 is also a demonstration project which evaluates this
innovative strategy and develops procedures that other CILs and
related IL organizations can use and replicate. This project is
designed to meet the Secretary's Priority 5 requirements 4, 5, and
6.
Technical Assistance.
Project T-1, "Making Disability Research Information Accessible
to Consumers, Family Members, Centers, Other Service Providers,
and Advocates," is designed to provide a wide variety of technical
assistance to the first two target population groups of consumers,
family members, CILs, SILCs, and ILPs. Products, developed in D-1
and D-2 such as the new disability research information database
and information system options, will be used as the basis for technical
assistance.
Two types of technical assistance will be provided. First, technical
assistance, in conjunction with the D-2 dissemination options will
be provided to train consumers to use the database and information
system options, and to operate a computer recycling program. This
training will be directed toward the first two target population
groups who have less access to computer training. Second, technical
assistance will be provided to CILs, ILPs, related IL services,
and consumer organizations to train consumers to use the database,
information system options, computer recycling program, and information
broker services. Operator manuals and similar products will be developed
and used for both types of technical assistance.
These technical assistance approaches will enable consumers, CIL,
and SILC staff access to disability research information and help
them assist others to use the database and system options. Technical
assistance to users will be provided by phone in the same way that
software companies provide technical assistance to their customers.
A directory of technical assistance providers will be included with
each product.
Project T-2, "Providing a Wide Range of Technical Assistance
to the Target population to Facilitate Use of All Disability research
Information Components," is designed to assist researchers to
enhance the social validity of their research. Information and products
such as D-1 abstracting or R-1 Disability research information needs
and barriers information, will be used to provide technical assistance
that will promote consumer-users' better understanding of researchers'
findings. Information will also be provided to policy makers in
much the same way.
In addition to the telephone, demonstration and technical assistance
will be provided on-site at regional and national conferences.
Beneficial Impact on the Target Population
The overall impacts on the target populations are as follows:
1. Consumers are able to access and utilize research information
relevant to their needs as well as consumer choice and control,
independence, personal autonomy, self-direction, barrier-free environments,
and non-dependency creating services. Increases in the frequency
of information that consumers both access and use will serve as
the key measure of impact.
2. The overall impact on CILs, SILCs, and ILPs will be their additional
capacity to: a) access and use disability research information for
their organizational needs, and b) assist consumers to access disability
research information. In effect, the impact will allow location
and use of disability research information and system and infrastructure
to obtain and utilize research information that benefits consumers,
CILs, policy makers, and researchers. The frequency of searches
and information use in providing consumers and the other target
groups with disability research information will be a central impact
measure. These will be measured by the number of daily hits and
the variety of IP addresses assessing the home pages. Further, the
number of information requests via home page e-mail will also be
cataloged.
3. The overall impact on policy makers will be the allocation of
research based on consumer-identified research priorities resulting
from the Center's consumer participatory influenced work and products.
In other words, legislation and funding priorities will more accurately
reflect the needs of consumers. Similarly, the type of research
that researchers conduct will more accurately reflect consumer needs.
Researchers will also disseminate their findings in language and
formats that can easily be used by consumers specifically in arenas
outside of professional journals. Thus, the planned impact for this
population will include 1) comparisons of Disability research agendas
with consumer priorities, 2) reduction of information barriers with
consumer-identified priorities, 3) research funding allocation directly
related to consumer priorities, 4) potential increases in field-initiated
research priorities that are related to consumer-identified priorities,
and 5) the quality of research information that is accessible and
understandable for consumers.
Impacts on all three target populations will be tracked through
R-3, involving the longitudinal study of research dissemination
and utilization and also the Center's evaluation system.
UTILIZATION ACTIVITIES DESIGN
The extent to which potential new users of the information have
a practical use for that information will be assured by the various
mechanisms for determining subject matter of the database and prioritization
of the issues. Principally, they include using the Consumer Concerns
Report Method, conducting focus groups with consumers and representatives
of independent living centers, making tallies of inquiries made
on the website, and collecting data from the online survey incorporated
into the website. The likelihood that users will actually adopt
practices for utilized information obtained through the center is
very high for three very important reasons. First, the information
which will be made available in the database will be determined
by input from consumers. Second, the utility of the information
deposited in and available for withdrawal from the database will
be validated and tested by consumers. Third, unlike some libraries
or resource centers where information is given with no interpretation
or support, the disability research information center will support
information given to consumers through a variety of means:
-
Technical assistance will be available by e-mail and other
electronic means.
-
Technical assistance will also be available by telephone and
conventional mail.
-
Training will be provided to independent living centers and
other community-based brokers about how to support consumers
once they have received information.
-
Resource kits will be available via the World Wide Web and
by mail for consumers to use as aids for interpreting and applying
research information.
-
Peer support will be available via chat rooms, bulletin boards,
and e-mail on the World Wide Web.
-
Fact sheets highlighting frequently asked questions and providing
detailed information about the subject matter addressed by these
questions will be circulated through listservs on the Internet,
posted on websites, incorporated into newsletters, and, in some
cases, mailed directly to consumers.
Together, these and other forms of support for consumers will
ensure that the information obtained by users can be understood
and used appropriately.
EVALUATION PLAN
In order to determine the quality and usefulness of the disability
interactive resource website and information service, data on usage
by different target groups will be gathered and summarized. Monthly
statistical reports will be created from the website to track and
profile the number of contacts for each topic area. Interactive
surveys and e-mail evaluation forms will be placed on the website,
encouraging users to evaluate the service and to make recommendations
for improvements and additional features. Additionally, the online
survey described above will provide center staff with another source
of information about relevant consumer information needs and priorities.
CONTINUATION OF PROJECT BEYOND GRANT CYCLE
The final objective for this project is to sustain activity beyond
the period of this grant. After the initial start-up costs, the
use of electronic communication tools for dissemination of information
can be maintained at a relatively low cost. As e-mail and Internet
capabilities become increasingly available to businesses, service
organizations, advocacy groups, and consumers in their homes, they
will provide a cost-effective means of delivering information on
a range of topics.
Collaboration with clearinghouses, research and training centers
and other information utilization and research organizations will
be an important part of the collection and dissemination of information
for this project. The sharing of information with NARIC, other information
clearinghouses, and information services of other RTCs, and NI on
Disability-sponsored programs will be on-going and will help to
assure that information and other products generated through project
activities will be available beyond the period of grant funding.
D-2 Timeline HERE
D-3: Stimulating Use of Research Facts on the Internet (or SURFIN'
USA)
ABSTRACT:
This demonstration project will assist persons with disabilities
to increase their use of information technologies such as the Internet
by providing them with equipment, skills, and free or affordable
Internet connections. The project also will enhance the capacity
of Centers for Independent Living (CIL) to assist persons with disabilities
to access information technologies by providing CILs with the information
and resources needed to establish computer recycling and Internet
connectivity programs.
PERSONNEL:
Name and Degree Position % Time
Lex Frieden, M.A. Co-Director/P.I. 6%
Ken Golden, M.A. Information System Manager 10%
Carri George Research Assistant . 25%
Dawn Heinsohn Research Assistant 20%
PROJECT TIME FRAME: 5 years
RESPONSIVENESS TO A PRIORITY:
Secretary's Priority 5, Requirement (6): Develop and implement
strategies to assist persons with disabilities to increase their
use of existing and future information technologies such as the
Internet.
This project addresses research information that people with disabilities
can use to make a difference in their daily lives and their ability
to access that information. Whereas D1 is designed to gather and
process research information and convert it to a format which consumers
and other non-researchers can understand and use, and whereas D2
provides that information through gateways or doors on the Internet
and through other mechanisms, D3 will provide people with disabilities
with the hardware, software, Internet connection, and skills they
need to be able to benefit from those resources. This project will
help build an infrastructure that will enable people with disabilities
to use existing and emerging information technologies. Consumers
will have the capacity to acquire information that enhances their
ability to live independently. Providing consumers with the equipment
and skills required to access information on the Internet and giving
CILs the means to assist consumers in acquiring needed equipment
and skills will, as stated in the background information of the
RFP, "maximize the full inclusion and integration into society,
employment, independent living, family support, and economic and
social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities."
TARGET POPULATION:
The target populations of this project include consumers, CIL staff,
and other information brokers as described above.
BACKGROUND:
The background information section of the RFP states, "The Internet
is a primary medium for the dissemination of disability information.
The Internet allows this information to be available to persons
with disabilities in daily life settings, rather than requiring
travel to workshops and conferences." As noted by the Department
of Education in the current Request for Proposals, the Internet
can be a powerful tool, particularly for persons with disabilities,
providing them with access to information which they might not otherwise
be able to obtain because of barriers such as distance, inaccessible
formats, transportation, and architectural limitations. However,
the results of a survey study conducted by the National Center for
the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) indicated that
50% of the persons with disabilities surveyed had never used the
Internet to obtain information.
While the NCDDR survey indicated that most people with disabilities
are not taking advantage of the information available on the Internet,
the reason is not clear. Information received directly from consumers
and staff of CILs suggests that one of the primary reasons for the
underutilization of the Internet as an information resource is due
to a lack of access to computers. While the RFP notes that "many
institutions, such as public libraries, churches, or places other
than employment or educational sites are increasingly providing
alternate points of free access, consumers' abilities to take advantage
of these opportunities are limited. Transportation, architectural
barriers, and living in rural areas can prevent persons with disabilities
from gaining access to the places that provide free use of computer
equipment. The hardware and software provided often do not include
accommodations for users with physical or sensory disabilities.
Developing computer skills requires practice, but practice requires
access to a computer. It is difficult for persons to develop those
skills when they are limited in the amount of time they are able
to use the computer, as many public institutions, such as libraries,
allow each user only 15 to 30 minutes each day. When individuals
have their own equipment, barriers such as transportation, inaccessible
buildings, time schedules are eliminated. Owning a computer provides
the opportunity for a person with a disability to practice and develop
the skills needed to be competent in the use of computers. It also
grants the person with a disability control over when and how often
he or she may access information on the Internet.
Other options for accessing information on the Internet, such as
WebTV have recently become available to the private sector. Using
a WebTV connection, people are able to access the Internet without
the use of computers. Experts predict that other low-cost avenues
for accessing the Internet using "set-top" boxes will be available
in the very near future. These new technologies provide options
to the user who may not have an interest in having and using a computer
but would still like to have access to the information available
through the Internet. It should be noted that these alternative
Internet access options still require specialized equipment and
monthly access payments to an Internet service provider (ISP). However,
they do expand the range of options available to people wishing
to access the Internet.
Access to the Internet, whether through the use of a computer or
WebTV, involves specialized and expensive equipment, as well as
monthly fees to an Internet service provider. Cost has been a major
barrier, often preventing people with disabilities from gaining
access to this information technology. The National Council on Disability's
1996 publication, Achieving Independence, cites numerous references
supporting the finding that, as a group, people with disabilities
are more often unemployed or underemployed and poor, as compared
to those without a disability.
"People with disabilities are poorer than people without disabilities.
In January 1995, 30% of people with work disabilities had incomes
below the poverty level, compared with 10.2% of the working-age
population without work disabilities. Of those with severe work
disabilities, 35.8% had incomes below the poverty level (LaPlante
et al. 1996)" (pp. 15)."
"While the average family income for all families in 1995 was $46,478,
it was only $28,067 for families of people with disabilities. Among
families with disabilities, those who were White had an average
family income of $30,216, while those who were minorities had an
average family income of $20,587 (Yelin 1996)" (pp. 15).
"People with disabilities are twice as likely as people without
disabilities to be unemployed. In 1995, 10.1 percent of the population
aged 16-64, or 16.9 million people, had a work disability. Of these,
11.4 million had a severe work limitation and were not participating
in the labor force, with a cost to society of about $150 billion
(LaPlante 1995)." (pp.16) National Council on Disability 1996b
CILs are looking for ways to overcome these economic barriers by
providing hardware, software, and Internet connections for persons
with disabilities. ILRU recently conducted a national teleconference
training program on using the Internet to enhance advocacy efforts.
Staff and consumers of CILs asked the presenters and other participants
for information on how to provide computer equipment and connectivity
to persons with disabilities at a reduced or no cost. Many of the
comments on the evaluation forms for the training highlighted the
importance of this issue.
Once persons with disabilities are connected to the Internet, they
can begin to access the vast amount of information available, including
local, national and international news, legislation, job postings,
and most importantly for the purpose of this project, research information
which may help them reach goals of independent living. Information
available on the Internet is constantly updated, so rapidly, in
fact, that traditional information sources, such as television and
print media--sources preferred by consumers in the NCDDR survey--cannot
keep up. In an age when information is a commodity, persons with
disabilities will become more disenfranchised without access to
information and services available on the Internet. The report,
Access to the Information Highway and Emerging Information Technologies
by People with Disabilities, published by the National Council on
Disability in September 1996, notes the following:
"NII [National Information Infrastructure] has the potential to
level the playing field in many areas of life, but it can also pose
new barriers. . . .For people with disabilities, NII provides all
the advantages provided to everyone else, plus some special ones."
The special advantages include the following:
Drastically increasing the ability of individuals with some types
of disabilities (including visual, hearing, physical, and cognitive/language
impairments) to access and use information.
Decreasing the personal isolation that individuals experience because
of restrictions in their ability to move about, communicate, or
get together with others sharing their interests or situation.
Allowing individuals to interact with others in a way that makes
their disability invisible or irrelevant.
Allowing convenient access to educational and medical services.
. . . Anyone who cannot afford or who cannot physically access and
use NII will be at a severe disadvantage. Inaccessibility poses
a special risk for individuals with disabilities. National Council
on Disability, 1996b.
Some CILs and other organizations have developed successful computer
recycling and Internet connection programs which may be replicated
in other centers. During an ILRU focus group at the National Conference
on Independent Living in May 1998, one CIL staff member described
her center's program: "We have a new initiative that we started
last year. Given that knowledge is power, our overall mission is
to get that information into the hands of the consumer. There's
just such great opportunities for people in so many areas if they're
able to be connected with the net [Internet]. You can get computers
from everybody. We have people with the expertise to fix them up
if they're not running, and we're going to get people to come in
and help work on this themselves--like the consumers--and we're
going to give them the computer. It's not going to belong to the
state; it's going to belong to them. We're looking for a little
exchange or volunteer hours--there are different things they can
do--but we're not just handing them the computer. They're going
to feel like they've been a part of this whole process. We're going
to hook them up to DIMENET--it's free. We're going to start newsgroups
for people in our areas and that's going to solve a lot of problems
for people that aren't able to get into the center. We're going
to be able to communicate that way. It's going to be a gradual process,
but we're hoping that it's really going to take off once it gets
going."
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
1. Conduct in-depth assessments using case study methods of selected
centers for independent living and other non-profit agencies that
have developed successful computer recycling and Internet connectivity
programs.
2. Examine data from these assessment activities in light of the
implication for centers and non-profit organizations, and develop
recommendations about the various components of computer recycling
and Internet connectivity programs that appear to be most effective
in different situations.
3. Through a partnership with the Better Business Bureau Consumer
Education Foundation, involve Better Business Bureau (BBB) members
nationwide in recycling and connectivity projects in their communities
by linking them with CILs and non-profit organizations that have
existing recycling and Internet connectivity programs or to those
which may be in the process of developing such programs.
