Overview of NCDDR

The NCDDR seeks to accomplish two major goals: (1) ensure the widespread dissemination and utilization (D & U) of research outcomes resulting from NIDRR research projects, and (2) increase the capacity of researchers to identify and use development and dissemination strategies that meet the needs of their target audiences.

To accomplish these goals the NCDDR will use a variety of strategies that are designed to assist NIDRR grantees. A sample of these include:

• conduct a survey-based market analysis to describe major D & U characteristics of various target audiences
• develop user-friendly written guides, pamphlets, and other materials to facilitate understanding of what is known about effective information dissemination
• develop self-assessment instrumentation to foster calculation of a grant's "dissemination quotient"
• plan and conduct a variety of training events for nidrr grantees in selected d & u areas
• develop and share periodic communications such as the NCDDR newsletter, The Research Exchange, via user-preferred accessible formats and modes
• identify outcomes of NIDRR-funded projects that are in need of further dissemination and implement activities to expand awareness and use of NIDRR grantees' outcomes
• describe the influence of culture on dissemination of information, and develop strategies to meet the information dissemination needs of identified racial or ethnic minority groups

This is an age of expanding information. The NCDDR's challenge is to make the grantees' research outcomes as clear as possible. And, to couple that message with an effective dissemination strategy that targets all potential users of the research.

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