Region 7: Evaluation of the National ADA Symposium

The National ADA Symposium is an annual event sponsored by the ADA National Network that provides current information on ADA regulations, guidelines, and best practices through educational sessions. Results from previous surveys do not provide the in-depth feedback necessary for development and revision of training in order to provide more information that can be used to reduce the disparity experienced by persons with disabilities in work and community settings.  Therefore, additional research that includes participant feedback is necessary to design effective and evidence-based training initiatives to address these concerns. 

In order to address this question, a mixed method approach including the use of focus groups, surveys and interviews will be used to elicit feedback from various stakeholder groups in each of the four core theme areas of technology assistance, training, dissemination and capacity building .Results of surveys will be analyzed quantitatively using SPSS software, for frequencies, chi square and multivariate analysis as appropriate.  Results will be used to develop questions for the focus groups. Input from the focus groups will be transcribed and developed into themes for development or revision of training and education activities.  As these revisions are evaluated, information from ongoing focus groups will be transcribed and developed in a similar manner to provide ongoing program evaluation. All results from the analyses will be reported to the appropriate members of the Great Plains ADA Center for incorporation into education and training activities. Based on feedback from the analyses, training and educational activities will be developed and revised to meet the ongoing needs of the various stakeholder groups.  These activities will be re-evaluated on an annual (or more) basis to provide necessary feedback as to the success of the changes on increasing the knowledge and skills that stakeholders can use and incorporate in their work and community settings.