4. Incorporating findings from the analyses of the case studies,
develop technical assistance kits which will include step-by-step
procedures for conducting computer recycling and Internet connectivity
programs. Kits will include information on how to contact businesses
and organizations for donations, information on tax benefits for
companies donating computers, sample forms and letters, information
on how to estimate storage needs, etc. The kits will also include
suggestions about peer role-modeling approaches to training, and
resources and ideas for refurbishing computers--such as collaborating
with local trade schools, colleges, professional groups and BBB
members.
5. Evaluate a prototype kit and collaborative approach to a connectivity
program by facilitating the establishment of a model program at
a CIL.
6. Gather data from the evaluation, including feedback from consumers,
consultants, and the Better Business Bureau Consumer Education Foundation
in attempt to refine the technical assistance kit.
7. Using the revised kit, conduct demonstration projects at two
or three CILs for a period of one year.
8. Utilize information gathered from the demonstrations to refine
the technical assistance kits.
9. Gather and evaluate data on demonstration program consumers'
use of the Internet to acquire disability research information pertinent
to independent living.
10. Measure the impact of the demonstration programs on centers
and consumers using surveys with Likert scales.
11. Nationally disseminate refined and packaged technical assistance
kits, including information from the evaluations, to CILs and other
organizations.
PROJECT APPROACH AND METHODS:
(i) The extent to which the proposed demonstration activities build
on previous research, testing, or practices (3 points).
CILs and other non-profit organizations have developed successful
programs for recycling donated computer equipment and providing
computers to persons with disabilities at little or no cost. While
each program is unique to the particular organization and community
where it is located, basic procedures, forms, and first steps could
be adapted to fit other CILs and related organizations.
For the first year of the project, staff will conduct case studies
in CILs and other non-profit organizations which have established
successful computer recycling and Internet connectivity programs.
The following components of these programs will be evaluated to
identify successful practices which could be replicated at other
centers and organizations:
Donations--how are donations solicited? From whom? How are they
stored? How are they refurbished? Could centers collaborate with
other groups (trade schools, vocational/technical programs, professional
associations, computer user groups, BBB, etc.) to get computers
refurbished and to assist with Internet connectivity?
Distribution--is there a demand for computer equipment among people
with disabilities? How did centers evaluate or document demand when
deciding to start the program? How are the recipients selected?
Do the recipients contribute something in exchange for the computer
(volunteer service, payments, etc.)? How do recipients deal with
breakdowns that may occur in the future? Where do they obtain technical
support? Is software included in the distribution? Are adaptive
devices or software included? If not, how do consumers obtain them?
Training--how are consumers trained? does the center provide the
training? Is it individual, in groups, in a classroom, self-taught?
Who is the trainer? What are his/her credentials? Is there a standard
curriculum or lesson plan? What is included in the training--basics
(turning on the computer, files, etc), programs (word processing,
etc), searching the Internet? Is the training provided before or
after the consumer receives equipment?
Internet access--how do consumers get access to the Internet? What
options are available in the community? What are the costs? Are
there other costs besides the monthly fee (telephone line, etc.)?
How can centers help consumers access the Internet? Will consumers
use the Internet to obtain information that increases their independence?
Would collaboration with business partners increase opportunities
for people with disabilities to access the Internet?
In answering these questions, project staff will also be aware
of potential correlations between the methods used by the organization
and the size and location of the organization. For example, do CILs
or other organizations located in areas with a large technology
workforce have more resources for refurbishing computers?
The results of these program evaluations will form the basis for
the development of technical assistance kits which CILs and other
organizations can use to set up computer recycling and Internet
connectivity programs in own their communities. Using the best components
of the programs evaluated, and creating new materials based on the
evaluations, project staff will develop technical assistance kits
to be distributed to CILs and other organizations who are interested
in developing their own program. The model program and technical
assistance kits will be based upon procedures developed by persons
with disabilities which will promote consideration for accommodations
needed by for persons with physical and sensory disabilities. Further,
because techniques pioneered by persons with disabilities involved
in independent living programs have been proven to be effective,
the model program will be consumer controlled.
The technical assistance kits will include step-by-step procedures
for conducting computer recycling and Internet connectivity programs.
These detailed procedures will describe how to contact businesses
and organizations for donations, provide information on tax benefits
for companies who donate computers, sample forms and letters, and
information on how to estimate storage needs. The kits will also
include information about peer role-modeling approaches to training
and resources and ideas for refurbishing computers--such as collaborating
with local trade schools, colleges, professional groups and BBB
members. Information on WebTV as an option for obtaining access
to the Internet will be included. Web TV information will include
the names of BBB members to contact for donations of equipment and
Internet service and information to help CIL staff assist consumers
in evaluating whether Web TV is the best option for the individual.
(ii) The extent to which the proposed demonstration activities
include the use of proper methodological tools and theoretically
sound procedures to determine the effectiveness of the strategy
or approach (2 points).
Case Study Methods to be Employed
The review and analysis of existing computer recycling and Internet
connectivity programs will employ accepted case study methods. These
methods have been amply described by Yin (1989) and others and rely
on a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques for
data collection. Furthermore, because of the need for examination
of historical as well as current data, case studies require access
to multiple sources of evidence. Yin (1989) cites six sources of
evidence that must be examined in conducting a proper case study:
documentation, archival records, interviews, direct observations,
participant-observation, and physical artifacts.
In addition to providing clear directives on proper use of the
case study approach, Yin (1989) provides very clear directions concerning
primary analytic techniques that can be used in examining data collected
in this manner. Such techniques include pattern matching, explanation
building, and time series analysis. Attention will be given to proper
analyses of data collected in this investigation.
Identification of CILs and Non-Profits to Participate
Using case study design, at least two centers for independent living
and one other non-profit organization with successful computer recycling
and Internet connectivity programs will be studied. Centers will
be selected after considering the length of operation of the program,
the size of the program, location of the center (rural/urban, high
technology workforce/low technology workforce, etc.) and the center's
willingness to participate in the project and share their policies
and procedures. In the first year, project directors at the CILs
involved in the case studies will be paid as consultants for their
time, expertise and materials they contribute to the project.
Once the case studies have been analyzed and the prototype kit
has been assembled, the kit and its related method will be tested
by establishing a computer recycling and Internet connectivity program
at a chosen CIL without such a program. The prototype kit will be
refined using the evaluation of the test, feedback from participants,
and input from consultants (persons directing successful programs).
The site for the test will be a CIL that has volunteered to participate
in the project and has demonstrated the commitment and resources
to continue the program after the test is completed.
(iii) The extent to which the proposed demonstration activities
include innovative and effective strategies or approaches (4 points).
Consumer involvement will be sought at all stages of development
of the technical assistance program. Consumers will be asked to
provide input on the design of the program, their training needs,
etc. They will also be asked whether they prefer to use surveys,
telephone interviews, or focus groups to communicate with program
developers. A user group will be established for consumers who receive
equipment and Internet connectivity through the project. The user
group will provide a forum for consumer input as well as an opportunity
to gain peer support and technical assistance. The user group may
meet in a physical location, such as the CIL, or may meet in a virtual
chat room. Input from the user group will be used to refine the
program and improve the quality of the training, the assessment
process, and all other aspects of the program.
Using the refined kit, demonstration projects will be conducted
in two to three CILs. As part of the demonstration projects, all
people with disabilities who receive computers will be connected
to the Internet. Participants who cannot afford to pay for Internet
service will be provided with discounted or free Internet access.
In addition to using their own resources, the centers will have
access to members of the BBB who will assist in solving the problem
of obtaining Internet access. The Better Business Bureau Consumer
Education Foundation has agreed to work with the project to solicit
connectivity for people with disabilities from their membership
organizations which are Internet service providers. Companies contributing
to the project may receive acknowledgment on the Disability Research
Information Web site (DRIWS).
The involvement of the Better Business Bureau Consumer Education
Foundation is one of the most innovative aspects of this project.
In the results our case studies, we expect to find that the success
of computer recycling and Internet connectivity programs depends
largely on the resources available in the local community--businesses
that are upgrading their systems and have hardware to donate, individuals
with the technical knowledge to assist in refurbishing donated hardware,
and local Internet service providers (ISP) willing to donate services.
The involvement of the BBB at the national level means that support
for computer recycling and Internet connectivity programs will not
be limited by the availability of local resources, but will instead,
be capable of gaining and using support from the involvement of
large national corporations, even though the company's headquarters,
offices or plants may be located in distant regions of the country.
The Better Business Bureau Consumer Education Foundation will be
a national partner in this project. Their many contributions to
the project include disseminating information about the computer
recycling and Internet connectivity program to all BBB members,
soliciting their involvement in the project, and connecting individual
BBB members with the nearest CIL or other non-profit organization
which has, or is starting, a program. The BBB Consumer Education
Foundation will stress that all BBB members are partners in this
project. The BBB Consumer Education Foundation has offered to approach
national member organizations of the BBB, such as IBM, Apple, Compaq
and Hewlitt-Packard and encourage them to donate new computers to
the project on an ongoing basis. The involvement of corporations
such as these could mean that participants with disabilities would
have access to state-of-the-art equipment rather than the "better-than-nothing,"
slower, refurbished machines.
National corporation members of the BBB who are Internet service
providers (i.e., Sprint, AOL, MCI, AT&T) will be asked to provide
discounts or contribute free Internet connection time to persons
with disabilities participating in the project who cannot afford
Internet service at the commercial rate. In exchange for assisting
with the project, contributors will be acknowledged on the Disability
Research Information Website.
The BBB Consumer Education Foundation will also approach members
that manufacture and distribute Web TV equipment and companies that
provide WebTV Internet service to encourage them to participate
in the project by donating equipment and Internet connectivity.
In addition, the BBB Consumer Education Foundation will help members
to think creatively about additional ways of supporting the project.
Members will be asked to volunteer their time to help refurbish
computers, train new users or help assess consumer requests for
equipment. Moving companies, delivery services and taxi companies
might be asked to provide free delivery of donated equipment to
the CIL and to the recipients' homes. Storage companies might provide
free storage for donated equipment.
PLAN OF EVALUATION:
For the purposes of this project, a successful computer recycling
and Internet connectivity program will be defined by the following
criteria:
-
Program is self-sustaining--Donations continue to come in to
meet a continuous demand from consumers. The project has demonstrated
the ability to continue the process after the initial demonstration
period and the actual cost to the center is kept at a minimum.
-
Consumers receive equipment and connectivity in a timely manner.
-
Consumers receive equipment that they can begin to use immediately--the
equipment is the type they need and includes Internet connectivity,
Windows (if applicable), adaptive software/hardware. The independent
living center does not have to provide these accessories but
should be able to connect consumers with other resources so
that they can obtain what they need to get started.
-
Consumers are involved in their own needs assessment and planning--consumers
decide what kind of equipment they need (which center will try
to meet within the limitations of the program), what they want
to do with it, and they assume responsibility for equipment
selection and subsequent maintenance and upgrade.
-
The program offers consumers the opportunity to upgrade their
equipment.
-
The program has built-in evaluation components which rely heavily
on consumer assessment.
-
The program provides user support groups.
After one year, the demonstration projects will be evaluated in
regard to the above criteria. Project staff will gather data on
the schedule of donations and consumer requests, the amount of time
that elapses between the time a consumer requests connectivity and
the time the consumer is connected, the number of consumers who
receive a connection, and costs to the center. Program effectiveness
will be measured by obtaining feedback on the timeliness of response,
the quality of the training, and whether the equipment meets the
predetermined needs. Data will be obtained from consumers through
Likert scale surveys, telephone interviews and focus groups. Feedback
obtained through the evaluation process will be used to improve
the quality of the program.
The goal of the project is to provide consumers with Internet access
at the same time they are provided with a computer. Allowing for
possible delays in obtaining an Internet account, we expect participants
to be connected to the Internet within one month of receiving their
computers. Project staff will contact participants by telephone
one month after they report that they are connected. Consumers will
be asked how often they use the Internet, what they use the Internet
to do (entertainment, communication, financial management, etc.),
how they go about locating the information they need, etc. Project
staff will alert the CILs if consumers are having difficulty using
the equipment, connecting to the Internet, or accessing information
so that additional training can be provided.
Four months later project staff will contact the same consumers
again to determine if their use of the Internet to obtain information
has increased and whether it is affecting more areas of their lives.
Consumer feedback will be the primary measure of whether and how
access to computers and information on the Internet has affected
their quality of life. In this evaluation, project staff will not
be concerned about whether consumers are accessing research information
per se. The evaluation will focus on (1) whether consumers use the
Internet to find information which they previously could only access
through slower and less accessible means or which they could not
find at all; (2) whether consumers believe that the information
they are able to access has an effect their ability to live independently;
(3) the project's effectiveness in increasing consumers' use of
information technology. Data on types of information sought, sites
visited, barriers encountered, etc. will be analyzed to provide
feedback to researchers, policy makers, and other interested parties.
(iv) The extent to which the proposed demonstration activities
are likely to contribute to current knowledge and practice and be
a substantial addition to the state-of-the-art (2 points).
PRODUCTS, OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS:
This project will extend the current understanding of barriers
to effective access to information by people who depend on up-to-date
and accurate information in order to maintain an acceptable quality
of life. Specifically, the project will contribute to knowledge
about:
-
the types of hardware and software that are most useful to
persons with disabilities in accessing information;
-
the effectiveness of various strategies and techniques for
securing community, state, and national support for a technology
access program;
-
direct and indirect costs to individuals and organizations
who or which participate in organized efforts to foster technology
and information access;
-
user satisfaction with various forms of technology (e.g., recycled
computers, WebTV devices, other Internet access devices that
will become available) in accessing information from the Internet;
and
-
information formatting and infrastructure issues that continue
to pose difficulties to individuals with various types of disabilities
who are attempting to access information via the Internet.
The need to promote optimal access to national and international
information infrastructures is critically important if the progress
toward independence made by people with disabilities over the last
half century is to be sustained into the 21st century. This project
will provide much needed data on the role that consumer-controlled
consumer-based agencies, working in collaboration with public- and
private-sector partners, can play in expanding options for dissemination
and access of information.
(v) The extent to which the proposed demonstration activities can
be applied and replicated in other settings (2 points).
This project is designed to create the resources required to foster
effective replication of successful information access strategies
in other settings around the country. By design, there are a limited
number of sites in which the project will be employed. This will
allow for an in-depth assessment of strategies that work and an
opportunity to identify problems that are likely to be encountered
in future attempts to replicate similar efforts in other settings.
The materials that will be developed through the project will focus
on "how to" techniques that people can use in replicating similar
efforts in other settings. Just as importantly, the project will
develop resources regarding philosophical issues related to consumer
control and maintenance of dignity among people who may be the beneficiaries
of products and services that are provided in different sites.
Specific products that will be generated through the project to
promote replication include:
-
"how to" kits for establishing and operating computer recycling
and Internet connectivity programs;
-
sample materials (e.g., letters, informational flyers) for
promoting participation of public- and private-sector partners;
-
consumer satisfaction forms and assessment strategies;
-
an "Access for All" page on the project website that provides
tips on successful strategies for operating a successful access
project;
-
a newsgroup dealing with practical information infrastructure
access issues for the purpose of fostering exchange of information
between operational sites and other organizations that might
be interested in becoming involved; and
-
a "Breaking Barriers-Breaking News" fact sheet that will be
distributed in print and electronic formats to inform CILs about
technological developments that hold promise for enhancing access
to the Internet and other information resources.
