Connecting Science, Policy and People...

Who We Are

Inclusion Research Institute (IRI) develops, researches, and disseminates educational, therapeutic, and technological innovations that enable persons of all ages, including individuals with disabilities or other special needs to be independent, productive and be included in schools, communities, and places of employment.  IRI engages in activities that include, but are not limited to:                               

Educating family members, consumers, and professionals on innovative approaches in the health and welfare of children and other family members. 

Activities in this area include:

Operating the Disabilities Preparedness Center, that is focused on helping ensure that all individuals are included in the development and implementation of plans for protection from both natural and man-made emergencies.  In almost all emergency planning – whether for evacuation or sheltering during natural disasters, attacks of terrorism, or industrial or highway accidents – the communication, transportation and medical needs of persons with disabilities or other special populations have not been taken into consideration.

The Center provides resources to assist local emergency planning organizations in developing plans that include provisions for people who need specialized communication, transportation, and medical supports.  In many cases, it is communication with persons with disabilities that is most important to successful emergency planning and response – from initial warnings and specific directions on how to shelter or evacuate, to what personal items (like medicines and life supports) evacuees should take with them. Responders also need to know how to communicate effectively with individuals who are deaf, have limited intellectual capacity or are easily upset, fearful or disturbed by emergency situations.

The Center cooperates with federal, State and local agencies that are responsible for emergency planning and management, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Transportation, and others.  The Center’s services are also available to private businesses, corporations and other organizations.

A wide variety of resources are available from the Center, including print and multi-media materials, bibliographical references, training materials and packages for training professionals on-site or through distance education.  Customized technical assistance is available for organizations that are evaluating and/or revising their emergency planning or procedures.  

• ·         Designing and developing Self-directed Support Corporations;

• ·         Managing The FREEDOM Project, a project devoted to developing micro-enterprises for individuals          
  with disabilities (DCDDC/ DHS, Government of the District of Columbia)

• ·         Technical assistance for Cross-Disabilities Coalition, a self-advocacy project for people with disabilities
  (DCDDC/ DHS, Government of the District of Columbia)

• ·         Managing the Youth Empowerment Resource Center for youth with developmental disabilities.                       
  (Administration on Development Disabilities, US Department of health and Human Services)

• ·         Conducting workshops and seminars;

• ·         Producing public information materials;

• ·         Making presentations at professional meetings and conferences; and

• ·         Consulting with service agencies and organizations.

 
Educating professionals, consumers, and family members on innovative approaches that enable persons with disabilities or other disadvantages to be fully included in all aspects of their communities.

Activities in this area include:

• ·         Conducting workshops and seminars;

• ·         Making presentations at professional meetings and conferences; and

• ·         Consulting with service agencies and organizations on innovative approaches that enable persons with
  disabilities or other disadvantages to be fully included in all aspects of their communities.

 Conducting research and testing methods, techniques, treatments, and technologies that foster and assist the independence, productivity and inclusion of persons with disabilities or other disadvantages in schools, communities, and places of employment. 

 Activities in this area include: 

• ·         Developing and testing new assistive devices and technologies that enable persons with disabilities to
  increase their accessibility to the environment around them and live, learn and work independently;

• ·        Researching innovative approaches and techniques that increase access to the regular education curriculum for students with disabilities;

• ·       Testing new and innovative methods and techniques to create job accommodations and increase competitive employment opportunities and  for persons with disabilities; and

• ·       Developing and testing new and innovative strategies and approaches that  empower families to provide care and support services for individuals with severe disabilities.

 Disseminating information on the results of research and development on innovative technologies and strategies.

 Activities in this area include: 

• ·       Publishing and distributing reports, manuals, books, guides; and other products that highlight new and innovative methods, techniques, treatments, and technologies; and

• ·       Posting reports of the results of IRI research and development activities on the IRI Web-site;

• ·       Publishing and disseminating brochures, pamphlets, newsletters and other materials

IRI fund development activities are conducted through solicited and unsolicited grant and contract proposals, fee for services, donations, contributions and interest income.  IRI does not conduct other fundraising events and activities or solicit individuals for financial support.

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