TSU HOSTS NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MINORITY DISABILITY RESEARCH
The Center for Minority Training and Capacity Building for Disabilities Research at Texas Southern University (TSU) recently hosted a national symposium, “Improving the Lives of Minorities with Disabilities by Breaking Down Barriers to Disability and Rehabilitation Research” in Washington, D. C., the culmination of a three-year, $1 million grant funded by the Department of Education National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
(PRWEB) September 14, 2002
HOUSTON, TX (August 24, 2002) – The Center for Minority Training and Capacity Building for Disabilities Research at Texas Southern University (TSU) recently hosted a national symposium, “Improving the Lives of Minorities with Disabilities by Breaking Down Barriers to Disability and Rehabilitation Research” in Washington, D. C., as the culmination of a three-year, $1 million grant funded by the Department of Education National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
According to Dr. Irvine Epps, projector director of the Center and dean of TSU’s College of Continuing Education, “There is insufficient data and insufficient ‘culturally competent’ data on this [minority] population to offer substantial guidance for policymaking or service development as it relates to disability and related secondary conditions.”
“Because scientific research shapes governmental policy, funding priorities, and program development, there needs to be more of a concerted effort on the part of all minority researchers to get involved,” she said.
Recent studies show that minorities with disabilities make up the largest percentage of disabled Americans, yet, are more at risk for disability and secondary health conditions, have fewer personal and family resources, have less knowledge and understanding of externally available resources, and are less well off socioeconomically then their white peers.
Accordingly, the symposium was designed to address these issues and provide minority researchers with an opportunity to present, discuss, and disseminate their latest research findings, such as innovations in research methodologies, best practices in grants management and grant writing, the role of technology in improving the lives of people with disabilities, instructional and individual capacity building initiatives, majority and minority institutional collaborations, and the impact of secondary conditions on disability and aging.
Participants were also encouraged to conduct roundtable discussions concerning the limited participation of minority researchers and institutions of higher learning in disability and rehabilitation research. The lack of financial incentives and a lack of grant opportunities on the part of minority researchers were some of the barriers addressed.
Attendees from virtually all areas of the nationÂ’s college and university systems, state and national institutions, agencies, commissions, associations, foundations, and businesses were in attendance.
Notable figures at the conference included: Dr. Bobby L. Wilson, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, TSU; Dr. Mitchell Rice, director of Race and Ethnic Studies Institute and Professor of Public Administration/Political Science, Texas A & M University; Dr. Robert Pasternack, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, NIDRR; Steven Tingus, director of NIDRR; Larry Burt, acting deputy, Minority Health; and keynote speaker Nathan Stinson, Jr., of RADM.
About Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University has been designated as "a special purpose institution of higher education for urban programming.” Ascribing to the global implications of its urban mission, the University focuses on high quality teaching, research and public service as a means of preparing students for leadership roles in the urban communities of our state, nation, and world. Texas Southern University offers a variety of academic programs to students of diverse backgrounds and various levels of scholastic achievement. These students matriculate in undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees in the arts and sciences, public affairs, education, business, health sciences, law, pharmacy and technology. Visit the Texas Southern University Web site at www. tsu. edu
About the Center
The Center for Minority Training and Capacity Building for Disability Research is located on the Campus of Texas Southern University in the College of Continuing Education in Houston, Texas. The Center's mission is to increase the capacity of minority researchers and institutions of higher education to participate in disability and rehabilitation research for the purpose of improving the lives of disabled minorities. The Center utilizes a multi-faceted approach to assess current barriers that limit the participation of minority researchers and higher education institutions in disability and rehabilitation research. For more information visit the Center online at www. tsu. edu/education/cmtcbdr (http://www. tsu. edu/education/cmtcbdr )
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