The focus of this project is on developing the capacity of local
resources to gain and promote access to information. In this regard,
primary emphasis of the project will be to develop resource materials
which will lead to replication of successful strategies.
D-3 Timeline HERE
(g) Design of technical assistance activities (8 points total).
In a research project, such as the currently proposed study, in
which the overall goal is to "improve research information dissemination
and utilization to promote independent living", it is essential
that technical assistance be included in the design. Both ILRU and
Kansas RTC/IL have substantial experience in developing and implementing
effective and user-friendly technical assistance. Over a three-decade
period, the collaborating organizations have developed and delivered
technical assistance on a variety of subjects, including independent
living center operations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section
504, personal assistance services, and managed care for people with
disabilities.
It is through this knowledge, experience, and collaboration, that
two technical assistance projects have been designed specifically
for use with the three target populations. T-1 is designed to serve
consumers, family members, CILs, SILCs, ILPs, and consumer organizations
who wish to access and discuss disability research information.
This project will also serve to assist organizations that choose
to act as information brokers or provide technical assistance to
use the D-1 database, dissemination options, or recycled computer
equipment. Technical assistance will be provided, in part, through
use of the research primer to promote understanding of how research
can be used to promote independent living. Policy makers will be
provided with technical assistance to use needs and barrier information
and dissemination and utilization evaluation findings.
T-2 is designed to enable researchers to use strategies and methods
developed in D-1 to abstract disability information in an understandable
format and language and also to use dissemination and utilization
options from D-2 to exchange research information and need for new
disability research.
(i) The extent to which the methods for providing technical assistance
are of sufficient quality, intensity and duration (2 points).
Technical assistance is provided throughout the duration of the
project, but there is a significant increase in funding and activity
during the mid and final years. Research is conducted in initial
years to develop information and knowledge demonstration, dissemination,
and utilization projects options. User manuals from the projects
are used for technical assistance. Project staff who developed databases,
system options, and user manuals will be available by telephone,
e-mail, and newsgroups to provide support, as well as at conferences
and training sessions.
(ii) The extent to which the information to be provided through
technical assistance covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject
matter (2 points).
As previously discussed, products are developed to include relevant
information as described in detail in R-1 and through the National
Advisory Committee and consumer feedback. Technical assistance will
be provided by using DRIC products to increase the probability that
technical assistance covers all relevant aspects of the subject
matter.
(iii) The extent to which the technical assistance is appropriate
to the target population, including consideration of the knowledge
level of the target population, needs of the target population,
and format for providing information.
The same strategies and methods to produce products and reduce
barriers (needed information, understandable language and formats,
alternate formats) will also be used to provide technical assistance
to the target population groups. Contents, formats and language
will be adjusted for each of the three target population groups.
For example, content that is understandable for consumers, might
not be that most accepted by policy makers or researchers. For those
two groups, the strategy would be to use policy maker or researcher
terminology and styles. Staff who have a background in policy and
research would be used to provide technical assistance to these
target population groups. Conversely, staff who have worked with
consumers and practitioners will provide technical assistance to
consumers while using terminology and styles that clearly communicate
with these populations.
(iv) The extent to which the technical assistance is accessible
to individuals with disabilities (2 points).
Information disseminated by the DRIC will be provided in alternate
formats to individuals with disabilities. Alternate formats include
large print, Braille, ASCII text computer disks, videotapes which
are available in closed captioning. Interpreters and other personal
assistance services will be made available at conferences. The DRIC's
web site and database (D-1) will be accessible to individuals with
sensory and physical disabilities according to official Web Accessible
Initiative guidelines.
Project T-1: Making Disability Research Information Accessible
to Consumers, Family Members, IL Providers, and Advocates
PROJECT ABSTRACT
Through this project, technical assistance activities will be conducted
using an array of dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance
strategies that are designed to increase effective use of disability
research in the lives of people with disabilities and the organizations
that serve them.
PERSONNEL:
Name and Degree Position % time
Laurel Richards, B.A. Training Director/P.I. 5%
James F. Budde, Ed.D. Co-Director 3%
Lex Frieden, M.A. Co-Director 2%
Glen W. White, Ph.D. Co- Director 1%
Ken Golden, M.A. Information Systems Manager 1%
Dawn Heinsohn Research Assistant 5%
TBA Research Assistant 5%
PROPOSED TIME FRAME: 5 Years
The Secretary's Requirements:
This project is designed to address the Secretary's requirement
5(4) "Develop and implement strategies to disseminate research information
to promote independent living, using a variety of innovative methods,
and media" and 5(5) "Develop and disseminate strategies that other
information providers, such as CILS, NI on Disability-funded grantees,
and consumer publications, can use to increase the utilization of
research to promote independent living, and provide technical assistance
to those entities to increase the dissemination and utilization
of this information."
TARGET POPULATION
This project is directed toward consumers, family members, staff
of centers for independent living (CILs) and Statewide Independent
Living Councils (SILCs), consumer advocates, other service providers,
and the general public.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
1. Deliver technical assistance to consumers and other non-researchers
on Center research, demonstration, dissemination, and utilization
projects using the Internet and traditional technical assistance
strategies. Deliver technical assistance on Center outcomes using
a variety of strategies--including approaches available through
the Internet, printed media, and presentationswhich provide consumers
and other non-researcher stakeholders with research information
in which they have expressed interest.
2. Deliver technical assistance on Center products and materials
using research utilization strategies that provide non-researchers
with tools for better understanding and using research information.
3. Evaluate technical assistance activities and make changes to
methods of delivery, as indicated.
PROJECT APPROACH AND METHOD:
In formulating the methods by which to provide technical assistance
to consumers and other non-researchers, consideration was given
to the four following issues, raised by the Secretary in the RFP
for this proposal.
(i) The extent to which the methods for providing technical assistance
are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration (2 points).
To address this issue, three approaches were designed to provide
thoroughness in providing information on Center products and findings.
These three approaches include:
Technical assistance through the Internet and traditional TA strategies:
The primary methods for providing technical assistance will be via,
e-mail, chat room discussions, news groups postings, listservs,
telephone, regular mail, and at the site of the individual requesting
technical assistance. In addition, a national network of persons
available to provide information on disability research will be
developed, following the model established by ILRU (the Network
of IL Technical Assistants. It is expected--at least during the
last months of the 20th century--that the primary delivery method
will be the telephone, and a significant amount of the budget's
funds have been allocated for long distance charges.
Technical assistance through dissemination activities: Technical
assistance information will be communicated to consumers and other
non-researchers using a variety of media, including publications
of various styles, training presentations, and interactive media
on the Internet.
Technical assistance through research utilization activities: Technical
assistance will be provided in conjunction with the Center's research
utilization activities, the "how-to" materials designed for consumers
and other non-researchers to use Center products and information
more effectively.
As will be seen, a separate project objective deals with evaluation
of the technical assistance activities. Center staff's experience
with operating and evaluating a technical assistance program on
a nationwide scope for the independent living field will be drawn
upon for both projects T-1 and T-2. User satisfaction with the delivery
of technical assistance will be assessed, with requests for recommendations
on how to further improve technical assistance to users.
(ii) The extent to which information to be provided through technical
assistance covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject matter
(2 points).
The goal of the technical assistance activities of the Center is
to improve proper utilization of research information to promote
independent living. Regarding relevancy of technical assistance
activities: as with the Center's dissemination and utilization activities,
selection of information to be addressed through technical assistance
will be guided by findings from project R-1, consumer-identified
research needs and barriers to effective information dissemination.
Additionally, the DRIC National Advisory Committee will also help
ensure that technical assistance covers all relevant aspects of
the subject matter.
(iii) The extent to which technical assistance is appropriate to
the target population, including consideration of their knowledge
level and needs and format for providing information (2 points).
As will be seen in the following description of technical assistance
activities to be provided by the Center, activities will be designed
specifically to address findings from R-1, consumer identified research
information needs. To assure that technical assistance activities
are appropriate to target population's knowledge level, Center staff
will again refer to the other aspect of R-1, consumer-identified
barriers to effective communication of research information to non-researchers.
In addition, the variety of technical assistance delivery approaches
which the Center will employ provides additional assurance that
needs of the target audience are met in formats and media most useful
an accessible to them.
(iv) The extent to which technical assistance is accessible to
individuals with disabilities (2 points).
The Center partners' many years of providing technical assistance
to the independent living field includes extensive experience in
working closely with people with disabilities, not only as members
of their target audience but also as staff members. This includes
people with mobility impairment, visual impairment, head injury,
severe hearing loss, and mental illness, among others. Center staff
have developed considerable expertise in providing information in
alternate formats (e.g. large print, Braille, audio tapes, Ascii
text disks, and Spanish translations) and in making accommodations
for accessibility. This expertise with access issues in the area
of technical assistance provision will be carried into the proposed
project.
DESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES:
Technical Assistance through Traditional TA Strategies
Objective 1: Deliver technical assistance to consumers and other
non-researchers on Center research, demonstration, dissemination,
and utilization projects using traditional technical assistance
strategies. TA activities in this objective will include:
How to use the Center's research database, website, chat rooms,
newsgroups, listservs;
How to use the Center's guidelines for serving as a disability
research information broker;
How to use the Center's model for a computer equipment recycling
and connectivity program;
How to interpret and use findings from the Center's research projects;
How to use the Center's network of research information sources
to obtain contact information on researchers who can respond to
questions regarding various research projects, modeled after the
ILRU on-line, searchable database of individuals available to provide
technical assistance on disability-related issues (see www.DIMENET.com/ilrulib/ilruta).
Technical Assistance through Dissemination Activities
Objective 2: Deliver technical assistance on Center outcomes using
a variety of disseminate strategies--including approaches available
through printed media, presentations, and the Internet--which provide
consumers and other non-researcher stakeholders with research information
in which they have expressed interest. These activities will include:
Articles which will be prepared and published in both RTC/IL and
ILRU newsletters on findings from the consumer-identified research
subjects study and research barriers study (R-1), and from the research
information acquisition and utilization trends study (R-3), from
disability-related research abstracts and useful research-related
Web sites (D-1, D-2), and from findings concerning computer equipment
recycling and connectivity programs (D-3).
Production and distribution of bi-monthly FAQS ("frequently-asked-questions"
fact sheets) posted on DRIC's homepage on research subjects identified
in R-1 as having high interest to consumers. FAQS will cover essential
information about the research, including purpose, methods, intended
beneficiaries, duration, dissemination activities, etc.
Presentations on findings from Center research projects at annual
conferences that draw consumers and other non-researcher stakeholders,
e.g., NCIL, APRIL, SILC Congress, and specific disability organizations.
Presentation of two national teleconferences annually on research
subjects that received a high ranking with consumers as identified
through R-1. Each teleconference will be presented twice, for a
total of four teleconferences.
Development and implementation of a self-administered on-line course
on understanding the fundamentals of research, using R-2's research
primer as the basis on which the curriculum will be developed.
Production of two videotape programs annually which feature Center
Co-director Lex Frieden conducting interviews with key researchers
about their projects and with representatives of research funding
agencies on research agenda setting practices, using findings from
R-1 as guide in priority setting.
Preparation and distribution via listservs, newsgroups, postings
in DRIC's virtual library, and regular mail of fact sheets and other
news release-type information featuring two-to-three-page summaries
of findings and updates from Center projects.
Technical Assistance through Research Utilization Activities
Objective 3: Deliver technical assistance on Center products and
materials using research utilization strategies which provide non-researchers
with tools for better understanding and using research information.
Activities will include:
Development of a how-to guide on serving as an information broker
for consumers who wish to acquire disability-related research information
using Internet technologies, including websites, chat rooms, newsgroups,
listservs (D-2). These guides will be designed for information-and-referral
specialists at independent living centers, public and university-based
librarians, and other organizations serving people with disabilities;
Preparation of abstracts written for non-researchers on disability-related
research projects, using findings from project R-1 (identification
of research subjects ranking highest in consumer interest) to set
priorities for selecting subjects to abstract (D-1);
Compilation of a research primer written for lay persons to explain
the fundamentals of research terminology, methodology, results,
etc., which can be used to upgrade one's skills as a member of a
research peer review panel or research advisory committee as well
as to better understand research projects undertaken in the disability
and related fields (R-2).
Evaluation of Technical Assistance Strategies
Objective 4: Evaluation of technical assistance activities and
make changes to methods of delivery, as indicated.
The quality of the dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance
activities of the Center will be evaluated with respect to how well
they are meeting the needs of the target audience. Technical assistance
provision will be evaluated with regard to timeliness, clarity,
and quality of information. This evaluation will be conducted with
a randomly selected sample of individuals who have requested technical
assistance. Evaluation efforts related to technical assistance via
dissemination and utilization activities will include enclosing
a user satisfaction questionnaire in materials distributed by mail
and listservs and posting it on the Website, chat rooms, and newsgroups;
and requesting that respondents assess the quality of the materials
disseminated with regard to utility, clarity, method of delivery,
ease of use, and accessibility. In addition, persons participating
in training activities--presentations, teleconferences, forums--will
be requested to complete an evaluation assessing the training activities
with respect to appropriateness of content and quality of both the
presentation and any resource materials provided. These evaluation
methods are all approaches that have been used regularly by Center
staff over the years and have been found to be effective in determining
the extent to which efforts are meeting real needs of the target
audience.
T-1 Timeline HERE
T-2: Increasing Effective Dissemination of Research Information
to Researchers and Policy Makers
PROJECT ABSTRACT:
Through this project, an array of dissemination, utilization, and
technical assistance activities will be conducted which are designed
to provide practical and structured approaches which will assist
them in their efforts to disseminate findings to researcher and
policy maker stakeholders.
PERSONNEL
Name and Degree Position % Time
Laurel Richards Training Director/P.I. 5%
TBA Research Associate 5%
James F. Budde, Ed.D. Co-Director 2%
Lex Frieden, M.A. Co-Director 2% Glen White, Ph.D. Co-Director 1%
Ken Golden, M.A. Information system Manager 1%
PROJECT TIME FRAME: 5 years
The Secretary's Requirements
This project is designed to address the Secretary's requirements
4, "Develop and implement strategies to disseminate research information
to promote independent living, using a variety of innovative methods,
and media," and 5, "Develop and disseminate strategies that other
information providers, such as CILs, NIDRR-funded grantees, and
consumer publications, can use to increase the utilization of research
to promote independent living, and provide technical assistance
to those entities to increase the dissemination and utilization
of this information." following requirements established by the
Secretary for this request for proposals:
TARGET POPULATION:
This project will be directed toward researchers, research funding
agency staff, and policy makers.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
1. Deliver technical assistance to researchers, research funding
agency staff, and policy makers on Center research, demonstration,
dissemination, and utilization projects using the Internet and traditional
technical assistance strategies.
2. Deliver technical assistance on Center outcomes to researchers,
research funding agency staff, and policy makers using a variety
of strategies--including approaches available through printed media,
presentations, and the Internet.
3. Deliver technical assistance on Center products and materials
using research utilization strategies which provide researchers
with tools for increasing the use of research information by non-researchers.
4. Evaluate technical assistance activities and make changes to
methods of delivery, as indicated.
PROJECT APPROACH AND METHOD:
In formulating the methods for providing technical assistance to
researchers, research funding agency staff, and policy makers, consideration
was given to the four following issues, raised by the Secretary
in the RFP for this proposal.
