The Research & Development Tradition
- The research program of CPRF, pursues state and federal investments in breakthrough innovations that result in beneficial outcomes for people with disabilities. Particular focus is directed toward training, employment and successful independent living outcomes. In 1998, CPRF created a Research Advisory Council to ensure support of CPRF's mission by maximizing funding searches.
- The following is a research and development history, showcasing CPRF's rich tradition. Click on a topic below to learn more.
2002-2005 Disability Information Technology
2000-2005 Employment Research and Organizational Development
2000-2005 Benefits Planning, Outreach and Assistance
2000- 2005 The Information Technology Project with Industry
1999-2000 Project INCREASE (Increasing Natural Community Resources during Employment Assessment and Supported Education)
1998-2001 The Assistive Technology Solutions Knowledge Dissemination
1998-2001 Affirmative Enterprise Initiative for the Employment of People with Disabilities
1997-1998 Empowerment through Grantsmanship
1997-1998 Preparing Persons with Severe Disabilities for Competitive Manufacturing Employment
1993-1998 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-IV
1993-2000 The HUD Service Coordinator
1992-1993 Integrated Work Options
1989-1991 Cooperative Homecare
1989-1994 The Supported Employment Initiative in Kansas
1989-1993 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-III
1988-2000 The CPRF Rehabilitation Engineering Mobile Shop
1988-2000 The Gateway Vocational Options
1987-1988 Workabilities
1986-1987 Feasibility Study of a Community Based Rehabilitation Program for Adults with Head Injuries
1985-2000 Applied Engineering Center
1983-1993 The Transit Company
1983-1988 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-II
1980-1985 Project Aid
1978-1979 A Study on the Feasibility of Developing a Printing Facility to Employ the Handicapped
1977-1982 The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-I
1973-1976 Development of Comprehensive Competitive Employment Services for the Physically Handicapped
2002-2005 Disability Information Technology
The Disability Information Technology project in the CPRF School of Adaptive Computer Training is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.
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2000-2005 Employment Research and Organizational Development
The Employment Research and Organizational Development project is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education.
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2000-2005 Benefits Planning, Outreach and Assistance
The Benefits Planning, Outreach and Assistance program established the Kansas Benefits Counselors Network throughout the state.
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2000-2005 The Information Technology Project with Industry
The Information Technology Project with Industry trained more than 120 people with disabilities in one of four IT occupations in national and local demand, and will placed at least 100 in IT employment over the five-year project. CPRF is partnered with Houston-based Digital Consulting & Software Services, Inc., to provide training in the School of Adaptive Computer Training in Wichita and in DCSS training centers in Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and St. Louis. The Information Technology Project with Industry is a collaborative rehabilitation-and-business model supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration.
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1999-2000 Project INCREASE (Increasing Natural Community Resources during Employment Assessment and Supported Education)
Project INCREASE was a demonstration project funded by Kansas Rehabilitation Services. CPRF, together with three other disability organizations in Wichita, formed a coalition to provide situational assessments for consumers referred by Kansas Rehabilitation Services and to support other consumers in their postsecondary education. The project is continuing on a fee-for-service basis.
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1998-2001 The Assistive Technology Solutions Knowledge Dissemination
The Assistive Technology Solutions Knowledge Dissemination project is a Field-Initiated Research grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. CPRF provides rehabilitation engineering services to evaluate and provide working drawings for assistive technology devices through an AT Solutions website. Visitors to the site can download the drawings, request professional blueprints, or even request CPRF to build the devices. By providing the drawings, assistive technology devices can be crafted for individuals by local machine or wood shops, where the device would never find a market large enough to interest a commercial manufacturer/distributor.
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1998-2001 Affirmative Enterprise Initiative for the Employment of People with Disabilities
The Affirmative Enterprise Initiative for the Employment of People with Disabilities is a research and demonstration project focusing upon the selection, training, and employment potentials for people with severe and persistent mental illness in manufacturing settings such as Center Industries Corporation. The Forrest C. Lattner Foundation funds the project.
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1997-1998 Empowerment through Grantsmanship
Empowerment through Grantsmanship was a project funded by the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities to provide training throughout Kansas in grant proposal development to people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals from organizations serving people with disabilities.
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1997-1998 Preparing Persons with Severe Disabilities for Competitive Manufacturing Employment
The Preparing Persons with Severe Disabilities for Competitive Manufacturing Employment project demonstrated that people with severe disabilities, some of whom were dislocated workers, could be trained in such occupations as computer numerical controlled machining at Center Industries Corporation and then placed in competitive employment in the community. The U.S. Dept. of Labor Employment and Training Administration funded the project.
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1993-1998 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-IV
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-IV was awarded a fourth five-year renewal by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Components included:
- Development of employment-related behaviors in students with disabilities
- Development of materials to provide information and training in issues relative to the employment of people with disabilities
- A "user-friendly" PC system guide to full utilization of rehabilitation technology
- Participatory worksite accommodation: assessment, design and evaluation
- Multi-media workstation design for inspection and control tasks
- Applications of worksite modifications and accommodations utilizing assistive technology
1993-2000 The HUD Service Coordinator
The HUD Service Coordinator staffing was initiated for people with disabilities served by the CPRF Timbers Residential Program who had no other access to such services. Initial funding was by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, with subsequent years' funding included in the HUD Section 8 contract for operation of the Timbers.
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1992-1993 Integrated Work Options
Integrated Work Options, funded by the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, demonstrated a recruitment and training program for people with disabilities to work on the Boeing commercial aircraft window assembly contract newly awarded to Center Industries Corporation. Significant rehabilitation engineering capabilities were demonstrated to achieve a superior level of quality manufacturing and assembly production.
