Choosing a Primary Format, Research Exchange, Vol.1, No. 2

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Choosing a Primary Format

One of the strategies that can be used to increase "ease of access and simplicity of use" is to consider the format(s) that will be used to communicate your information. Unfortunately, the way in which information is formatted and "packaged" for sharing with others sometimes is done automatically. The "automatic pilot" format is regular print and the mode of distribution is through journals and professional papers. While this, no doubt, is an effective way to document and share relevant information with other professionals, it also seems apparent that this may not be the way in which one would expect to reach the range of audiences comprised of people with disabilities, their families, their advocates, and their service providers. Nothing here is intended to imply that journals, books, and papers do not effectively meet the needs of some audiences. However, these formats are not usually considered to be formats that guard the timeliness of information nor are these formats exceptionally available to many others, due either to cost or professional dues structures. NCDDR staff are currently undertaking a significant research effort to determine how frequently cited beneficiary target groups of disability research outcomes report:

their personal use of research findings,
the formats and modes by which they receive the information they do use, and
the way in which respondents would desire to receive information that provides "ease of access and simplicity of comprehension and use."

While the results of this research are not presently available, it seems probable that respondents will suggest an array of formats and modes that provide accessibility. Grantees need to consider a range of formats and modes for both the production and distribution of information. Effective communication patterns of the future are most likely to reflect a "mixed or merged media" approach to the sharing of information. In other words, "getting the message across" may involve video representation, verbal descriptions, audio associated sounds, manipulative information databases, in addition to the printed word! One can easily see the beginnings of this type of communication pattern emerging on electronic formats such as the Internet's World Wide Web. The selection of a primary format for your information should add to the communicative power of your message. Reluctance or indecision regarding what to do in the area of primary and alternate formats usually involves lack of information concerning:

Staff time that will be required to develop various formats;
Equipment, software, or other materials needed to support in-house production;
Costs of developing formats or contracting for services;
Complexity of effort required to make materials ready and usable; and
Resources available to help provide information and guidance in the production phase.

The following are some examples of formats that may be considered for communication by grantees. Information provided about each format addresses the decision/information points above. A relational low-high scale graph is provided for visualization. In addition, "helpful hints" related to individual formats are provided.

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