NCDDR World Wide Web Site

The NCDDR recognizes the World Wide Web (WWW) as a powerful medium that should be used routinely for information sharing and communication by NIDRR grantees, as well as NIDRR staff. The NCDDR has established a site on the WWW.

The NCDDR site serves as the hub of an integrated information system that will:

• make pertinent information readily available to help grantees increase their knowledge and implementation of dissemination and utilization strategies, particularly for consumers from minority backgrounds;
• serve as a mechanism for organizing and sharing materials developed by NIDRR-funded researchers;
• facilitate access to technical assistance materials developed by the NCDDR;
• promote interactive communication among NIDRR grantees with access to the WWW;
• utilize formats and modes of communication preferred by the recipients, such as electronic mail, fax, and U.S. mail.

The NCDDR recognizes that some NIDRR grantees do not currently have access to the Internet. Alternate formats of materials and resources found on the NCDDR site will be made available to NIDRR grantees. NCDDR staff will also provide assistance to grantees who want to increase their use of and presence on the Internet.

The NCDDR site is linked directly to the web site of the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL), which is the corporate entity that houses the NCDDR.

Multimedia Focus

Integrated multimedia (e.g. audio, video, graphics, and written text) will be used to demonstrate the range of communication tools that converge on the Internet. At this time, most graphic items are also presented with text descriptions for those who do not have graphics capabilities. Audio and video clips will be made available on the NCDDR web site, and audio versions of selected materials may be offered. Adaptive/assistive devices may be presented via 3-D imaging.

The NCDDR will encourage interactive communication through electronic mail and other means. A listserv (automatic electronic mailing list) will be established to provide timely information and allow for interaction among groups of NIDRR grantees, NIDRR staff, and NCDDR staff. In addition, NCDDR staff are investigating the feasibility of conducting chat sessions in which NIDRR grantees can interact between one other and with NCDDR staff in real time.

Items under Development

A number of items are in preparation and will soon be accessible from the NCDDR site, including:

• Links to other agencies and important disability and rehabilitation research sites;
• A listing with descriptions of disability-related listservs, instructions on their use, and an easy method for subscription;
• A searchable, descriptive database of NIDRR grantees; and
• An on-line survey designed to obtain feedback on the usefulness and presentation of information on the web site.

In addition to this newsletter and the Calendar of NIDRR Project Events, NCDDR will make other technical assistance resources available through the web site, including:

• Information guides: "How to improve dissemination and utilization" and "How to identify and involve target audiences";
• Reviews of the key literature: "Dissemination and utilization" and "The impact of culture and minority status on D & U activities";
• Findings from NCDDR's research efforts, including data from NIDRR grantees and other researchers, as well as a wide array of users of disability research; and
• A form for submission of specific technical assistance requests.

Message to Grantees

NIDRR grantees are especially encouraged to share and review information about your project's activities via the NCDDR site. It is your resource to shape and use in ways that are most beneficial to you. The NCDDR vision sees constant expansion and use of the site to communicate in innovative ways with those who utilize the findings from disability research. You may provide feedback and suggestions on the site via the Guestbook (no longer active), through electronic mail, or by calling toll free at 1-800-266-1832.

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NIDRR Project Number: H133A990008
Last Updated: Tuesday, 29 January 2008 at 04:12 PM,
Contents © 1996-2005

SEDL Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)
211 East Seventh St., Room 400 - Austin, Texas 78701-3253
Voice/Text Telephone: 800-266-1832 or 512-476-6861 - Fax: 512-476-2286