(i) The extent to which the methods for providing technical assistance
are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration (2 points).
To address this issue, three approaches were designed to ensure
thoroughness in providing information on Center products and findings.
These three approaches include:
Technical assistance through the Internet and traditional TA strategies:
The primary methods for providing technical assistance will be via
e-mail, chat room discussions, newsgroups postings, telephone, regular
mail, and in person. In addition, a national network of persons
available to provide information on disability research will be
developed based upon the model established by ILRU (the Network
of IL Technical Assistants). It is expected--at least during the
last months of the 20th century--that the primary delivery method
will be the telephone, and a significant amount of the budget's
funds have been allocated to long distance charges.
Technical assistance through dissemination activities: Technical
assistance information will be communicated to researchers, research
funding agency staff, and policy makers, using a variety of media,
including publications of various styles, training presentations,
and Internet activities.
Technical assistance through research utilization activities: Technical
assistance will be provided in conjunction with the Center's research
utilization activities, the "how-to" materials designed for researchers
to use Center products and information more effectively.
As will be seen, a separate project objective deals with evaluating
the technical assistance activities. The experience of Center staff
in operating and evaluating technical assistance programs on a nationwide
scope for the independent living field will be drawn upon for both
projects, T-1 and T-2. An assessment procedure will be employed
by which user satisfaction with provision of technical assistance,
both by Center staff and by those to whom users are referred outside
the Center. Through this procedure, not only is user satisfaction
with delivery of technical assistance assessed, but recommendations
for improving the technical assistance program are obtained. By
this method, the technical assistance activities are continually
examined for ways to deliver assistance more effectively.
(ii) The extent to which information to be provided through technical
assistance covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject matter
(2 points).
The goal of the technical assistance activities of the Center is
to improve use of research information, and to promote independent
living. Regarding relevancy of technical assistance activities:
as with the Center's dissemination and utilization activities, selection
of information to be addressed through technical assistance will
be guided by findings from project R-1, consumer-identified research
needs and barriers to effective information dissemination. Additionally,
information will be sought from nationally recognized disability
researchers who are on the proposed DRIC National Advisory Committee.
(iii) The extent to which technical assistance is appropriate to
the target population, including consideration of their knowledge
level and needs and format for providing information (2 points).
As will be seen in the following description of technical assistance
activities to be provided by the Center, activities are designed
specifically to address the needs of researchers, research funding
agency staff, and policymakers.
(iv) The extent to which technical assistance is accessible to
individuals with disabilities (2 points).
The Center partners' many years of providing technical assistance
to the independent living field includes much experience with working
closely with people with disabilities, not only as members of their
target audience but also as staff members. This includes people
with mobility impairment, visual impairment, head injury, severe
hearing loss, or mental illness, among others. Center staff has
developed considerable expertise in providing information in alternate
formats (e.g. large print, Braille, audiotape, ASCII text disks,
and Spanish translation), and in making accommodations for accessibility.
This expertise with access issues in the area of technical assistance
provision will be carried into the proposed project.
DESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES:
Technical Assistance through Traditional TA Strategies
Objective 1: Deliver technical assistance to researchers, research
funding agency staff, and policy makers on Center research, demonstration,
dissemination, and utilization projects using traditional technical
assistance strategies. Activities will include:
Using of the Center's research information database, website, listservs,
newsgroups, and chat rooms to increase effectiveness in dissemination
of research information to researchers;
Communicating the Center's findings from R-1, consumer-identified
research interests and barriers to effective use of research information
by consumers to-researchers, research funding agency staff, and
policy makers.
Making the Center's research primer (R-2) available to researchers
who could share it with consumers who are working with them in the
Participatory Action Research (PAR) process.
Technical Assistance through Dissemination Activities
Objective 2: Deliver technical assistance on Center outcomes to
researchers, research funding agency staff, and policy makers using
an array of dissemination approaches, including printed media, presentations,
and the Internet. Activities include:
Submission of articles containing research findings regarding consumer-identified
research needs and barriers to effective dissemination of research
to journals designed for researchers (R-1), and submitting articles
regarding trends in research information acquisition and utilization
by consumers with disabilities (R-3).
Presentations at conferences designed for researchers, including
ACRM, NARRTC, Society for Disabilities Studies, etc., on findings
from Center research projects and recommendations regarding effective
dissemination/utilization strategies of research findings to consumer
audiences.
Distribution of informational updates on R-1 and R-3 using listservs
and news groups.
Development of virtual library containing user manuals.
Technical Assistance through Research Utilization Activities
Objective 3: Deliver technical assistance on Center products and
materials using research utilization strategies which provide researchers
with tools for increasing use of research information by non-researchers.
Activities include:
-
a handbook on how to prepare user-friendly disability research
information, covering such factors as recommendations on language,
alternate formats, suggested outlets and media, etc.
-
a set of guidelines for using the research primer (R-3) in
working with advisory committee members, peer review panels,
etc.;
-
a set of how-to guidelines for 1) selecting relevant research
information to be extracted into abstracts and 2) extracting
that information into abstracts geared for a non-researcher
audience;
-
fact sheets, guidelines, and sets of recommendations regarding
findings from R-1's consumer-identified research needs and barriers
to effective communication of research findings to consumers
and other non-researchers;
-
a report on R-3, the longitudinal study of research information
acquisition trends among the targeted user group who are non-researchers;
and
-
a set of recommendations on improving use of consumers, family
members, advocates, and other non-researchers in research agenda
setting, planning, implementation, prepared with the assistance
of members of the Center's advisory committee, including members
of the National Council on Disability, research utilization
specialists, researchers, disability rights advocates, and CIL
and SILC representatives.
Evaluation of Technical Assistance Strategies
Objective 4: Evaluation of technical assistance activities and
make changes to networks of delivery, as indicated.
The quality of the dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance
activities of the Center will be evaluated with respect to how well
they are meeting the needs of the target audience. Efforts related
to dissemination and utilization activities will include enclosing
a user satisfaction questionnaire in materials distributed by mail,
and by listservs, and posting it on the Web site, chat rooms, and
news groups; and requesting that respondents assess the quality
of the materials disseminated with regard to utility, clarity, method
of delivery, ease of use, and accessibility. In addition, persons
participating in training activities--presentations, teleconferences,
forums--will be requested to complete an evaluation, assessing the
training activities with respect to appropriateness of content and
quality of both the presentation and any resource materials provided.
Technical assistance provision will be evaluated with regard to
timeliness, clarity, and quality of information. This evaluation
will be conducted with a randomly selected sample of individuals
who have requested technical assistance. These evaluation methods
are all approaches that have been used regularly by Center staff
over the years and that have been found to be effective in determining
extent to which efforts are meeting real needs of the target audience.
T-2 Timeline HERE
h) Plan of Operation (6 points total).
The plan of operation involves four key components. These components
include Total Quality Management (TQM), the DRIC operational model,
a modified form of management by objectives that is compatible with
TQM, and project budgeting.
Senior Management Teams
Each project's staff represents a project team, with both the senior
management and the advisory team represented. The Senior Management
Team members staffing the projects will use TQM strategies such
as continuous assessment and quality improvement based on consumer
need, open communication, innovative ideas, and effective procedures.
Senior staff are well versed in these strategies and will ensure
their use throughout each of the projects.
All teams are designed to be complementary and interactive. This
is accomplished in part through the operational model design to
promote interdependence among projects. First, projects are implemented
in a sequence in which initial projects provide information and
products for subsequent projects. (See Figure 2, Plan of Operation:
Projects and Project Sequence). This plan of operation will be discussed
in detail later in this section. Second, staff from both the RTC/IL
and ILRU serve on the project teams. An individual's inclusion on
a team is based on one's background and knowledge that can contribute
to the success of a particular project.
Team communication is a key feature. During the development of
this proposal the staffs of the RTC/IL and ILRU have found that
a multitude of communication vehicles can be effectively used to
facilitate management and project development across both centers.
Communication vehicles used include the Internet, e-mail, telephone
conferencing, surface mail, and facsimile. These vehicles enhance
the strong relationships that have developed between the two centers
over time.
These centers have established working relationships, and linkages
with the IL field. These factors diminish barriers created by physical
distance between the centers. While some face-to-face interactions
will occur as the result of National Advisory Committee meetings
and project operations, the project staff is committed to effectively
using the same technology that is being developed to assist the
target population in accessing disability information to facilitate
their own communication.
Project accountability is a key feature of the plan of operation.
Team leaders are not elected by the research team as would be the
case in TQM. The principal investigators or project directors have
assumed leadership on the basis of their backgrounds, interests,
and commitment. Project teams work to complete specified activities
to fulfill the Secretary's priority and the requirements relevant
to their particular DRIC project. The Senior Management Team provides
financial, program, technical, and other support to each project
team to increase efficiency and maximize outcomes and impacts.
Figure 2 HERE
The Senior Management Team will be composed of individuals who
have made significant contributions to the IL field over the years.
Each brings unique talents, skills, and backgrounds that blend into
a cohesive working team. Senior Management Team members will also
be responsible for particular projects. Both project teams and Senior
Management Teams will meet weekly as the Center develops and then
monthly once operations are well-established. Senior Management
Team members include Lex Frieden, Glen White, Laurel Richards, Ken
Golden and Jim Budde (see Key Personnel Section, Page ____).
Operational Model
The operational model, illustrated in Figure 3, Plan of Operation:
Projects and Project Sequence, is based on the Secretary's Priority
5 requirements and additional needs in the field. The model has
three main categories of activity: Inputs; Center Processes and
Projects; and Impacts. Inputs, in the form of disability research
information and knowledge and from each of the three consumer target
populations, provide prerequisite information needed to develop
and test interventions and products in the Center Processes and
Projects category. The information from these sources is crucial
in ensuring that all project activities are relevant and potentially
beneficial for designated intended end-users. The second category,
Center Processes and Projects, contain the majority of projects
for this proposed DRRP (7 of 8 or 88%). As the individual cells
within this category suggest, the proposed projects have an interactive
and iterative design. The text in the cells describe the various
research, demonstration, dissemination and utilization, and technical
assistance projects. The identifying project numbers are below the
text and below the designated project numbers are the Proposed Priority
5 requirements that the projects are addressing.
The arrows illustrate both the flow of information from cell to
cell and the interrelationship between activities. Whenever possible,
the projects are sequenced to provide maximized information and
experience gained from previous projects. The notion is to pass
on a systematic program of research, dissemination and utilization,
and technical assistance. Finally, the Impacts category contains
a longitudinal research project (R-3) which will help identify trends
and effects of the research, dissemination and utilization, and
technical assistance for each of the three identified populations
this Center is proposing to serve.
Each of these projects will be described in much greater detail,
later in this narrative. This operational model serves to provide
the "big picture" view of the DRIC projects, and a master blue print
for the DRIC.
Management by Objectives
The task and timelines, and the project objectives for this Center
were developed from management by objectives technology. We have
adapted this technology to include flexibility in modifying objectives,
and improving performance and products through TQM. In other words,
management by objectives provides an overall structure for performance,
but TQM provides the techniques and methods to effectively and economically
meet or shape the objectives. The TQM process is used to produce
what is required to meet the goals of the project, the goals of
the center, the needs of the target population, and the Secretary's
priority 5 and related requirements.
Figure 3 HERE
Individual project budgets have been developed to meet project
objectives and to serve as criteria in the center's financial management
by objectives approach. Spending will be monitored to ensure adherence
to project budgets. In addition to monthly expenditure reports,
project projections will be made each quarter to assist project
directors in forecasting and managing their financial resources.
Project information will be combined so that the Senior Management
Team can manage the financial resources of the entire center. In
addition to the above report, the grants management department of
the RTC/IL will also make current budget information available on
request and report any oversights related to spending. The Senior
Management Team will ensure that activities are conducted on time,
within budget, and according to federal and state guidelines.
NOTE that the evaluation section on page___ provides a clear description
of exactly how tasks, timelines and responsibility are used to achieve
objectives.
(i) Plan of Operation to Achieve Project Objectives On Time and
Within Budget: Defined Responsibilities, and Task Timelines (3 points).
The plan of operation has been discussed in the narrative above
this section. It describes how each project has specific products,
tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and budgets. The projects are
sequenced so that results of initial projects are used in shaping
subsequent projects. All project tasks and timelines are sequenced
to produce a flow of activities that can be managed to achieve objectives
on time and within budget, and project directors and teams are assigned
responsibility to ensure that this happens. The grants management
section of the RTC/IL will produce monthly reports and quarterly
projections for each of the eight DRIC projects.
(ii) Plan of Operation For Using Resources, Equipment, and Personnel
to Achieve Each Objective (3 points).
Perhaps the greatest resource used will be consumers, family members,
practitioners, and advocates from the IL field. They will serve
as integral members of project teams and provide practical guidance.
Another resource includes the systems that have been developed
by the RTC/IL and ILRU over the years. These resources include a
broad range of dissemination systems. Both centers produce their
own newsletters that will be used to disseminate research and Center
product information. Both centers also have websites that will be
used to disseminate research and product information, and to describe
the projects of the DRIC. Both centers have a number of intervention
products for consumers, family members, CILs, SILCs and disability
service providers. ILRU maintains a current list of CILs, SILCs,
and disability service providers, and in addition the RTC/IL has
an extensive mailing list of consumers, policy makers and federal
administrators. Both centers have built numerous relationships over
the years with consumers, family members practitioners, policy makers,
advocates, federal and state administrators, and researchers.
It should be noted that most of the physical resources for this
project (including equipment) are provided by the RTC/IL and ILRU.
Salaries and other funds contained in the budget justification will
be used in projects to meet project objectives. Specifically, funds
will be used for communication, personal assistants, support personnel,
consultants, travel, and coordinating project activities.
A full description of facilities, equipment, and other resource
can be found in the resources section on page___.
The allocation of personnel resources is determined by the percentage
of time that individuals will work on each project. These allocations
were projected to ensure that the objectives of each project would
be met. Personnel percentages of time allocations can be found in
Figure 4, (Year One: RTC/IL and ILRU combined Effort Chart by Projects).
The total of FTEs for each project are totaled at the bottom. The
composite budget for all personnel and resources can be found in
Figure 4, Year One: RTC/IL and ILRU combined Budget by Projects,
page ___. This budget provides the precise amounts of funds for
each line in each project budget, the totals for each project, and
the composite budget for year one. All line item funds are based
on project activities and the intensity of project activities in
year one. It is important to note that the allocation of staff time
and resources to a project depends upon its sequence during the
life of this 5-year Center. Thus research projects have heavier
staff time allocations in the early years, while the technical assistance
projects have heavier staff allocations in the latter years. Estimates
are based on over 20 years of experience in operating similar projects.
(i) Collaboration (3 points total)
(1) Quality of collaboration.
(i) Effective Collaboration With Agencies, Organizations or Institutions
for Achieving the Project Activities (1 point).
(ii) Organization or Institution's Commitment to Collaborate (1
point).
(iii) Collaborators have the capacity to carry out collaborative
activities (1 point).
One of the underlying strengths of the proposed Center is the interest
in and commitment to the principle of collaboration. Of course,
the success of the entire Center operation will be built upon and
depend upon the collaboration between the principle organizations
and their respective staffs at the University of Kansas and The
Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Independent Living Research
Utilization program.
