Study Grants and Other Information Needs

To accomplish the tasks necessary to develop the conceptual framework of this Study, at least six grants, a number of subprefeets which will involve grants or consultant participation, and other ancillary activities will be needed to amass the needed information, and will be initiated.

1.

2.

3.

ها

A planning, coordination, technical assistance, and supportive
activities grant will be developed and made as soon as possible.
This grant will be made to an organization fully capable of
developing the conceptual framework into operational elements;
providing for a classification system and management of State-
of-the-Art (literature) materials; the coordination and develop-
ment of a final report; the development and supervision of sub-
project activities; and the provision of technical assistance
throughout the conducting of the Study as needed.

A grant which will examine existing data resources of a demo-
graphic and epidemiological nature which will describe:

A. the number and characteristics of IMSH

B.

C.

the severity of disability and IMSH experience
with vocational rehabilitation agencies

a survey consisting of interviews of statistical
sample of IMSH who:

1) are currently in SSA/DDU processes

2) are in Status 08, 28, or 30 closures by
reason of severity of disability

A grant conducted with 10 comprehensive rehabilitation R&T
Centers which would include a retrospective study and analysis
of medical case records of IMSH and a follow-up of a random
sample of perhaps 50 IMSH cases in each Center. Since this
grant will identify specific characteristics and information
concerning only certain of the physically handicapped IMSH,
other Study activities will be mounted for certain special
disability groups such as

E.

F.

mentally ill

alcoholics

Study in these two areas will not be emphasized drug addicts but will be included by reference in the Study report

G. others

A grant to study the characteristics, scope, and other related
information of rehabilitation service providers, including State
agencies, public and private comprehensive rehabilitation centers,
etc. (The Goodwill Industries model for such a study has been

suggested for a starting point.) This grant would also study
and consider existing studies, research projects, demonstrations,
etc., in a proactive manner. The grant would include a survey
schedule and on-site visitation if necessary. The grant could
also include a survey of insurance industry data on those
companies' participation in rehabilitation efforts for IMSH.

5. A grant to survey and investigate the possibility of coordinating the various programs within DHEW which do or might contribute to the rehabilitation of IMSH. This should include both the qualitative and quanitative aspects of such programs including those in SSA, H, OHD, etc. This should also consider the impact which projected Departmental programs such as Allied Services, Comprehensive Health Insurance, etc., might have on services for IMSH. 6. A grant which will gather and analyze existing data on both short and long range costs for providing the services necessary to accomplish the rehabilitation goals of IMSH. It is hoped that these projections will give an indication of what kind of budget allocation would be necessary to fund services deemed feasible under this Study. The grant will also seek to make some estimates of possible benefits deriving from services to IMSH.

In addition to the information-gathering process of grantee activities, the following activities will provide for other information needed, either to contribute to or supplement grantee activities or information which will be used together with other information as a coordinated part of the final report.

1. Development of a classification system treating the body of literature concerning the rehabilitation of the severely handicapped. This includes R&D, R&T, International Activities and demonstration project reports; dissertations and journal articles; IRS and IRI studies; RRRI materials and any other printed matter related to the topic of this Study. (These are to be coordinated for use by grantees individually or jointly and for purposes of coordinating information for the final report.)

2. Cross-referencing of other current relevant studies including a study of developmentally disabled adults, workshop study, study of handicapped children, cancer research studies, studies on rehabilitation of the aged, blind study, national census of the deaf, etc.

3.

Development of studies and surveys of special disability
groups for coordination into the final report:

4.

5.

6.

Preparation of study materials on problems of employment,
job placement, job development, and other factors related
to acquisition and retention of employment.

Development of study materials concerning environmental
barriers for IMSH. This must include materials related
to a study to be conducted by the Architectural Barriers
Compliance Board; transportation barriers; housing
barriers. Of particular concern are ethno-cultural
barriers which must be studied through special activities
in connection with various minority representations.

Constituent organizations and special disability groups will be involved in the Study on a selective basis to perform primarily in a responsive and reactive role.

7. The development of protocols for demonstration projects
which would provide an experience base to test the
feasibility of methods which would provide solutions

to problems of vocational and non-vocational rehabili-
tation of IMSH.

Examples of Possible Demonstrations

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of various service delivery approaches, demonstration projects will be developed and considered for implementation. (R&D project efforts following the survey may be one means by which such demonstrations could be successfully mounted.) For example, the following project ideas would examine the effects of evaluation interventions and certain kinds of service provision. Other models will be developed during the course of the Study.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

With respect to State vocational rehabilitation eligibility determination and service provision, the prevention of rehabilitation counselors from rejecting clients without faceto-face evaluations in a rehabilitation facility, whether for regular eligibility or extended evaluation.

Comprehensive face-to-face evaluations in another rehabilitation facility as a "check" on clients terminating extended evaluation.

The provision of additional funds (extensions, expansions) to comprehensive facilities for the admission of increased case loads to determine the effects upon eligibility.

The provision of additional funds to single purpose agencies, e.g., Goodwill Industries, for comprehensive face-to-face evaluations in a rehabilitation facility before clients are admitted to determine maximum potential of the severely handicapped.

Utilizing these measures, data could be retrieved from the following