Utah ADA Research and Training

Project Details

Project Context
The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC): Rocky Mountain ADA Center is one of 10 regional centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the U.S. Department of Education. Their mission is to provide information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals, businesses and organizations in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Their core services include: materials dissemination, technical assistance on the ADA , training, referrals to experts, and research.

Project Focus
The Utah ADA Research and Training project was established as a subcontract from the Rocky Mountain Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) to: (a) conduct research regarding the ADA, and (b) address the lack of knowledge in businesses and community organizations regarding the ADA.

CPD staff served on the DBTAC's ADA Research Committee comprised of research partners within the Rocky Mountain region. The goal of this committee was to determine the Region 8 DBTAC long term research agenda, conduct relevant research, monitor progress, and assist with research knowledge translation by identifying ways to apply DBTAC resources more effectively and efficiently throughout the region

Major long term outcomes of this project included increasing employment of people with disabilities and ensuring accessibility in both real-world environments and on the web.

Services/Products
Since 2001, the CPD has provided training to many community groups, businesses, and government agencies concerning ADA and accessibility issues. Nearly 500 individuals participated in a variety of training events.

Between 2006-2008, the Research Committee advised two research projects, one at the University of Montana and the other at the University of Northern Colorado. Both research projects were related to improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

In 2007, CPD staff produced three 30 second audio/video commercials designed to focus the viewer's attention on the abilities, rather than disabilities, of employees. These were featured over a 6 week period on the website of the top statewide easy listening radio station located in Salt Lake City. Viewership was estimated at nearly 30,000.

In 2008, CPD compiled and analyzed the contact summary data collected by the Rocky Mountain DBTAC over the past several years. This data was used to improve the efficiency of telephone assistance and improve the effectiveness of the DBTAC's information and referral services.