Internet technologies provide powerful new tools to promote health and wellness. Living well with a disability is a relatively new concept, reflecting the newly emerging conceptualization of disability. Persons with disabilities require knowledge and opportunities to practice wellness-enhancing behaviors, have access to providers who are knowledgeable and supportive of wellness practices, participate in environments that accommodate to diverse ability levels, and benefit from policies and resources that promote health and support diversity. This session describes a new Rehabilitation Research and Training Consortium Center that relies on these new technologies to promote wellness in persons with diverse disabilities. With partners in geographically dispersed sites across the USA, internet technologies allow for the creation and development of this innovative virtual center through rapid and varied real-time communication pathways. Internet technologies enhance the conduct of research through coordinated and broad-based recruitment of participants, shared on-line datasets, and as an intervention method in its own right. Multiple technologies for training and dissemination are used to customize information for specific audiences. Training and dissemination through the internet of reliable, research-based information increases the speed and range of delivery beyond the confines of print and broadcast media.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the use of internet technologies to create a virtual research and training center across geographically dispersed sites. 2. Identify the multiple roles of internet technologies to conduct research with persons with disabilities. 3. Apply internet technologies in training and disseminating information to promote wellness for persons with disabilities
Keywords: Disability, Wellness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.