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1989-1991 Cooperative Homecare
Cooperative Homecare was a U.S. Social Security Administration grant to CPRF to utilize supported employment in continuing the personal assistance services training for employment of people with mental retardation begun in Project Aid. This project was subsequently replicated in Iowa and Missouri.
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1989-1994 The Supported Employment Initiative in Kansas
The Supported Employment Initiative in Kansas was a federal grant to CPRF through Kansas Rehabilitation Services. People with disabilities received training and were supported in manufacturing employment at Center Industries Corporation and other aviation industries in the Wichita area.
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1989-1993 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-III
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-III was awarded a third five-year renewal by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Components included:
- Economic disincentives to employment for people with disabilities
- The effect of lower body positive pressure on the physiological work capacity of people with spinal cord injuries
- Maximum acceptable drilling frequency to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Development of Integrated Input Systems and computer training programs to enhance employment opportunities for persons with severe disabilities
- Modification of a visual inspection workstation
- A study of intervention techniques to promote transition toward adult life skills
- Potential enhancement of employment opportunities in a manufacturing/machining industry through workstation automation
- Enhancement of employment opportunities in telecommunications through the development of a telecommunications evaluation/training workstation
- Predictive model for personal assistance requirements - special project
1988-2000 The CPRF Rehabilitation Engineering Mobile Shop
The CPRF Rehabilitation Engineering Mobile Shop provides assistive technology and accessibility modifications to homes and workplaces throughout Kansas, utilizing a 60-ft. trailer obtained through charitable grants from the Boeing Aircraft Company Employees Good Neighbor Fund (now known as the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Wichita). Initial demonstration funding was from a Kansas Rehabilitation Services grant, with subsequent annual grant renewals.
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1988-2000 The Gateway Vocational Options
The Gateway Vocational Options project was initiated in cooperation with Easter Seals/Goodwill Industries to provide community reintegration and supported employment services to adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries. Initial demonstration funding was from a Kansas Rehabilitation Services grant, with subsequent year funding on a fee-for-service basis.
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1987-1988 Workabilities
Workabilities was a demonstration project to provide vocational evaluation for adults with physical and neurological disabilities, funded by the Kansas Rehabilitation Services.
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1986-1987 Feasibility Study of a Community Based Rehabilitation Program for Adults with Head Injuries
Feasibility Study of a Community Based Rehabilitation Program for Adults with Head Injuries was funded by the Wesley Foundation. CPRF staff visited existing programs throughout the Midwest to design a model project in Wichita.
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1985-2000 Applied Engineering Center
Applied Engineering Center projects are funded by a Kansas state legislative allocation to Wichita State University to support the cooperative rehabilitation endeavors of WSU and CPRF. From 1985 to 1998, AEC funds complemented the research projects of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center. In 1999 and 2000, they supported development of the School of Adaptive Computer Training at CPRF. Beginning in 2001, AEC funds complemented curriculum development for the Information Technology Project with Industry.
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1983-1993 The Transit Company
The Transit Company was a transitional living training project funded by the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. Subsequent funding was from Kansas Rehabilitation Services and federal social services block grants through the City of Wichita.
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1983-1988 Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-II
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-II was awarded a second five-year renewal by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Components included:
- Analysis of functional abilities of neurologically impaired populations
- Definition and prediction of job-related performance characteristics for people with neurological impairments
- Investigation of the occupationally significant physical skills of pre-vocational disabled individuals (ages 12 to 20)
- Development of a mobile Available Motions Inventory
- Predetermined time standards for severely handicapped workers
- Investigation of the utilization of a robotic arm by people with disabilities in the workplace
- Available motions of head, mouth and hand users; applications to keyboard designs
- Investigation of the application of more specialized curriculum for the severely physically disabled
- Audio biofeedback: motion-position studies to improve vocational, training and independent living skills
- Investigation of the value of vocational rehabilitation engineering assistance to sheltered workshops
- Procedure for establishment and operation of a competitive Industry to employ people with physical disabilities
- A cooperative effort: CPRF and selected Projects With Industry programs
- Independent living skills: evaluation techniques and assistive device description
1980-1985 Project Aid
Project Aid was a demonstration project to train adults with mental retardation and other disabilities to provide personal assistance services for people with physical disabilities. The project was primarily funded by a CETA grant from the City of Wichita, with additional funding by Kansas Rehabilitation Services, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, and the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation. In 1982 the project was renamed Project Aid Resource Center and was funded for three years by the City of Wichita Job Training Partnership Act program. In 1985, the project became separately incorporated as the Independent Living Center of South Central Kansas, Inc., which receives continuing federal funding through Kansas Rehabilitation Services.
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1978-1979 A Study on the Feasibility of Developing a Printing Facility to Employ the Handicapped
A Study on the Feasibility of Developing a Printing Facility to Employ the Handicapped was a market feasibility study of a decal and specialty printing shop funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The shop was initiated and continues in operation at Center Industries Corporation.
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1977-1982 The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-I
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodations-I was a cooperative venture of CPRF and Wichita State University and was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education. Components included:
- Engineering support for Center Industries Corporation
- Inventory of employment support resources in Wichita
- Information clearinghouse on employment in manufacturing
- Data on placement in service industries
- Cost/Benefit economic model of Center Industries Corporation vs. other placements
- Curriculum development for rehabilitation engineering at Wichita State University
1973-1976 Development of Comprehensive Competitive Employment Services for the Physically Handicapped
Development of Comprehensive Competitive Employment Services for the Physically Handicapped, funded by Kansas Rehabilitation Services and Rehabilitation Services Administration, Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. These early projects, designed in cooperation with faculty from the Wichita State University College of Engineering, provided proof-of-concept studies for workplace accommodations for people with physical disabilities through development of the Available Motions Inventory.
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