CoP on Outreach to Diverse Audiences
Many NIDRR grantees have expressed that they face significant challenges in understanding and addressing research outreach to cultural and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities. Specific challenges identified by NIDRR funded projects include (NCDDR survey, 2002):
- Difficulty engaging CLD populations in the dissemination planning process
- Difficulty involving CLD populations in planning
- Language differences that impede involvement in planning
- Problems in identifying CLD network system representatives
- Time constraints that prevent involvement
- Barriers to communicating the research issue
To address these issues, the NCDDR directed efforts in 2006 to working with interested grantees to initiate a Community of Practice (CoP) on topics related to diversity and research outreach. The purpose of the CoP is to help NIDRR grantees identify, examine, and discuss salient issues regarding the involvement of under-represented groups in research studies, the utilization of research outcomes, and strategies for effective outreach to diverse populations. Research outreach pertains to the dissemination of research results or findings using multiple methods such as education or service-oriented programs to encourage the utilization of research findings. Research outreach also pertains to the gathering of information from a population to help inform a discovery or the research process and activities designed to support recruitment and retention of research participants (National Council on Disability, 1993).
COP activities
CoP members conduct activities to build knowledge and awareness for improving outreach and competence. During 2007—2008, CoP members participated in Web casts and a teleconference.
- Web cast #4 featured Erich Longie, Ph.D. and AnnMaria De Mars, Ph.D. from Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc. The Web cast transcript, presentation slides, and materials are archived for public use: (http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/webcast9.html).
- Web cast #3 featured Margaret A. Struchen, Ph.D. and Angelle Sander, Ph.D. from the Rehabilitation and Training Center on Community Integration of Persons with TBI. The Web cast transcript, presentation slides, and materials are archived for public use: (http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/webcast8.html).
During 2006—2007, CoP members participated in Web casts and a teleconference.
- Web cast #2 featured Mario Hernandez, Ph.D. and colleagues from the RAICES/Promotoras Project at the University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute . The web cast transcript, presentation slides, and materials are archived for public use: (http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/webcast6.html).
- Web cast #1 featured Fabricio E. Balcazar, Ph.D and Yolanda Suárez-Balcazar, Ph.D from the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research (CBMDR) at the University of Illinois, Chicago. The Web cast transcript, presentation slides, and materials are archived for public use: (http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/webcast4.html).
In November 2006, the NCDDR coordinated a CoP teleconference. The CoP members established several themes of interest, including:
Cultural competence and rehabilitation research
- Cultural knowledge, awareness and skills
- Language and linguistic diversity
Research quality and evidence
- Reducing methodological and statistical bias
- Gaps in disability research on diverse populations
- Measurement, psychometrics, and test validation
Upcoming Events
The following Web casts are scheduled for 2008.
| Date and time | Topic | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
July 30, 2008 at 2:00 PM CDT |
James S. Krause, Ph.D., NIDRR funded project |
Participating NIDRR-funded projects
At present, 21 individuals from twelve NIDRR-funded projects have participated in CoP activities
How do I participate?
NIDRR-funded projects are invited to join the CoP. Participants can utilize CoP resources, submit an article to FOCUS: A Technical Brief, and suggest Web cast topics on diversity, disability, and rehabilitation research.
Contact us
For more information please contact Frank Martin (fmartin@sedl.org).
National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR)
SEDL
1-800-266-1832