Collaboration between the RTC/IL and ILRU presents a unique opportunity
to combine the knowledge, programs, personnel, and information systems
of both centers into one disability research information center.
Collaboration between these two centers can be found in the various
projects where individuals from both centers are involved jointly
in projects. The role of staff from both centers within projects
has evolved so that each individual's strengths and background compliment
those of the other. Collaboration within and across projects through
complimentary staff assignments facilitates interdependence that
is required to effectively operate a complex program involving two
centers.
Figure 4 HERE
In addition to collaboration between Kansas and Houston, broad
collaboration with individuals, agencies, organizations, and institutions
is a key strategy that is used through the design of the Center.
Collaborative activities have been proposed with: individual consumers,
family members, and IL advocates; IL organizations including NCIL,
APRIL, and DIMENET; research organizations including NARRTC, and
the Society for Disability Studies; information repository and utilization
programs including NARIC and NCDDR; and with other types of organizations
including Rehabilitation International, and the Better Business
Bureau Consumer Education Foundation. Discussions have been held
with principal members of all of the organizations listed here (and
others noted elsewhere in the proposal narrative), and without qualification,
verbal and written support for the proposed collaborative activities
has been offered (see letters of support in Appendix D).
In order to ensure that collaborators are up to date and well informed
about Center activities, and to insure that Center staff are completely
informed about developments that might affect the Center, representatives
of collaborating organizations have been recruited to serve on the
Center's National Advisory Committee. The Center staff will be guided
and bolstered by this select team of outstanding leaders from the
fields of independent living, rehabilitation service delivery, knowledge
transfer and utilization, and rehabilitation research.
Together, the team will function as the Center's National Advisory
Committee. Individually, team members will serve as non-paid consultants
and advisors to the separate projects, which collectively constitute
the center. In addition to their unique personal characteristics
and attributes, and their personal experience and knowledge, each
member of the advisory committee team brings with him or her the
resources of their respective organizations.
A table listing the National Advisory Committee members and noting
their unique characteristics and constituency backgrounds can be
found in Appendix D. In summary, the individuals who have committed
themselves to supporting and contributing to the Center by serving
as advisors and as liaison's with their own organizations and other
constituencies represent a wide range of knowledge, interests and
needs which are pertinent to the mission and work of the Center.
A few examples of the importance of these advisors and their linkages
to organizations in which they play leadership roles are in order.
John Etchieson, Director of the Better Business Bureau Consumer
Education Foundation, has already advised the Center about the practicality
and means of soliciting computer hardware, both new and old, from
members of Better Business Bureaus around the country. Etchieson
has advised that some of the larger national members of the Better
Business Bureaus which manufacture and sell computers, such as IBM,
Compaq, and Dell, may be willing to contribute over stock and surplus
new computers to the independent living center recycling projects
described in dissemination and utilization project three above.
Etchieson has also advised that certain national Internet service
providers, such as MCI, Sprint, AOL, and AT&T, may be willing
to work through the Better Business Bureaus to provide heavily discounted
or even free Internet access to people with disabilities who are
participating in the independent living center recycling projects
in their communities. Finally, Etchieson believes that local businesses
and companies who belong to Better Business Bureaus are likely to
join the already identified national organizations in providing
hardware as well as technical assistance to support the independent
living center computer recycling projects in their communities.
Obviously, these kinds of contributions will be vital to the success
of the recycling demonstration, and John Etchieson has the capacity
to back up his recommendations by securing the cooperation of Better
Business Bureaus and their member organizations throughout the United
States.
Thomas Backer, President of the Human Interaction Research Institute,
and Past President of the Society for Knowledge Utilization, has
offered to link the Center with knowledge transfer and research
utilization experts outside the area of disability and rehabilitation.
These experts may be able to offer insights and advice about innovative
methods for fostering research utilization which have not yet been
applied in the fields of rehabilitation, independent living, or
disability. Backer will also share his experience as co-principal
investigator of one of the National Institute on Handicapped Research's
(NI on Disability's predecessor organization) most successful knowledge
transfer programs. Finally, Backer will contribute his own considerable
expertise and that of his organization in the area of evaluation
of research utilization activities. Again, Backer's experience and
knowledge in a host of pertinent areas will be relied upon heavily
as the Center staff and other collaborators engage in seeking innovative
and effective means to ensure that research results and related
information is available and usable by people with disabilities,
their families and other supporters, and by independent living programs
and other service providers.
Paul Spooner offers a unique perspective, as Vice President of
the National Council on Independent Living. In this capacity, he
will serve as a sounding board and critic of Center activities at
the highest level. Furthermore, he will insure that the Center's
goals in relation to accessing independent living center personnel
through NCIL's annual meeting and through other organizational mechanisms
are successfully met. As director of a local independent living
center, Spooner will help to ensure that the Center's implementation
of particular projects will take into consideration practical issues
related to the day-to-day management of independent living centers.
He will make certain that the Center's plans are feasible. Spooner
manages one of the four primary host sites for DIMENET, the national
independent living computer network. His service as a member of
the Center's National Advisory Committee will ensure that communication
with consumers is effective and efficient.
Tom Seekins is Director of the Research and Training Center on
Rural Rehabilitation at the University of Montana. He served as
President of the National Association of Rehabilitation Research
and Training Center in 1997-1998, and he is currently President
of the American Disability Prevention and Wellness Association.
Most importantly, Seekins is a role model for other disability researchers
because of his commitment to making information accessible to consumers.
Seekins' involvement in this Center will focus on identifying opportunities
and evaluating approaches that teach and encourage researchers to
attend to the information needs of individuals with disabilities
and the organizations which serve them. Seekins will also help the
Center to make sure that the unique characteristics of people with
disabilities living in rural areas are recognized and addressed.
In addition to experts in the process of research utilization and
knowledge transfer, advisors from businesses will also be sought
to assist the Center in making important linkages commercial organizations
in cities across the U.S. These business advisors will provide referrals
to technicians with expertise in Internet technology and modern
information processing and transfer methods.
The Center's advisory team includes researchers who have a profound
commitment of participatory action research and a sincere desire
to see that the products of their work and that of their colleagues
is useful to the people whom they consider to be the ultimate beneficiaries
of their work. Biographical data of all the members of the Center's
National Advisory Committee can be found in Appendix E. Additionally,
each one of the Center's National Advisory Committee members has
offered a letter of support for this proposal. Their letters include
personal perspectives on the roles that they intend to play as Center
advisors.
In addition to the Center's advisors, a number of exceptionally
well qualified experts in the fields of research and evaluation
design and methodology, research utilization and dissemination,
Internet access and utilization, and international rehabilitation
research utilization and dissemination have agreed to join and collaborate
with the Center as consultants. A list of these consultants noting
their unique areas of expertise and other important information
can be found in Appendix E.
Just as the Center's advisory team enriches the overall approach
outlined in this proposal, those individuals who are committed to
serve as consultants to the Center bring a wealth of experience,
knowledge, and expertise to this endeavor. They are all sincerely
committed to the mission and goals of the proposed Center, and they
have all expressed a desire to be partners in the Center's activities,
as opposed to serving strictly as narrow subject area experts. As
consultants to the Center, each of them will deliver specific products
identified in the project descriptions above. However, beyond that,
each of them has volunteered to serve along with members of the
Center's National Advisory Committee to assist Center staff and
other collaborators in the process of managing and implementing
the overall Center program.
Clearly, the Center will benefit in many respects by collaboration
with individuals and organizations. A project of the sort described
in this proposal could not be conducted effectively without collaboration.
Collaboration serves as a mechanism for extending the work of Center
staff, and, in this project, it serves as an invaluable mechanism
for obtaining needed information. It will also help reduce costs
and enable the proposed project to carry out a complete program
of activities, the cost of which would most likely exceed the allocated
budget without the kind of contributions collaborators and advisors
provide.
(j) Budget Adequacy And Reasonableness (4 points total)
(i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the proposed project activities (2 points).
The budget for any single year does not exceed $399,999.
Cost sharing will be in the amount of $460,000 or 23 percent of
the total budget. Of the P.I.'s salary, $240,000 will be contributed
to grant activities and management over the five years of the project.
The University of Kansas will also provide $220,000 in unrecovered
indirect cost that results from the difference in the 46 percent
negotiated and the 25 percent rate granted by the University of
Kansas. These commitments show a major dedication to independent
living and the proposed center, DRIC.
Note that no equipment is requested. Both the RTC/IL and ILRU will
provide this resource.
An overall budget for all projects in year one is included in Figure3,
RTC/IL and ILRU Combined Budgets by Projects. This composite budget
reflects initial project budgets that are based on project activities
during year one. The composite also includes the DRIC budget total.
Note that this composite does not precisely match the RTC/IL and
ILRU budget sections, because 1) identified RTC/IL staff will work
on projects whose P.I.s are at ILRU and identified ILRU staff will
work on projects whose P.I.s are at the RTC/IL and 2) some resource
costs in the RTC/IL budget are spread across all projects.
The year one budget reflects higher costs in R-1, R-3 , D-1, D-2,
and D-3, because these projects involve research, development, and
testing in the first year that will lead to information, methods,
technology, and products that will be used in later years in the
TA projects. While the overall budget will not exceed $399,999 in
subsequent years, project budgets will be refined each year in accordance
with project activities. Budget estimates have been projected for
five years to ensure that there are adequate funds for all proposed
projects over the life of DRIC.
Figure 4, Year One: RTC/IL and ILRU Combined Effort Chart by Projects
illustrates the percentage of time spent by personnel across projects
in year one. Note that Budde's percentage of time has been increased
to reflect cost sharing.
Budgets reflect over 20 years of combined budgeting and project
management experience at the RTC/IL and ILRU. The percentage of
time of both Lex Frieden and Glen White are greater than appear
on the budget. The reason for this is their involvement in other
dissemination and utilization projects and activities that will
also be used for DRIC.
Figure 3 HERE
Figure 4 HERE
(ii) The extent to which the budget for the project, including
subcontracts, is adequately justified to support the project activities
(2 points).
A detailed and complete justification is provided in the budget
section that precedes the project narrative. Justifications are
provided for both the RTC/IL and ILRU subcontract. The justifications
include how funds will be expended for consumer consultants and
their personal assistants, travel, consultants and National Advisory
Committee member expenses, communication, staff salaries and benefits,
supplies, publications, NCIL training, photocopying, and other items
required to operate the proposed DRIC.
(k) Plan of Evaluation (7 points total)
(i) The extent to which the plan of evaluation provides for periodic
assessment of progress (2 points).
The plan of evaluation for the DRIC will include both formative
and summative methods. These methods will be used for specific purposes
within projects, across projects, and for the Center as a whole.
The next section contains an overview of components that are included
in the plan of evaluation.
Projects Evaluation and Enhancement. Formative methods will be
used regularly to assess ongoing progress, improve products and
information systems, and manage personnel and resources.
Timelines (including tasks and individuals responsible for tasks
for a five-year time period) are included in each research, demonstration,
dissemination, and utilization, and technical assistance and training
project. This information will be used systematically for formative
evaluation and feedback. In other words, tasks and timelines will
be compared to the projected completion date and expenditures will
be compared to project budgets. Tasks, timelines and budgets will
be refined in more detail pending successful Center funding. Analysis
of project timelines will be used to determine if project activities
are behind, on, or ahead of schedule. When projects are ahead of
or on schedule, project staff will be acknowledged through positive
feedback. When activities are behind schedule or budgets are overspent,
discussions will be held to determine the reasons and possible solutions.
If warranted, resources will be reallocated or advisement might
be used to improve project management.
Formative evaluation, use of assessment information, and feedback
will be the primary tool used in, and across, all projects. Project
directors will use their tasks, timelines, budgets, and product
activities to do weekly assessments. Formative information will
be combined at monthly intervals for strategic management of the
DRIC.
Center Evaluation and Strategic Management. A master project schedule
will be developed that includes all projects on a master timeline
spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will be used to compare project tasks
and timelines to the current date. This method and master spreadsheet
has been developed, refined, and used by the RTC/IL over the last
15 years.
After each project director conducts project assessments, they
will forward monthly reports on project tasks, timelines, budgets,
and results, so that the information can be included in a composite
monthly report. Dr. Budde, who is responsible for evaluation, will
compile the results. The monthly Senior Management Team review will
help ensure that the DRIC project activities are on schedule.
Qualitative Formative Evaluation. The primary purpose of qualitative
formative evaluation is to shape and produce high quality and effective
project products. This also includes products that will be empirically
tested such as the research primer (R-2). Qualitative evaluations
will be made during product development to determine the utility,
ease of understanding, and economy of each product. Consumers and
other potential users of products will participate in the formative
assessments, and they will be asked to provide feedback for improvements.
Qualitative assessments will be conducted using four different
approaches.
1. Inclusion of consumers and potential users as integral members
of project teams in product development, testing, and dissemination.
Consumers who have been identified as leaders through the R-1 consumer
survey process, or who have previously worked with either the RTC/IL
or ILRU, will be invited to serve on various project teams.
2. Onsite qualitative evaluations from those involved in pilot
tests. These individuals are representative of those who will eventually
use the products.
3. Review by National Advisory Committee of all projects at specified
intervals.
4. Review by the Senior Management Team of all products and product
revisions at specified intervals. Specified intervals will include:
during product design, after the product is designed, and after
refinement of the product (testing, revisions), and before dissemination.
The final quality check and approval will be the responsibility
of the Senior Management Team. While project progress is important,
the quality of products will have a more significant effect on maximizing
outcomes and impacts. In other words, the quality of products will
play a key role in ease of dissemination and usefulness to the target
population. Providing high quality and useful products is an overriding
goal of the Senior Management Team.
Summative Evaluation. Formative data will be combined for summative
evaluations at the end of the five-year period. Outcome and impact
data will be combined with the timelines for the summative evaluation.
The primary purpose of this evaluation will be to determine the
productivity, effectiveness, and impact on each of the three target
population groups.
The summative evaluation will especially focus on R-3, which is
the longitudinal study of Disability research information dissemination
and utilization. This research project is specifically designed
to evaluate changes in disability information dissemination and
utilization over time. Once valid variables are identified during
year one, these key variables will be used to conduct surveys that
can be used as part of annual evaluations and the composite five-year
summative evaluation. While many changes might not be directly attributed
to the DRIC, it will provide useful information to guide the Center
and to compare the performance outcomes and impacts of the DRIC.
Summative information will be forwarded to NI on Disability; other
research agencies; CILs, ILCs, and ILPs; and interested parties
and organizations, such as NCIL, APRIL, and NCD and consumers (including
family members). Several versions of the report will be produced
in formats and language that is practical for each target population
group. Alternate formats in large print, Braille and ASCII files
on disk will also be available.
(A) Implementing the plan of operation (1 point).
Key functions and the plan of operation have been described in
the "Plan of Operation" section on page ____.
In brief, the plan of operation is implemented through project
teams that have been assigned the responsibility of overseeing projects.
Responsibility includes both implementation and quality of project
operations and products. Project teams must ensure that activities
are on time and that the project stays within budget. Planned project
task, timeline, and budget criteria serve as the milestones for
plan implementation and project operation.
All projects are designed to meet the Secretary's Priority 5 requirements
and other identified needs in the field and also to operate in an
organized sequence of research, development, demonstration, dissemination,
utilization, and technical assistance (See Figure 3, Operational
Model of Projects and Project Sequence, Page ___). Project timelines
are developed so that projects are organized in a logical sequence
where results of initial projects are used in subsequent projects.
