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CSUN 2008 Presentation on the CCN

Robert L. Todd, the Director of the CCN, recently presented information on the Network at the 2008 California State University at Northridge Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) on Saturday March 15, 2008.

Background and History

This presentation explored the creation and use of a network of consumers for research into the needs for workplace accommodations. Barriers that limit employment opportunities and work performance for people with disabilities continue to exist in the workplace. Research at Georgia Tech's Workplace Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (Work RERC) has made strides in understanding the types and frequency of workplace accommodations used by people with a variety of functional limitation.

Pie chart showing the gender split for the CCN as of March 2008; 55% Women and 45% Men
Figure 1- CCN Demographic presented at CSUN Conference 2008

However, more broad-based research on workplace accommodations is needed to understand the impact of accommodations and changes over time on employment outcome. Because people with disabilities are experts regarding their own experiences, their involvement in these research efforts is absolutely critical to gathering accurate information and better understanding the impact of accommodations. Moreover, the rapid pace of change in the workplace requires that workplace product development be driven by consumer need, rather than technological innovation for its own sake.

Current Efforts

The CATEA Consumer Network (CCN) has been developed to address these challenges and to expand to meet the needs of researchers.

Ongoing efforts to update the CCN are based on a three-part strategy that includes: 1) a new protocol for gathering socio-demographic and functional limitation data using standardized questions from the NHIS (National Health Interview Survey) and ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the World Health Organization) that allows comparison to national data; 2) ensuring confidentiality by de-identifying personal information and maintaining current contact information in a protected file, and 3) a web-based system to continuously engage network members, including a semi-annual email notice to confirm or update contact information, a quarterly newsletter pertaining specifically to consumer involvement in Center activities, and timely announcements between newsletters.

Pie chart showing the functional limitation split for the CCN as of March 2008; Vision 25%, Hearing 22%, Communication 15%, Mobility 65%, Dexterity 33%, Cognition 23%
Figure 2- CCN Functional Limitation Demographic presented at CSUN 2008

Contact

Summer Ienuso
CCN Coordinator
ccn@coa.gatech.edu