Principal Trainer: Priscilla Sanderson, M.S., CRC
Co-Trainer:  John Sargent, M.Ed., M.B.A.; Julie Clay, MPH; CANAR Executive Committee

Abstract

The purpose of this training project is to provide a forum in which the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) and the AIRRTC will plan, develop, and focus on: (1) employment outcomes; (2) model employment programs for urban and reservation Indians; (3) rehabilitation programs that support American Indian VR projects; and (4) AIRRTC research results will be disseminated in Year 4 of the grant. An annual conference will be conducted that will allow representatives from diverse groups to exchange ideas, identify problems, formulate strategies to overcome barriers, and to develop and implement change at all levels of employment for Native consumers.

Purpose

Since the majority of reservations are located in remote areas, state VR staff may find it difficult to provide adequate services to American Indians with disabilities. Depending upon the reservation, 6% to 80% of American Indian residents are unemployed (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1995). The intent of this project will be to provide key people from diverse representation with the tools to implement effective employment strategies. As a result of this ongoing effort, more American Indians/Alaska Natives with disabilities will become successfully employed.

Objectives

1.0: To establish a conference advisory committee (CAC) to determine the appropriate workshops for the conference. The CAC will include consumers, representatives from CANAR and the AIRRTC staff, the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, tribal governments, and major employers of American Indians/Alaska Natives.

2.0: Plan and prepare for the conference.

3.0: Conduct the conference.

4.0: Conduct follow-up activities.

Progress to Date

Objective 1.0 and 2.0: Completed. Five staff members from AIRRTC continued in their role as conference advisory committee (CAC) members from June 1, 2001 until the dates of the conference, April 25-26, 2002.

Beginning in October 2001, individuals working for tribal VR programs, capacity building projects, tribal and minority-student colleges, and tribal organizations joined the planning committee. The CAC members met on a regular basis up to the conference date. The CAC provided ideas on the choice of presenters and keynote speakers, conference schedule arrangements, marketing strategies, and conference expenditures.

Objective 3.0: The Wisdom of the Storyteller a state-of-the-science conference to build research capacity in Indian country, was held on April 25-26, 2002 in Washington, DC at the Holiday Inn Capitol. The Wisdom of the Storyteller conference represents the one national conference that the American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center was responsible to host as part of this training project. The conference met NIDRR's general rehabilitation research and training center requirements: (a) applied research experience; (b) training on research methodology; and (3) training to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and other appropriate parties in accessible formats on knowledge gained from the Center's research activities. *Available now to view in Adobe PDFand Microsoft Word*.

Over 150 people were involved with the conference on site, either as participants, keynote speakers, presenters, facilitators, consumers, conference planners, and students. Twelve college students, ten of American Indian heritage, attended the conference on AIRRTC scholarships. Five interns with the Capacity Building for American Indians Project were given scholarships to attend the conference. Three consumers were sponsored to attend the conference. Three individuals with disabilities, from various cultural backgrounds, were directly involved with the conference.

Four college students presented research papers at a conference session titled, Vocational Rehabilitation for Indigenous Populations: A Time for Student Dialogue. This general session on the first day of the conference was well received with audience participation.

Note: This project has been endorsed by theConsortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR).