Availability Versus Accessibility

The ultimate value of research lies in its use -- leading either to changes in current practices and services or to the confirmation of them. Grantees conducting research and research-related activities through NIDRR funding bear a special responsibility to both demonstrate and model how all audiences -- especially people with disabilities and their families -- can access the information being generated. However, in spite of almost 30 years of efforts to strengthen the way in which the outcomes of research are shared with those that need them, problems remain. Leung (1992) reports on a series of NIDRR regional forums conducted in 1991 that indicated "information dissemination is an issue of concern for consumers, family members, and professionals" (p. 287). And, in addition, testimony from the forums "suggests the continuing need to move research and information from those who generate it to the user and the service provider in a form that has direct and immediate application" (p. 295).

While research results are frequently documented and available in some form, they are often not widely accessible to several critical audiences -- such as people with disabilities, their families, advocates, or direct service providers (Edwards, 1991). There is a clear distinction between the availability of information -- which may mean, for example, that a scholarly article may be found in a professional journal -- and the accessibility of information -- which implies "ease of access and simplicity of use."

Patterns of dissemination and associated products reported by NIDRR grantees often emphasize the availability of information rather than the accessibility of information. The NCDDR staff have analyzed and categorized data reported by grantees and discovered several predominant trends.

In FY 1993, 130 grantees reported products of their NIDRR projects for inclusion in the Compendium of Products By NIDRR Grantees & Contractors (NARIC, 1994) reveals:

• 19 percent of all products were journal articles, and
• 22 percent were books or papers (including chapters in books, concept/working papers, conference presentations, monographs, etc.).

Comparing these data with those reported in the FY 1994 Compendium by 110 grantees (NARIC, 1995), the following patterns emerge:

• 31 percent of all products were journal articles -- an increase of approximately 50 percent from the previous year, making this the most frequently cited of all categories, and
• 21 percent of all products were books or papers -- a one percent decline.

Clearly, the trend in most frequently reported formats for informational products is toward journals, books, and papers. This pattern tends to suggest more of an emphasis on the availability of information versus the accessibility of information. This issue of The Research Exchange discusses information that may help in maintaining the availability of information while increasing accessibility.

A copy of the results of this comparison is available from the NCDDR upon request.

References

Edwards, L. (1991.) Using knowledge and technology to improve the quality of life of people who have disabilities: A prosumer approach. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Leung, P. (1992.) Translation of knowledge into practice. In Walcott & Associates, NIDRR National CRP Panel Final Report. Washington, D.C.: Walcott & Associates.

NARIC. (1994.) Compendium of products by NIDRR grantees & contractors (FY 1993). Spring, MD: National Rehabilitation Information Center.

NARIC. (1995.) Compendium of products by NIDRR grantees & contractors (FY 1994). Spring, MD: National Rehabilitation Information Center.

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