The Senior Management Team provides leadership, guidance, and oversight
which involves monitoring and shaping all projects. Primary tools
include formative and summative evaluations based on project performance,
budget performance, product quality, outcomes, and impacts.
(B) Achieving the project's intended outcomes and impacts (1 point).
Intended project outcomes and impacts are the responsibility of
project teams, which are held accountable by the Senior Management
Team. Overall outcomes and impacts have also been identified for
each target population group. See Figure 3, Operational Model of
Projects and Project Sequence, Page ___. Evaluation and assessment
information will be used to ensure DRIC outcomes are produced and
that intended impact is achieved.
(ii) The extent to which the plan of evaluation will be used to
improve the performance of the projects through the feedback generated
by its periodic assessments (1 point).
The critical means for evaluating project performance through feedback
and systematic assessment have been discussed in the two sections
above, "Project Evaluation and Enhancement" and "Center Evaluation
and Strategic Management." Formative assessment and feedback is
used at all levels. Criteria for project performance are found in
each project's tasks and timelines. To make assessments completed
tasks are compared to timelines. Assessments are made weekly within
each project by project directors and across all projects at monthly
intervals by the Senior Management Team.
The essential feedback qualities are immediacy and consistency.
By conducting regular, frequent reviews of progress, adjustments
are made on a timely basis, Center staff will minimize the required
effort, time and resources.
(iii) The extent to which the plan of evaluation provides for periodic
assessment of the project's progress that is based on identified
performance measures (4 total points).
(A) Progress Clearly Related to Intended Project Outcomes and Expected
Impacts on the Target Population (2 Points).
Proposed products, outcomes, and impacts are included in the planning
of each project. The specification of products, outcomes, and impacts
serves as criteria for project evaluation. The combined project
criteria serve as criteria for the Center. This criteria will be
entered into a database at the RTC/IL and updated and reviewed by
the Senior Management Team each month.
Monthly evaluation data will be entered directly into the spreadsheet
that has been designed and developed for the plan of evaluation
and project management. Pertinent data at ILRU will be forwarded
via e-mail attachments.
Data will be available at any time for project staff to make assessments
and to confirm or improve performance. Monthly performance reports
produced from the data to reflect project performance as well as
other project data will be combined to reflect total Center performance.
The Senior Management Team will review the performance and make
adjustments as necessary. This information will also be reviewed
by the National Advisory Committee and forwarded to the NI on Disability
project director.
It should be noted that in addition to the Center's products, outcome,
and impact evaluation system, R-3 is designed to evaluate dissemination
and utilization of disability research information on a national
level. This data will also be used in the overall evaluation and
used by project teams and the Senior Management Team. Outcomes from
the Center will be compared to national trends of dissemination
and utilization over a four-year period.
(B) Objectives: Appropriately Quantifiable or Qualitative (2 points).
Four measures are used to assess quantity and quality.
1. Objectives for each project will describe inputs, processes,
products, and outcomes. Products and outcomes will be quantified
as part of the overall evaluation.
2. Products will also be evaluated for quality and relevance by
consumers, National Advisory Committee members, Senior Management
Team, and assessment and feedback from product users.
3. Tasks and timelines will provide detailed timeline criteria
to be used for performance evaluation.
4. Criteria for methods of research and evaluation are established
in the research field. These criteria will be used to maintain a
specified level of rigor in each research project.
(l) Project Staff
(i) The extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have
appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct
all proposed activities (2 points).
Staff bring a wealth of education, training, and experience in
disciplines that are required for this Center. The disciplines include
psychology, communication, human development, political science,
management, and independent living. While the IL field is not considered
a discipline, concepts, philosophies, practices, and standards have
been pioneered by the key personnel who would be integrally involved
in the Center leadership.
A total of 75 years of experience across all of the disciplines
referenced above has been compiled by project staff. Brief resumes
of key personnel can be found in this section and complete resumes
can be found in Appendix E. These resumes include detailed information
about degrees, training, and experience using disciplines in various
positions, and the length of time in the positions.
It should be noted that 80% of key personnel on the Senior Management
Team have disabilities. Leaders also represent other underrepresented
groups in independent living including women and aging persons.
(ii) The extent to which the commitment of staff time is adequate
to accomplish all the proposed activities for the project (2 points).
Lex Frieden and Glen White will play key program and leadership
roles in the center. Both will serve as principal leaders on the
Senior Management Team. These leaders have distinguished themselves
individually in the IL field and rehabilitation research. Together
they will provide overall leadership for the Center's program. They
will also serve as principle liaisons to the IL and rehabilitation
research fields.
Lex Frieden will serve as a leader on the Senior Management Team
and as the Principal Investigator of project D-2, which is the central
project for the development and implementation of innovative strategies,
methods, and systems to diffuse Disability research information.
He will provide direct liaison with such organizations as the National
Better Business Bureau, NARIC, and the National Council on Independent
Living. Mr. Frieden holds a full-time faculty appointment at Baylor
College of Medicine, providing access to a wide range of research
resources, including computer technology, library materials, and
policy expertise. He is also Chairman of the Board of the AAPD (American
Association of People with Disabilities).
Dr. White will also serve as a leader on the Senior Management
Team and as Research Director for the Center and as P.I. on two
research projects (R-1 and R-2). He will provide direct liaison
with the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training
Centers (NARRTC), Association of Programs for Rural Independent
Living, and the American Public Health Association's Disability
Forum. Dr. White is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Human Development at the University of Kansas. He is currently President
of the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training
Centers (NARRTC).
The commitment of time of both Frieden and White are appropriate
and commensurate with similar projects operated by both the RTC/IL
and ILRU over the past 15 years. It should be noted that the percentage
of time allocated to this Center is greater than stated in the budget
and on projects. This is due to the fact that the individuals are
involved with projects under other grants, and these projects will
be combined with the projects designed for this Center.
Laurel Richards and Ken Golden will play key roles in demonstration,
dissemination, utilization, technical assistance and publication.
Richards has a broad background in developing products and using
communication systems that meet needs in the developing IL field.
Products, technical assistance, and training include interventions
for IL management, legislation, service, and advocacy. She has had
experience using a wide range of dissemination methods that include
"hands on training," newsletters, teleconferencing, and the Internet.
Richards will serve on the Senior Management Team and also as the
Training Coordinator. The proposed coordinator of training, Ms.
Richards serves on the NCIL Rehab Act Committee, and the P.I. of
D-3. In addition, she is a member of the NCIL board of directors.
These relationships will assist the Center staff in keeping informed
about developments in independent living policy and other issues
which come into play in the development of disability-related policy
and research. .
Ken Golden brings a background in establishing, refining, updating,
and evaluating databases and website design. Golden has experience
in using computer languages Visual Basic, C++ and for web design,
HTML 4.0. He also has experience in coordinating other activities
of editors, graphic artists, and Spanish translators to develop
the RTC/IL's products. One of Golden's recent accomplishments has
been the refinement and dissemination of the "Guidelines for Reporting
and Writing About People with Disabilities, 5th Edition" that serve
as standards for terminology in the disability field.
The RTC/IL "Guidelines" were adopted by the Associated Press Stylebook,
Journal of the Association for People With Severe Handicaps, Rehabilitation
Counseling Bulletin, Association of Retarded Citizens, National
Organization on Disability, American Association for the Advancement
of Science, and President's Committee on Employment of People With
Disabilities. The "Guidelines" have provided a common reference
for thousands of reporters who previously had no guidelines for
disability coverage and portrayals. The "Guidelines" are also referenced
twice in the American Psychological Association's Publication Manual
(4th Edition).
Golden will serve as Information Systems Manager and direct D-1
which is the development of the interactive and searchable disability
research information database. Mr Golden is Training Director for
the Research and Training Center on Independent Living, and past
chair of the training committee of the National Association of Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers.
James (Jim) Budde brings over 30 years of project management and
rehabilitation research experience. Budde has pioneered technology
for CIL evaluation and was directly involved in the development
of the CIL standards. His expertise in management, evaluation, research,
and university relations will be used to 1) coordinate grants management
functions through the University and NI on Disability, 2) provide
critical evaluation and management information, 3) promote quality
management and future planning, 4) ensure accountability across
the center, and 5) direct the longitudinal (R-3) research project
to evaluate Disability research information dissemination and utilization.
A portion of the percentage of Budde's time is included in the budget
with the University of Kansas providing the greater share in matching
funds.
Budde will serve as a leader on the Senior Management Team and
PI for the Center. Dr. Budde is currently Senior Scientist in the
Institute for Life Span Studies and Director of the Research and
Training Center on Independent Living at the University of Kansas
(iii) The extent to which key personnel are knowledgeable about
the methodology and literature of pertinent subject areas (2 points).
Knowledge about methodology and literature of pertinent subject
areas is evidenced by the literature reviews which accompany research
projects and set up the significance of the problem in the introduction
section of the narrative. Additionally, the key investigators' curriculum
vitae demonstrate ample demonstration of knowledge and application
in the fields of disability, independent living, and rehabilitation.
Please see Appendix E for copies of the curriculum vitae and resumes
of key personnel. Finally, contractual relationship with expert
consultants in specific areas also provides additional expertise,
as in project R-2, "Research Primer," development, in which an expert
research methodologist will provide consultation.
(iv) The extent to which key personnel have up-to-date knowledge
from research or effective practice in the subject area covered
in the priority (1 point).
While resumes of key personnel reflect publications and presentations
that demonstrate research and effective practices, many of the effective
demonstration, dissemination, utilization, technical assistance,
and training practices have been pioneered and refined by key personnel.
For example, all key personnel have been involved in developing,
refining, and using technical assistance and training in the IL
field. Work with such practices dates back to over 20 years. More
recently technical assistance and training has been provided through
teleconferencing, interactive conferencing, WWW pages, and other
state-of-the-art practices by key personnel.
Brief Biography and Resume
The sections below include brief biographical sketches and resumes
of the key leaders for this Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and center. Full resumes are included in Appendix E.
James F. Budde, Ed. D.
Overview: Dr. Budde's chief interest is to use practical research
and development to provide new and improved options for independent
living. He has worked to use research and development to enhance
consumer empowerment and independent living over the past 21 years.
He was co-founder of the Research and Training Center on Independent
Living in 1980 and has been Director since its establishment. Dr.
Budde was also co-founder of the Lawrence, Kansas CIL, Independence,
Incorporated in 1968. He works actively with CILs across the country
and has been a continuous board member and officer of Independence,
Incorporated, serving three terms as President. He is past President
of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs, the
National Association of Independent Living, and the National Association
of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers.
Dr. Budde received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Education from Wayne
State College, a Masters of Science from the University of Nebraska,
and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. He has worked in
private business, public schools, state government, and higher education.
He is the author of 42 research publications and IL intervention
products. He has provided technical assistance to over 100 CILs
and disability organizations, consumer organizations, policy makers,
and federal/state agencies. Dr. Budde has managed and conducted
more than 20 projects and grants involving Disability research technical
assistance, training, and dissemination.
Organization: Research and Training Center, University of Kansas
Title: Director, Senior Scientist
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
Wayne State College B.F.E 1962 Business University of Nebraska
M.S 1968 Counseling University of Kansas Ed.D. 1976 Ed. Policy /Leadership
Recent Employment History:
Director; Kansas University Research and Training Center on Independent
Living; University of Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; 1980-present.
Associate Director; Kansas University Affiliated Program (Lawrence,
Kansas City, and Parsons Centers); University of Kansas; 1991-present.
Assistant Director; Gerontology; University of Kansas, Lawrence,
Kansas; 1980-1983. Director; Kansas University Affiliated Facility
(Lawrence Center); University of Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; 1975-82.
Relevant Publications:
Budde, J. F. (1979). Measuring performance in human service systems.
New York, NY: American Management Association, ISBN 0-8144-5551-4.
Jones, M. L., Hannah, J. K., Fawcett, S. B., Seekins, T., &
Budde, J. F. (1984). The Independent living movement: A model for
community integration of persons with disabilities. In W. P. Christian,
G. T. Hannah, & T. J. Gahns (Eds.), Programming effective human
services, pp. 315-335. New York, NY: Plenum Publishing.
Barker, L. T., Budde, J. F., & Lachat, M. A. (1986). Comprehensive
Evaluation of Title VII, Part B Centers for Independent Living:
Final Report. Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Planning Associates.
Budde, J. F. (1986). The National Organization for Independent
Living: NAIL. Journal of Rehabilitation, 52 (3), 39-43.
Budde, J. F., Petty, C. R., Nelson, C., & Couch, R. (June,
1986). Evaluating the impact of independent living centers on consumers
and the community. Journal of Rehabilitation, 52 (2), 68-73.
Budde, J. F., & Bachelder, J. L. (1986). Independent living:
The concept, model, and theory. The Journal of Association for Persons
with Severe Handicaps, 11 (4), 240-245.
Budde, J. F., Lachat, M. A., Lattimore, J. L., Jones, M. L., &
Stolzman, L. (1988). Standards for independent living centers. Lawrence:
University of Kansas, Research and Training Center on Independent
Living.
Seekins, T., Mathews, R. M., Fawcett, S. B., Jones, M. L., &
Budde, J. F. (1988). A market-oriented strategy for applied research
in independent living rehabilitation. Journal of Rehabilitation,
54 (1), 35-38.
Budde, J. F., & Stoddard, S., Lattimore, J., & Krause,
L. (1988). Rehabilitation Services Administration Minimum Compliance
Indicators. Lawrence: University of Kansas, Research and Training
Center on Independent Living. Final version to be published in the
Federal Register.
Lattimore, J., Ulicny, G., Budde, J., & Ludlow, J. H. (1989)
RIL (Resources for independent living): A manual and computerized
information directory. Lawrence: University of Kansas, Research
and Training Center on Independent Living.
Eakins, D., Budde, J. F., Lattimore, J., (1989). Indicators +1:
A computerized information system for independent living centers.
Lawrence: University of Kansas, Research and Training Center on
Independent Living.
Budde, J. F., Petty, C. R., & Nelson, C. (1989). Problems and
benefits associated with independent living consumer satisfaction
evaluation. Journal of Rehabilitation, 55 (4), 62-68 (607).
Budde, J. F. (1990). Independent living and aging. In S. Brody
& L. G. Pawlson (Eds.), Aging and Rehabilitation II, pp. 57-73.
New York, NY: Springer Publishing., ISBN 0-8261-7080-3.
Budde, J. F., Feighny, K., White, G. W., Altus, D., & Snyder,
J. (1994) Consumer Control: To command control and achieve goals.
Lawrence: University of Kansas, Research and Training Center on
Independent Living.
Budde, J. F., Youngbauer, J., & Altus, D. (1997). Independent
living and underserved consumers with mental retardation, Volume
II, Underserved Population Monograph Series. Lawrence: University
of Kansas, Research and Training Center on Independent Living.
Related Grants:
Budde, J. F., Research and Training Center on Independent Living/
Underserved, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research, 1993-present.
Budde, J. F., Harbert, T. A Study of Policies and Procedures that
Facilitate Discharge Placement in Less Costly and More Independent
Living Alternatives, Department of Veteran Affairs, 1991-1992.
Budde, J. F. Increasing Consumer Control and Independent Living
Goal Achievement, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 1990-1993.
