WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Education awarded a $595,000 grant to the University of Hawaii for the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Program. The purpose of the program is to increase access and improve the effectiveness of services to individuals with disabilities in post secondary education programs. The Center will plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities in an effort to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology, that maximizes the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities. The Center's research program is based on an inclusive conceptual framework and the use of both quantitative and qualitative research designs.

"This Program is central to providing persons with disabilities the needed tools, training and support to become contributing members of our island community, inspiring them to live active and productive lives," said Senator Inouye.

The Center will focus on the following goals: 1) examine and evaluate the current status of educational supports, including a) individual academic accommodations, b) adaptive equipment, c) case management and coordination, d) advocacy, and e) personal counseling and career advising; 2) identify effective support practices and models of delivery that contribute to successful access, performance and retention/completion of post secondary programs; 3) identify specific barriers to the provision of disability-related services, including policy and funding requirements; 4) assess effectiveness of promising educational practices and disability-related services that are important to career mobility and success in the workplace; 5) test the effectiveness of specific models of delivery that are believed to increase the accessibility of educational supports and innovative technologies; 6) identify the types of educational and transitional assistance that post secondary programs provide to improve educational and subsequent labor market success; 7) provide training, technical assistance, and information to support personnel, public and private rehabilitation personnel, career placement specialists, and students with disabilities based on the findings and implications of the proposed research program; and 8) implement a consumer-driven empowerment evaluation plan for assessment of the center's progress in achieving its goals.