Consumer-oriented activities

Clearly, the "players" that have the greatest stake in the Center's work are the disabled individuals who are to be benefited. To serve them well, the investigator should be in close touch with spokespersons for the disabled persons and should be in a position to gather information "first hand" from individuals with the disability that the rehabilitation finding, procedure, or product will aid.

Here are a few suggestions about the timing and the purpose of interactions with disabled persons that will facilitate transfer.

Planning

• Identify "common denominator" problems in a disability group.
• Establish the merits, faults, and deficiencies of aids that are now used.

Product design

• Identify special environmental circumstances that may impact on use.
• Consider "ability to pay (who) and maintain (how easy)."
• Consider "cosmetic appearance" requirements for general use.
• Consider reliability requirements in relation to anticipated use.

Prototype test

• Check on ease of learning, emphasizing minimum training.
• Check on whether product use occurs naturally at times other than during the directed or formal evaluation.
• Learn what users tell similarly disabled friends about the product.

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director