Research Project (Final Assignment) – 400 Points
The research project in this course will serve as your final and should include the following characteristics:
o 9-10 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font):
• This is just an estimated range of the length of the presentation for your research findings; be sure to present them clearly and logically, and be as specific as possible, especially the disability conditions, the goals and setting that the recommended AT is intended to address;
• Various presentation formats as specified in items 2, 3 and 5 below, can be used to substitute one page;
o In-depth research project on a particular disability category and type of AT: o
Choice of anyone listed below:
• Low vision,
• Blindness,
• Deaf-blind,
• Multiple disabilities,
• Deaf,
• Hard of hearing,
• Mobility disability such as spinal cord injury, neurological condition, degenerative mobility condition, Cerebral Palsy, fine motor issues, etc.
• Learning disability,
• Intellectual disability,
• Autism,
• Age-related disabilities,
• Other disability of student’s choice with instructor’s approval (by two weeks before the due date of this assignment).
o Project will include research on:
1. The nature of the chosen disability, functional limitations, and progression of the chosen disability, if applicable (70 points).
2. Interview with a person with this particular disability and/or their family member or care provider (80 points):
§ This can be demonstrated in a written format, with the permission of the parties to be interviewed.
§ Examples of topics to be covered in the interview: the person’s disability conditions, strengths and / or barriers identified, goals in relations to the setting picked in requirement 3 and/or the kind of Helpive Technology (“AT”) this person is using or has used previously, and/or whatever information that can help you determine the appropriate AT you would recommend, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is only intended to provide you some examples of discussion topics.
3. Systematic Assessment and recommendation of appropriate AT in a specific setting such as Home, School, Workplace, Community navigation, or Other (110 points) for the person you interviewed:
§ State the medical conditions, vocational or educational or independent living goals, job or other daily duties, tasks intended to achieve, technological background of this person, the
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environment or settings this person is in, and any assumptions, if necessary, especially when some facts might not be readily available.
§ Recommended AT to help this person to meet his or her goals has to include the web-links, manufacturer of any AT devices or software, costs of any AT devices or software, features of the AT devices or software, etc.
§ If you do not feel comfortable in writing it all out in a traditional research paper style, this can be substituted with a chart, table or picture of your own creation, etc. However, this kind of presentation has to be supported with descriptions that can help the readers understand the information clearly. It can be included in an appendix which has to be within the 8-12-page range.
4. Training outline and learning objectives for recommended AT (70 points):
§ Present how you would plan the training with learning objectives for the person you interviewed with to use the recommended AT to reach his or her goals in the specified setting.
5. Development of a resource-kit for current and future needs related to the chosen disability and AT need (70 points):
§ If you do not feel comfortable in writing it all out in a traditional research paper style, this can be substituted with a chart, table or picture of your own creation, etc. However, this kind of presentation has to be supported with descriptions that can help the readers understand the information clearly. It can be included in an appendix which has to be within the 8-12-page range.
§ Examples include a list of support contact information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, a set of step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, a list of weblinks for the organizations, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is only intended to provide you some examples of items to be included in the resource-kit.
6. Identify any relevant research trends to monitor related to a particular disability (50 points).
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400 points for a research project (final assignment).
This course’s research project will serve as your final and should have the following features:
o 9-10 pages (double-spaced with a 12-point font):
• This is just an estimated range of the length of the presentation for your research findings; be sure to present them clearly and logically, and be as specific as possible, especially the disability conditions, the goals and setting that the recommended AT is intended to address; • Various presentation formats as specified in items 2, 3 and 5 below, can be used to substitute one page;
o In-depth research project on a particular disability category and type of AT: o Choice of anyone listed below:
• Low vision, • Blindness, • Deaf-blind, • Multiple disabilities, • Deaf, • Hard of hearing, • Mobility disability