Budde, J. F. Development of Performance Indicators for Independent
Living Centers Rehabilitation Services Administration, 1987-1988.
Budde, J. F., Development of a Resource Information System for
Independent Living, National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation
Research, 1986-1987.
Budde, J. F., Research and Training Center on Independent Living,
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 1985-1991.
Budde, J. F., Research and Training Center on Independent Living,
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 1980-1985.
Selected Honors or Awards:
President, National Association of Rehabilitation Research and
Training Centers, 1987-1988. President, National Association of
Independent Living, National Rehabilitation Association Division,
1985-86.
Panel Member, Independent Living Consensus Forum for the National
Council on the Handicapped, 1985.
President, American Association of University Affiliated Programs,
1981-82.
Lex Frieden, M.A.
Overview: Lex Frieden is Senior Vice President at The Institute
for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston, Texas. TIRR a
comprehensive medical rehabilitation center which provides clinical,
educational, and research programs pertaining to spinal cord and
brain injuries and other disabling conditions. He is also Director
of TIRR's Independent Living Research Utilization Program and Professor
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine.
From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Frieden served as Executive Director of
the National Council on the Handicapped (now the National Council
on Disability), an independent Federal agency located in Washington,
D.C. In this capacity, he was instrumental in conceiving and drafting
the recently enacted Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A graduate of Tulsa University, Mr. Frieden has been honored as
a Distinguished Alumnus. He also holds a master's degree in social
psychology from the University of Houston. He has done additional
graduate work in rehabilitation psychology at the University of
Houston with support from an SRS doctoral fellowship, and he has
been awarded a World Rehabilitation Fund Fellowship to study programs
for people with disabilities in Europe. Currently, he is Vice President
for North America of Rehabilitation International, and he serves
as a member of the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Standard
Rules for Disability.
Mr. Frieden, a quadriplegic due to spinal cord injury, has been
involved in the organization of several groups of disabled individuals
including the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities,
the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and the Houston Coalition
for Barrier Free Living. He is presently Chairman of the American
Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).
Working in the independent living movement by severely disabled
people since the early 1970s, Mr. Frieden has published several
books and papers on independent living. He served as a consultant
panel member for the United States House of Representatives' Committee
on Science and Technology from 1976 through 1978, and he prepared
the background paper on Community and Residential Based Housing
for the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in 1977.
From 1989 to 1990, he represented the United States on a disability
and employment panel at the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development in Paris, France
He has received two Presidential Citations for his work in the
field of disability, and he was honored by the U.S. Jaycees in 1983
as one of America's Ten Outstanding Young Men.
Organization: Independent Living Research Utilization Program,
TIRR--The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Title: Director
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK B.S. 1971 Psychology University
of Houston, Houston, TX M.A. 1979 Social Psychology Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX None 1972-74 Rehabilitation (Research Intern)
University of Houston, Houston, TX None 1974-75 Psychology (Teaching
Fellow)
Recent Employment History:
Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation;
Baylor College of Medicine; Houston, Texas, 1995-Present
Clinical Associate Professor; Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation; Baylor College of Medicine; 1993-1995
Clinical Associate Professor; Department of Community Medicine;
Baylor College of Medicine; 1993-Present
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), Houston,
Texas, Senior Vice President for Grants Administration, 1991-Present
TIRR Foundation, Houston, Texas, Executive Director, 1988-1991
Assistant Professor; Department of Rehabilitation; Baylor College
of Medicine; 1980-1991
National Council on the Handicapped, Washington DC, Executive Director,
1984-1988
Visiting Scholar; Human Service Administration Program; Cornell
University; 1981
TIRR Independent Living Research Utilization Program, Houston,
Texas, Director and Co-founder, 1979-1984.
Research Instructor; Department of Rehabilitation; Baylor College
of Medicine; 1978-1980
TIRR New Options Project, Houston, Texas, Research Director, 1976-1980
Relevant Publications:
Smith, L. W., Smith, Q. W., Richards, L., Frieden, L., & King,
K. (Spring, 1994) Independent Living Centers: Moving Into The 21st
Century. American Rehabilitation, 20 (1), pp. 14-22.
Frieden, L. (July-August, 1978). Independent Living: The movement
and Its Programs. American Rehabilitation, 3 (6), pp. 6-9.
Frieden, L., & Richards, L. (1979) Independent Living: Choosing
From a Variety of Programs. Disabled USA, 2 (9), pp. 11-14.
Frieden, L. (July-August, 1980) Independent Living Program Models.
Rehabilitation Literature, 41 (7-8), pp.169-173.
Frieden, L. (Fall/Winter, 1981). Independent Living in the U.S.
and Implications for Other Countries. Rehabilitation World, pp.
10-14.
Frieden, L. & Cole, J. (November, 1985). Independence: The
Ultimate Goal of Rehabilitation. American Journal of Occupational
Therapy, 39 (11), pp. 734-739.
Richards, L. & Frieden, L. (Spring, 1992). Introduction to
Rural Independent Living. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 11
(1), pp. 3-5.
Wilkinson, W., Frieden, L., & Smith, Q. (Winter, 1994). Implications
of the Americans with Disabilities Act for Training of Independent
Living Personnel. Rehabilitation Education, 8 (1), pp. 47-58.
Related Grants:
Director, ILRU Research and Training Center in Independent Living,
6/93-9/95, Estimated Total Project Funding $2.8 million, NI on Disability
Grant #H133B0008
Director, Southwest Disability and Business Technical Assistance
Center, 10/91-9/96, Estimated Total Project Funding $1.8 million,
NI on Disability Grant #H133D10131
National Program Director, Improving Service Systems for People
with Disabilities, 6/89-5/95, Estimated Total Project Funding $2.3
million, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant #22630
Several Smaller research and demonstration projects with funding
totaling roughly $1 million.
Selected Honors or Awards:
Presidential Citations for Distinguished Service from President
Reagan (1988) and President Bush (1990). Gold Key (Highest Honor)
by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, 1994, Selected
Phi Beta Kappa Alumnus of Beta Oklahoma Chapter at the University
of Tulsa,1994
Glen W. White, Ph.D.
Overview: Glen W. White, Ph.D., a spinal cord injured person since
1964, has been involved in the rehabilitation and independent living
field for over 27 years. As Co-Director of the Research and Training
Center on Independent Living at the University of Kansas, Dr. White
has had numerous opportunities to conduct local, state, and national
research and training with participants who have disabilities. He
has conducted research in the areas of health promotion and prevention
of secondary conditions for people with disabilities, developing
community support for Independent living centers, and advocacy skill
training for people with disabilities. Dr. White has served on numerous
local, state, and national organizations dealing with disability
issues currently he is President of the National Association of
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (NARRTC). He recently
completed work as a committee member of the Institute of Medicine
Committee at the National Academy of Sciences, which has recently
released Enabling America: Assessing Rehabilitation Science and
Engineering. Currently Dr. White serves as an Associate Professor
in the Department of Human Development and Family Life, at the University
of Kansas. At the university he directs the Research Group on Rehabilitation
and Independent Living, which serves as the think tank and working
group for several doctoral students committed to research in the
area of rehabilitation and independent living. Dr. White also teaches
in the areas of community psychology, applied behavior analysis,
and disability studies.
Organization: Associate Professor; Research and Training Center
on Independent Living, University of Kansas Title: Associate Director
and Associate Scientist; Associate Professor in HDFL
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
Winona State University B.S. 1973 Psychology/Sociology Winona State
University M.S. 1980 Ed. Psych. & Counseling University of Kansas
M.A. 1988 Developmental Psychology University of Kansas Ph.D 1991
Developmental Psychology Program emphasis on Rehabilitation and
Independent Living
Recent Employment History:
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family
Life, University of Kansas; Lawrence, KS; 1991-1998.
Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family
Life, University of Kansas; Lawrence, KS; 1998-present.
Co-Director, Research and Training Center on Independent Living
- Underserved Populations; University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; 1991-present.
Research Associate and Associate Scientist, Richard L. Schieffelbush
Institute for Life-Span Studies, University of Kansas; 1991-present.
Recent Publications:
Fawcett, S. B., White, G. W., Balcazar, F. E., Suarez-Balcazar,
Y., Mathews, R. M., Paine, A. L., Seekins, T., & Smith, J. F.
(1994). A contextural-behavioral model of empowerment: Case studies
with people with disabilities. American Journal of Community Psychology,
22 (4), 471-496.
White, G. W., Paine-Andrews, A. L., Mathews, R. M., & Fawcett,
S. B. (1995). Home access modifications: Their effects on community
visits of people with physical disabilities. Journal of Applied
Behavior Analysis, 28 (4), 457-463.
White, G. W., Seekins, T., & Gutierrez, R. T. (1996). Preventing
and managing secondary conditions: A proposed role for independent
living centers. Journal of Rehabilitation, 62 (3), 14-21. White,
G. W., Thomson, R., & Nary, D. E. (1997). An empirical analysis
of the effects of a self-administered advocacy letter training program.
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 41 (2), 74-87.
White, G. W. (1997). Introduction to the special feature. The Community
Psychologist, 30 (1), 9-11.
Nary, D. E., White, G. W., & Thomson, R. (1997). The Action
Letter Portfolio: Advocacy training for community change. The Community
Psychologist, 30 (1), 14-15.
Gutierrez, R., Froehlich, K. & White, G. W. (1997). Empowering
people with head injuries to influence policy decisions. The Community
Psychologist, 30 (1), 26-27.
White, G. W., & White, N. L. (1993). The adoptive process:
Challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities. In F.
P. Haseltine, S. S. Cole, and D. B. Gray (Eds.), Reproductive issues
for persons with physical disabilities (pp.107-115). Baltimore,
MA: Brookes Publishing.
Fawcett, S. B., Suarez de Balcazar, Y., Balcazar, F. E., White,
G. W., Paine, A. L., Blanchard, K. A., & Embree, M. G. (1994).
Conducting intervention research: The design and development process.
In J. Rothman & E. J. Thomas (Eds.), Intervention research:
Design and development for human service. (pp. 25-54). New York,
NY: Haworth Press.
White, G. W., & Fawcett, S. B. (in press). Independent living
and people with disabilities. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.),
Handbook of Community Psychology. New York, NY: Plenum Publications.
A. Pope & E. Bryant (Eds.) (1997). Enabling America: Assessing
Rehabilitation Science and Engineering. Washington, DC: Institute
of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. Served as one of 16 invited
IOM Committee Members who co-wrote this book.
Related Grants:
Co-Principal Investigator, "Preventing and managing secondary conditions:
Building on independent living models of self help and personal
responsibility," U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
1991-1993.
Co-Principal Investigator, "Research and Training Center on Independent
Living for Underserved Populations," Department of Education, National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 1993-1998.
Principal Investigator, New Faculty Award. "An empirical analysis
of advocacy skills training," University of Kansas,1994.
Principal Investigator, "Translation of secondary condition training
materials into Spanish." Paralyzed Veterans of America, Educational
and Training Foundation, 1994-1995.
Principal Investigator, "Health promotion for women with physical
disabilities," University of Kansas, Research Development Fund,
1997-1998.
Principal Investigator, "Award supplement for research on mammography
screening for women with physical disabilities: Health promotion
for persons with disabilities and prevention of secondary conditions,"
Research and Demonstration Grant from the Office on Disability and
Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997-1998.
Principal Investigator, "Health promotion for persons with disabilities
and prevention of secondary conditions," Research and Demonstration
Grant from the Office on Disability and Health, U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 1997-2000.
Co-Principal Investigator, "Cost effectiveness analysis of a community
health promotion initiative," Research and Demonstration Grant from
the Office on Disability and Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 1997-2000.
Principal Investigator, "State capacity building project: Assessing
health outcomes of recipients of the physical disabilities waiver
program," Subcontract from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
and part of an overall award from a state capacity-building grant
from the Office on Disability and Health, U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 1997-2001.
Principal Investigator, "Conference on secondary conditions among
people from minority cultures." Conference Grant from the Office
on Disability and Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
1998-1999.
Ken Golden, M.A.
Overview: Ken Golden's chief interest is applying computer-based
training and information technology to independent living. He is
pursuing a degree in computer programming and primarily is studying
Visual Basic and C++. In addition, he is the web master for the
Research and Training Center on Independent Living.
He is a person with paraplegia since 1990. He was a consumer volunteer
at the CIL, Independence Incorporated, from 1990-91. From 1991 to
1998, he was a board member and served six consecutive years as
president of the board. He was also member of National Association
of Rehabilitation Research and Training board and served four years
as the chairman of the Training Committee. He is member of DIMENET's
editorial board for three years. Finally, he has served three years
on the US Commission on Civil Rights' State Advisory Committee.
Organization: Research and Training Center on Independent Living
Title: Training Coordinator
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
Johnson County Community College A.A. in progress Computer Programming
University of Kansas M.A. 1992 Political Science University of Kansas
M.A. 1991 Russ/East European Studies University of Southern Colorado
B.A. 1984 History/German Minor Lamar Community College A.A. 1981
Liberal Arts
Recent Employment History:
Training Coordinator, Research and Training Center on Independent
Living, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 1993 to present. Project
Coordinator, Research and Training Center on Independent Living,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 1992 to 1995.
Relevant Publications:
Seekins, T., White, G.W., Ravesloot, C., Young, Q-R., Lpez, J.
C., Golden, K., Norris, K. & Szalda-Petree, A. (1995). Rural
Facts: Rural health and disability. Missoula: University of Montana,
Rural Institute on Disabilities.
Seekins, T., White, G.W., Ravesloot, C., Young, Q-R., Lpez, J.
C., Golden, K., Norris, K. & Szalda-Petree, A. (1995). Cost
containment through disability prevention: preliminary results of
a health promotion workshop for people with physical disabilities.
Missoula: University of Montana, Rural Institute on Disabilities.
Golden, K., & RTC/IL Staff. (1996). Guidelines for writing
and reporting about people with disabilities. Lawrence: University
of Kansas, Research and Training Center on Independent Living.
Golden, K. (1996 to present). RTC/IL [Web page], Available web
address: www.lsi.ukans.edu/rtcil/rtcil.htm
Lopez, J.C., Golden, W., White, G., Steward, J., & Seekins,
T. (in press). Risk factors for secondary conditions in people with
spinal cord injury.
Related Grants:
Golden, K., (1998). Choices: Consumers' Guide to Rehabilitation.
Education and Training Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Laurel Richards
Overview: A member of ILRU since 1978, Richards serves as director
of training for the ILRU Research and Training Center on Independent
Living at TIRR and is a member of the Senior Management Team for
IL NET, the national independent living training and technical assistance
project. She has primary responsibility for development of resource
materials, including serving as editor of the ILRU Insights newsletter,
Issues in Independent Living monograph series, Staying On Track
CIL management handbook, Readings in Independent Living series,
and the IL Information You Can Use series of fact sheets. With Quentin
Smith, she developed and conducted an innovative management training
program directed toward executive directors and middle managers
of independent living centers. With the help of Laurie Gerken Redd,
Richards established a national network of technical assistants
for independent living in 1985. The network consists of over 100
individuals available to provide consultation and technical assistance
in all aspects of independent living center operations, disability
rights, and the Americans with Disabilities Act--facilitating peer
support networking among people working in the independent living
field. The ILRU Network of Technical Assistants for IL is now available
in an on-line, searchable database (www.DIMENET.com/ilruta).
