Below is the introduction printed in the hard copy version of the directory. See the order form for information on purchasing the Directory.

Introduction

The mission of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) is to generate, disseminate and promote knowledge that will improve the lives of persons with disabilities in their communities. NIDRR conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to assist in the achievement of the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of people with disabilities. This edition of the NIDRR Program Directory lists all projects funded by NIDRR during the 2005 fiscal year.

The contextual paradigm of disability and rehabilitation research, as described in NIDRR’s Long Range Plan, 1999-2003, continues to frame the NIDRR research agenda. This paradigm overcomes the limitations imposed by a medical model of disability. The new paradigm of disability maintains that “disability is a product of the interaction between characteristics of the individual (e.g., conditions or impairments, functional status, or personal and social qualities) and the characteristics of the natural, built, cultural, and social environments.” (NIDRR Long-Range Plan 1999-2003.)

NIDRR’s Research Program

Under the proposed Long Range Plan for 2005, NIDRR-funded research activities fall within three contextual domains: Research and Development, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Translation. Within these arenas, NIDRR’s research is conducted via a network of individual research projects and centers of excellence throughout the country. Most NIDRR grantees are universities or providers of rehabilitation or related services. NIDRR’s largest funding programs are the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs), the Model Systems, and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs). NIDRR also makes awards for information dissemination and utilization centers and projects, field initiated projects, research and development projects, advanced research training projects, Mary E. Switzer fellowships and NIDRR scholars, small business innovation research, and model systems of care. NIDRR also administers the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers.

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) program allows for projects with special emphasis on research, demonstrations, training, dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance. Projects may include combinations of these activities. True to the mission of NIDRR, these projects may develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology to assist in achieving the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most significant disabilities, or to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act.

Model Systems

NIDRR administers programs that have become world-renowned model systems of care for persons with spinal cord injuries, burns, and traumatic brain injuries. The Model Systems establish innovative projects for the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive medical, vocational, and other rehabilitation services. The work of the Model Systems begins at the point of injury and ends with successful re-entry into full community life. These projects collect and contribute data on patient characteristics, diagnoses, causes of injury, interventions, outcomes, and costs to a uniform national database; participate in collaborative research with other Model System centers; and coordinate research efforts with other related grant recipients.

Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Projects

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program (formerly known as the Research Training Grants Program) expands the capacity of the field of rehabilitation research by providing advanced training opportunities. These projects provide rehabilitation research training for persons with clinical or other experience, who may be lacking certain formal research training. Grants are made to institutions to recruit qualified persons with doctoral or similar advanced degrees with clinical, management, or basic science research experience, and prepare them to conduct independent research on problems related to disability and rehabilitation. This research training may integrate disciplines, teach research methodology in the environmental or new paradigm context, and promote the capacity for Disability Studies and rehabilitation science. These training programs must operate in interdisciplinary environments and provide training in rigorous scientific methods.

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

NIDRR’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of research targeted toward the production of new knowledge, which may improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, or promote maximum social and economic independence for persons with disabilities. Operated in collaboration with institutions of higher education or providers of rehabilitation or other appropriate services, RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence in rehabilitation research. Also, they are national or regional resources for research information for individuals with disabilities and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals. These centers also conduct related training programs, including graduate, pre-service and in-service training. The centers also disseminate and promote the utilization of research findings.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) conduct programs of advanced research of an engineering or technical nature designed to apply advanced technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and social knowledge to solve rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers. Each center is affiliated with one or more institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations. The RERCs’ work in a rehabilitation setting provides an environment for cooperative research and the transfer of rehabilitation technologies into rehabilitation practice. Involved at both the individual and systems levels, RERCs seek to find and evaluate the newest technologies, products, and methods that ultimately can benefit the independence of persons with disabilities and the universal design of environments for all people of all ages. The centers also exchange technical and engineering information worldwide and improve the distribution of technological devices and equipment to individuals who need them.

Fellowships

Fellowships, named for the late Mary E. Switzer, give individual researchers the opportunity to develop new ideas and gain research experience. There are two levels of fellowships: Distinguished Fellowships and Merit Fellowships. Distinguished Fellowships go to individuals of doctorate or comparable academic status, who have had seven or more years of experience relevant to rehabilitation research. Merit Fellowships are given to persons with rehabilitation research experience, but who do not meet the qualifications for Distinguished, usually because they are in earlier stages of their careers. Fellows work for one year on an independent research project of their design.

NIDRR Scholars

The Scholars program attempts to build research capacity by recruiting undergraduates with disabilities to work in NIDRR-funded Centers and projects and introduces them to disability and rehabilitation research issues. Scholars gain work experience and participating centers receive a small stipend. This program is an innovative approach aimed at generating interest in research careers for persons with disabilities.

ADA Technical Assistance Projects

NIDRR administers a network of grantees to provide information, training, and technical assistance to businesses and agencies with responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) are funded to provide information and referral, technical assistance, public awareness, and training on all aspects of the ADA. Several National Training Projects target particular groups, organizations, or subject areas for ADA training and the ADA Technical Assistance coordinator contract assists all of the grantees with their activities.

Small Business Innovation Research

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants help support the production of new assistive and rehabilitation technology. This two-phase program takes a product from development to market readiness.

NIDRR Contracts

Through its contracts, NIDRR seeks improved methods, systems, products, and practices to add to its work. The contracts are for specific activities related to management, research, and information dissemination.

NARIC and the NIDRR Program Directory

The Program Directory is compiled by the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC). NARIC functions as NIDRR’s library, providing the rehabilitation community with information and referral services to help locate pertinent research related to specific areas of expertise. Since 1977, NARIC has been the primary source of rehabilitation and disability information generated by NIDRR funds, with special priority services to NIDRR staff and NIDRR-funded project staff.

NARIC also produces REHABDATA, an index of disability and rehabilitation literature produced by NIDRR grantees as well as commercial publishers. Copies of NIDRR-supported research products are received by NARIC and added to the reference collection and REHABDATA database. Information about holdings are available online at www.naric.com.

Neither NARIC nor NIDRR assumes liability for the Directory’s contents or the use thereof. NARIC does not evaluate or certify the programs or products of the organizations listed in the Directory.

This Directory is not intended for use as a fiscal document to show how NIDRR funds are allocated; its purpose is to display the range of programs that NIDRR supports. This listing is current as of November 9, 2005. This directory may incude projects that have passed the indicated extension date.

NARIC operates under U.S. Department of Education contract ED-05-CO-0007.

Search the Program Directory.