Building the Bridge: Understanding the Gap between the Outreach Preferences for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Their Providers

Need Partners for Inclusive Communities sought to improve the effectiveness of its outreach to the communities with whom it works—including persons with disabilities, their families, and providers. To have truly inclusive relationships, research must explain what each group prefers for outreach. That research, however, did not exist. Our project was created to determine the preferences of the communities and create strategies for effective outreach.

Goal To bridge the gap between outreach preferences of persons with developmental disabilities and providers to ensure inclusivity and communication between all parties.

ApproachLocal UCEDD Staff Questionnaire

• To determine current outreach practices

National UCEDD Questionnaire • To determine current outreach

practicesPhone interviews with 9 UCEDDs

• For in-depth information on outreach strategies

Focus Groups About Communication Preferences

• With persons with developmental disabilities and providers

Community Meetings • To discuss communication

preferences

Preferences of Providers for Obtaining InformationEmailWebsitesText MessagesSocial MediaPhone CallsFlyersEmail listsDiscussions with PeersPrinted Materials

Preferences of Providers for Giving Information

EmailEmail listsWebsitesSocial MediaText MessagesPrinted Materials

Preferences for Obtaining Information by Persons with Developmental DisabilitiesPhone CallsIn-person discussionsPrinted materialsFriends/Family relaying informationProviders relaying informationSometimes social mediaSometimes text messagesSupport groups relaying informationMeetings

Communication Types to Avoid for Persons with Developmental DisabilitiesRelying on social media (most did not have frequent access to computers)Using only electronic communications (most did not have frequent access to computers)Emails (most did not have frequent access to computers)Text Messages (some were unable to read)

Connecting fully to both sides

Presenter: Alexandra Rouse, MPS/JD Candidate 2014, Little Rock, AR, Clinton School of Public Service and William H. Bowen School of Law, TraineeSupervisor: David Deere, MSW, MTh, North Little Rock, AR, Partners for Inclusive Communities, UCEDD/LEND

UCEDD

To Population Served

To Providers

To Communi

ty

Recommendations

UCEDD to Population Served• Use the database of preferred communication

type• Have someone call the individuals

• Create a presence in social media• Make the website more accessible

• Include audio and videos for people with visual and/or hearing impairment

• Employ self-advocates to inform organizational-wide outreach practices

• Create handouts with comprehensive information

UCEDD to Providers• Keep providers well informed • Include providers in the preference database • Use technology for distance learning or remote

meetings• Provide printed materials so providers can

distribute them to patients

UCEDD to Community• Avoid mass mailings, although specific mail outs

to select groups of people may be useful • Utilize community calendars • Create and use email lists• Expand partnerships within the community• Create an organization-wide communication plan • Do public presentations• Post flyers at offices and community groups• Send flyers electronically to groups

Outreach Director Recommendation Responsible for making sure effective strategies are employed, updating the website, posting through social media, and other communication-related tasks. Initiation of individual approach for providers and persons with developmental disabilities which would allow individuals to sign up for their preference between calls, emails, or text messages. Create an outreach evaluation for all projects (involving feedback and information on those taking part in programs)

• Keep consistent records using the evaluation to know: where the attendees are coming from in the state, and how they knew about the training or workshop

• Use it to target organizations in the underrepresented areas

Recognizing the gap

Being unaware of the other side