Organization: Independent Living Research Utilization Title: Training
Director
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
University of North Carolina, Asheville B.A. 1970 Literature University
of Houston 1974 English (Thesis Incomplete)
Recent Employment History:
Director of Training; Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
Program; The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research; 1985-Present.
Project Director; National Independent Living Development and Support
Network; 1994- Present.
Project Director; ILRU Management Training Project for Independent
Living Center Executive Directors; 1989-Present.
Director of Training; ILRU Research and Training Center on Independent
Living at TIRR; 1985- Present.
Project Director; ILRU Management Training Project for Independent
Living Center Middle Managers; 1987 û 1990.
Project Director; ILRU Management Training for Independent Living
Center Executive Directors; 1984 û 1987.
Training and Materials Development Coordinator; ILRU Program; TIRR;
1977 û 1985.
Selected Publications:
Richards, L., Smith, Q., Redd, L., Dresden, C., & Frieden,
L. (1982-1996). ILRU Insights: A National Newsletter for Independent
Living. Vols. 1-14.
Richards, L., Herzog, S., McAllister, A., Heinsohn, D., & Zhu,
Y. (1979-1998). Directory of Centers, SILCS, & Related Organizations.
Houston, TX: ILRU.
Michaels, R., Kailes, J. I., Richards, L., & Dresden, C. (1995).
Standards and More: Beyond Compliance, IL NETWORK: National Training
and Technical Assistance Project Training Manual. Houston, TX: ILRU.
Rennick, V., House, R., Jones, D., Richards, L., Smith, Q., &
Dresden, C. (Eds.). (1995). Expanding Your Management Foundation:
Readings in Management Literature--Financial Management. Houston,
TX: ILRU.
House, R., Rennick, V., Jones, D., Richards, L., & Dresden,
C. (In press). Expanding Your Management Foundation: Readings in
Management Literature--Basic Supervision Houston, TX: ILRU.
House, R., Rennick, V., Jones, D., Richards, L., & Dresden,
C. . (In press). Expanding Your Management Foundation: Readings
in Management Literature--Hiring, Diversity, and More. Houston,
TX: ILRU.
Kailes, J., Michaels, R., Dresden, C., Heinsohn, D., Richards,
L., Shepard, R., Lin, R., & Hughey, A. (1997). Taking Charge:
Leadership and Systems Advocacy. Houston, TX: ILRU.
Michaels, R., McDonald, G., Dresden, C., Heinsohn, D., Richards,
L., Shepard, R., Lin, R., & Hughey, A. (1997). The SILC Difference:
"Yes, You Can!" Houston, TX: ILRU.
Michaels, R., Kailes J., Richards L., & Dresden C. (1995).
Standards & More: Beyond Compliance. Houston, TX: ILRU Program.
Richards, L., Dresden, C., Heinsohn, D., McAllister, A., Shepard,
R., Shore, G., & Kemp-Moye, D. (1995). Developing the Three-Year
Plan: A National Teleconference on Independent Living. Houston,
TX: ILRU.
Smith, Q., Frieden, L., and Richards, L. (1995). Independent Living.
Encyclopedia of Disability and Rehabilitation. New York, NY: Simon
and Schuster.
Denk, J., Shreve, M., Richards, L., King, K., Smith, L., &
Smith, Q. (1994). Applying marketing principles. Staying on Track:
ILRU Management Support Series. Houston, TX: ILRU.
Smith, Q.W., Richards, L., Redd, L.G., & Frieden, L. (1994).
Improving management effectiveness in independent living centers
through research and training. OSERS, 6 (2).
Smith, L.W., Smith, Q.W., Richards, L., Frieden, L., & King,
K. (Spring 1994). Independent living centers: Moving into the 21st
century. American Rehabilitation, 20 (1), 14-22.
Michaels, B., Kailes, J., Richards, L., Dresden, C., Heinsohn,
D., Hughey, A., & Kemp-Moye, D. (1995). Frequently Asked Questions
About the Rehab Act and the Role of the SILC.
Redd, L., Richards, L., Dresden, C., Sykes, R., & Spooner,
P. (1995). Accessing the 'ILRU Job Bank' through DIMENETûInstructions
for Newbies.
Richards, L. (1995). Information You Can Use: Funding Opportunities.
Michaels, B., Kailes, J., Richards, L., Dresden, C., Heinsohn,
D., Hughey, A., & Kemp-Moye, D. (1995). Information You Can
Use: Statewide Independent Living Councils--7 Fact Sheets.
Michaels, B., Kailes, J., Richards, L., Dresden, C., Heinsohn,
D., Hughey, A., & Kemp-Moye, D. (1996). Information You Can
Use: The Rehabilitation Act--4 Fact Sheets.
Michaels, B. & Richards, L. (1997). Frequently Asked Questions--Lobbying.
Yeager, P., Richards, L., & Redd, L. (1998). Getting the Most
Out of Consultation Services.
Michaels, B., Richards, L. Dresden, C., & Heinsohn, D. (1998).
Frequently Asked Questions About Lobbying and CILS--Revised.
Appointments:
Member, Rehabilitation Act Subcommittee, National Council for Independent
Living (NCIL); 1991-Present.
Member, Fund-raising Committee, NCIL; 1994.
Member, Editorial Committee, DIMENET Computer Network; 1993-Present.
.
Carri L. George
Overview: Carri George has worked in the Independent Living movement
for 15 years. She was the director of Volar Center for Independent
Living in El Paso, Texas, for four years before coming to ILRU in
1998. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the College of William
and Mary. Ms. George serves as the Regional Representative for Region
VI on the board of the National Council on Independent Living.
Organization: Independent Living Research Utilization Title: Project
Associate
Institution Degree Year Field of Study
College of William and Mary B.A. 1981 English University of Texas
at El Paso M.A. in progress Professional Writing & Rhetoric
Recent Employment History:
Project Associate; Independent Living Research Utilization; Houston,
Texas; April 1998-Present.
Director; Volar Center for Independent Living; El Paso, Texas;
1994-1998.
Programs Coordinator; Volar Center for Independent Living; El Paso,
Texas; 1991-1994.
Outreach/Information & Referral Coordinator; Volar Center for
Independent Living; El Paso, Texas; 1985-1991.
Advocacy/Outreach Coordinator; Volar Center for Independent Living;
El Paso, Texas; 1984-1985.
Staff Writer/ Photographer; El Paso Community College; El Paso
Texas; 1981-1983.
(m) Adequacy and Accessibility of Resources (4 total points).
(i) The extent to which the applicant is committed to provide adequate
facilities, equipment, other resources, including administrative
support (2 points).
Facilities
The Kansas Board of Regents designated the RTC/IL as a major University
Research Center in 1980. In June of 1990, the Center moved into
the Robert Dole Human Development Center. The Dole Center includes
115,000 square feet of research and training space of which 3,420
square feet is permanently assigned to the RTC/IL. This space encompasses
four large center suites, specifically configured for the Center's
use, including two research suites, one training suite, and one
administrative suite. This will provide adequate space for the DRIC,
for expansion of related projects. All Center space adheres to current
ADAAG guidelines and is completely barrier-free.
While the RTC/IL has discrete space, it also has access to common
space for interdisciplinary research, training, management and leadership
functions. Common space includes large conference rooms, media rooms,
computer rooms, presentation rooms, classrooms, and reception areas.
The ILRU program is located in fully-accessible, commercial office
complex near downtown Houston, Texas. The complex includes offices,
conference rooms, common work areas, and reception areas. There
is adequate space for project staff and work activities for this
proposed DRRP.
Equipment
Computers are available and used extensively to increase production
and reduce costs. All staff members have computers that are used
for word processing, telecommunications, statistics, graphics, e-mail,
Internet access, data management, and numerous other uses. The RTC/IL
is part of a local area network (DoleNet) that is part of the Schiefelbusch
Life Span Institute (LSI). This network is managed by the Computer
Application Unit (CAU) of the LSI.
The network includes a dedicated web server that provides numerous
software packages shared on the network, and access to the university
network system, and access to the World Wide Web (WWW) 24 hours
a day. The Center's website is located on this server (http://www.lsi.ukans/rtcil.htm).
The RTC/IL's website is accessible to people with visual disabilities
using the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines.
The RTC/IL has desktop publishing software that has been used to
publish a variety of products. In addition, the Center has the capability
for web design and software development. The Center has recently
produced two consumer-targeted software programs on goal setting
and risk reduction of secondary conditions. The Center also has
a full range of audio-video equipment and a media publishing system
that includes a color scanner and printer. The library offers a
concentration of disability policy and IL literature including current,
professional journals and consumer periodicals. Some of the Center's
major equipment include 1 telecommunication device for the deaf
(TDD), 20 Pentium-grade IBM-compatible computers, 3 Pentium-grade
IBM-compatible laptop computers, a portable printer, 12 laser printers,
1 overhead projector, one video camera, one VCR, one monitor, 1
carousel slide projector, 3 copy machines, a binding machine, and
a FAX machine. Because all Center computers are IBM-compatible,
text files and data can be easily shared among Center staff.
The ILRU office is equipped with IBM-compatible Pentium microcomputers
and a state-of-the-art local area network. The local network is
online 24-hours per day via T1 connection to Baylor College of Medicine's
internet and e-mail services, with direct backbone linkages to both
Internet 1 and 2. The Baylor Computing Resource Center (CRC) provides
network support.
ILRU currently operates an elaborate, high-traffic World Wide Web
site (http://www.ilru.org) using Baylor College of Medicine's newest,
high-speed servers. ILRU also supports the operation of DIMENET,
the only consumer-controlled, fully accessible, national computer
network address the needs of people with disabilities. ILRU has
high speed copying equipment, scanning capabilities, and other resources
needed for production of resource materials. TDDs are available
for communicating with individuals who have hearing or speech-related
disabilities. Also, working relationships are in place with local
vendors who provide on-call braille material, as well as videotaped
material with open or closed captioning.
Other Resources Including Administrative Support
The LSI at the University of Kansas was created, in part, because
of the growing national realization that all Americans, disabled
or not, are living longer and that their developmental problems
at any age affect families and communities as well as individuals.
The LSI facilitates life span research, service projects, and training
programs conducted by investigators who study human developmental,
family, and independent living issues. The LSI provides opportunities
for scientists of diverse disciplines (and a broad range of professional
specialties) to unite in the study of the human developmental cycle
from birth through aging.
Support services provided by the LSI include the following
Computer Applications Unit (CAU). Each major setting and satellite
setting of the LSI includes an array of microcomputers connected
by a local area network (LAN). The CAU maintains a staff of programmer/analysts,
network support staff, electronics technicians, and clerical help.
This staff provides services for all settings and supports approximately
200 microcomputers located at LSI sites in Lawrence, Parsons, and
Kansas City. The microcomputers supported by the CAU communicate
with the KU central computers through one of the KU networks by
direct Ethernet connections or through modems.
Communications. The LSI maintains a staff of professional video
production personnel (including sound engineers and graphics artists)
to support research and clinical training activities. The LSI has
internal availability, or has access to, the technical and artistic
talent and equipment necessary to produce professional videotaped
programs and printed publications. Media services facilities are
located in the Kansas University Affiliated Program (KUAP) building
in Parsons and in the Dole Human Development Center in Lawrence.
The videotape production facility is at Parsons and comprises a
sound studio, production staff and equipment. The media and communications
program provides quality production in almost all existing media
formats for scientific and public information dissemination.
Research Design and Analysis. The Research Design and Analysis
Unit (RDA) advises LSI scientists on research design, measurement,
and selection of appropriate statistical techniques, as well as
data management. It also coordinates a consortium of faculty statistical
consultants who provide their expertise to LSI associates at every
stage of the research process from grant writing through implementation
and final report preparation. The RDA Unit also provides opportunities
for updating quantitative skills through workshops, seminars, and
brown-bag sessions.
Project Development. Activities in the LSI provide an umbrella
for a broad array of innovations that foster an expanding research
program based on quality and substance. The LSI Director's staff
includes project development personnel to assist in preparing, processing
and submitting applications for sponsored research. The procedure
is streamlined to make this service convenient and efficient for
investigators. The Associate Director for Project Development works
with the investigator to prepare budgets, satisfy State and Federal
requirements that apply to applications, and adhere to University
submission requirements.
Grants Management and Administration. The Associate Director for
Finance and Administration directs a cadre of administrative staff,
accountants, and bookkeepers who are responsible for the computer-based
accounting and reporting system involving the receipt and disbursement
of State and Federal grant funds. The Associate Director for Finance
and Administration insures that all State and Federal guidelines
are followed, that funds are disbursed according to regulations,
and that the resources of the LSI are up-to-date and are used effectively
and efficiently. These internal resources ensure that regular progress
reports submitted to Federal funding agencies are produced in a
timely manner.
The broader University community offers many additional resources
for research and training. Long known for its commitment to academic
excellence, the University of Kansas considers research an integral
part of the educational process. The University has more than 40
special research facilities in addition to those in individual departments
and schools. The University is classified by the National Science
Foundation as a major research university.
Current enrollment at the University of Kansas is over 27,000 with
1,900 faculty members. The Graduate School, with current enrollment
of 5,700 students, offers doctoral degrees in 51 fields. The University's
modern library system contains over 3 million items. The University
of Kansas maintains a variety of state-of-the-art computing facilities,
providing extensive support for research. Several Digital Alpha-based
central computing platforms are available to research users. The
University also hosts the Kansas Center for Advanced Scientific
Computing, with a 16-processor Silicon Graphics/Cray Origin 2000
supercomputer. The University of Kansas was an early participant
in the Internet, and is a founding member of the Great Plains Network,
which will multiply the University's Internet bandwidth beginning
in the Fall of 1998. The University is also an active member of
the Internet II project. There is an extensive campus network, built
around an ATM backbone. In addition, the University Printing Service
provides offset reproduction, binding, mailing, and high-quality
photocopying.
Administratively, ILRU is a program of TIRR (The Institute of Rehabilitation
and Research), which conducts an extensive array of clinical, research,
and education programs related to rehabilitation medicine, disability
policy, and independent living. TIRR maintains affiliations with
Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science
Center, the Medical Branch at the University of Houston, Rice University,
and other academic institutions. TIRR has been recognized in each
of the past 10 years as one of America's top 10 rehabilitation hospitals
by U.S. News and World Report.
(ii) Accessible Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources for
Individuals With Disabilities (2 points).
The Dole Center at KU includes 115,000 square feet of space that
has been specifically designed to set a standard for accessibility
for all persons regardless of their age. This not only includes
architectural design, but equipment and telecommunications design.
Center staff with disabilities served on the University Architectural
Barrier Committee to ensure that architects and builders created
a building that has full exterior and interior accessibility. In
addition to structural access, the Center has provided a number
of special accommodations for staff and students. These accommodations
include specially built desks for wheelchair users, computer scanners,
voice synthesizers, telephones with Braille keypads, and voice-activated
headsets.
A strong center commitment to a barrier-free environment, and staff
with disabilities continue to advocate for full accessibility within
the LSI and across the KU campus.
All the facilities at the ILRU program and The Institute for Rehabilitation
and Research are fully accessible, exceeding all local, state, and
federal rules and guidelines. The ILRU program is the site of one
of ten federally-designated technical assistance centers on the
ADA. Technical assistance on accessibility is provided by ILRU to
individuals and organizations throughout the Southwest United States.
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