Disability

New Editions developed functional requirements and built the Disability Equality Index (www.disabilityequalityindex.org) survey tool system and website. The Disability Equality Index is a national, transparent benchmarking survey tool that offers Fortune 1000 businesses an opportunity to measure their disability-related policies and practices.

New Editions manages the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s (RSA) National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) - ncrtm.ed.gov - and technical assistance webinars. The NCRTM is RSA’s gateway to technical assistance and training, providing reliable, up-to-date training materials. It is a venue for information sharing, learning and professional growth for vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals, service providers, researchers, trainers, educators, individuals with disabilities and their support networks.

New Editions supported the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Office of Accessible Systems & Technology’s (OAST’s) Trusted Tester Certification program. The purpose of this program is to increase the capability and capacity of the DHS workforce and other federal agencies to support the Federal government’s mission to comply with Section 508.

New Editions provided logistics and management support to assist the Office on Disability (OD) in implementing the Call to Action Strategic Plan. We planned and conducted important events, including a conference with major healthcare provider organizations to identify best practices in disability awareness training for physicians and nurses, as well as a forum with employers to identify best practices in providing access to healthcare services for employees with disabilities.

Through a subcontract with Vets, Inc., New Editions provided technical support to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Section 508 Program Office. We tested proposed electronic and information technology (EIT) products for Section 508 conformance within VA's Enterprise Architecture Framework. We also tested IT Tracker products, OMB Exhibit 300's project/programs, E-Government (E-Gov) initiative programs, web-based and software applications, and learning management systems (LMS) courseware for Section 508 compliance.

The Center of Excellence on Disability Research (CEDR) conducts research to identify and evaluate effective services, supports and models of coordinated care and/or integrated care for persons with disabilities. CEDR is also organizing a national conference in March 2013 to share the results of these studies-along with those of other researchers-and discuss strategies for providing effective services and care models to all people with disabilities.

For the National Council on Disability (NCD), New Editions provided research and meeting planning support services for the National Disability Summit on Disability Policy 2010. This landmark event marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and brought together over 400 stakeholders from across the country to provide input for a new policy agenda. In preparation for this meeting, our team of researchers prepared ten working papers identifying significant policy accomplishments, emerging issues and challenges for each topic area.

New Editions operated AbleData, the premier resource for objective information on assistive technology (AT) products and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources, for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

Through coordination across multiple projects, New Editions worked collaboratively to provide expert technical assistance and guidance to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), their grantees and partners, and other Aging Services Network organizations at the state, sub-state and community levels. Under a subcontract with The Lewin Group, New Editions coordinated relevant ACL activities with the initiatives of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Money Follows the Person (MFP) Technical Assistance Center.

New Editions assisted in the development and operation of the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Disability Resource Center (DRC). DRC ensures that DOT employees, regardless of location, can fully participate in all aspects of the Department’s work, programs and services. Our team, located on site at DOT, developed the systems and procedures for operation, establishing three workstations to demonstrate adaptive equipment. We also provided job needs assessments for accommodations and recommended technology acquisitions for employees.