On today's episode, we continue our chat with Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, but this time we focus on her role as Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and the institute's vision moving forward.
Host: Dr. Mary Goldberg, Co-Director of the IMPACT Center at the University of Pittsburgh
Guest: Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, Director of the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), an elite wheelchair racer, a Paralympic ambassador, public speaker, disability advocate, and former assistant professor at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt | LinkedIn, ACL.gov News, Website
IMPACT Center | Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
Transcript | PDF
Info on pursuing NIDILRR funding
- View NIDILRR funding opportunities at Grants.gov
- View NIDILRR Funding Opportunities on ACL.gov Tip: When the page is displayed in your browser, choose the "NIDILRR" category from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
Speakers: Dr. Mary Goldberg and Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt
Mary Goldberg 0:04
The IMPACT Center at the University of Pittsburgh supported by the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, proudly presents ImpacTech. Today's episode is Staying Novel with NIDILRR, with our returning guest, Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt. Recorded remotely from my soundproof bedroom closet in Pittsburgh, PA. This is your host, Dr. Mary Goldberg, and welcome to our 20th episode of the ImpacTech podcast series.
Welcome back Anjali, we're excited to have you on this episode of ImpacTech.
Anjali Forber-Pratt 0:55
Thank you so much.
Mary Goldberg 0:57
So you've touched on your personal journey and journey into advocacy. In particular, we'd like to take a minute now to talk about NIDILRR, specifically, your role and the institute's vision moving forward, of course, most focused on technology transfer and translation. But as we know, each of the different focus areas overlap. So we're excited to hear about it overall. And for our listeners that are not aware, what is NIDILRR?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 1:26
So NIDILRR is the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. And we are housed within the Administration for Community Living as part of the Department of Health and Human Services and the federal government. So NIDILRR exists to fund extramural research related to disability and rehabilitation. And at a at our core, we really believe that individuals with disabilities should be able to live where they choose with the people that they choose and to participate fully in society. And that we need research to show the the long term impacts and outcomes related to that.
Mary Goldberg 2:07
And so how does NIDILRR differ from other organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation that might have just a little bit more name recognition in the US and even perhaps among some of our research communities?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 2:26
Yeah, so you know, I think that NIDILRR is unique, and in a few ways, so first of all, the fact that we're housed within within the Administration for Community Living, it makes us unique, because our counterparts within ACL, they're providing the programs and services that are specific to people with disabilities. And then we are housed under the same agency, in terms of funding the research to that goes to support those programs and services and the and the impacts of those programs and services. And so when when I see that in comparison to some of our other federal counterparts, you know, the the NIH, for example, NSF, for example, those are huge, huge Institute's, I mean, NIH has, I think it's something like 17 separate Institute's, if I remember correctly, and each one has a very, very unique focus, sometimes a population focus, sometimes a topical focus, such as mental health, whereas we exist for all people with disabilities across the lifespan. And so it makes our charge a little bit complicated in the essence, that we have such a broad mission in terms of the research needs that affect the entire 67 million Americans with disabilities across that lifespan, and all of the different disabilities and conditions and chronic conditions that fall under that. But at the same time, I think the unique impact is is both the interplay within the agency of the programs and services, and also our focus on the long term outcomes and the ways in which people with disabilities are, you know, fully integrated within within society. And so, some of our other federal counterparts have a little bit more of a focus on prevention and cure or, or really trying to or from the basic sciences side of the specific symptoms or conditions. Whereas we are saying, hey, you know, disability is a part of the experience, and we want to use that as the starting point and then say, Okay, what interventions may may be most effective? What does this look like over the long term? How can we? How can we help to improve the lives and experiences of people with disabilities across Community Living employment and health and function?
Mary Goldberg 4:45
Yeah, the intersection across the impairments and looking at both function and community participation all together, really helped to fuel the development of diverse teams across disciplines and bring In that interprofessional aspect, in a way that's very unique course, we're certainly very thankful for the work that NIDILRR does and the way that it guides the work of the sector. Could you describe a little bit about your vision as NIDILRR's director?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 5:17
Absolutely. You know, I think that first and foremost, you know, my I have a commitment to help to ensure that NIDILRR remains a strong leader for disability research. I mean, that's, that's, you know, at the core of our mission and within our statute. And so first and foremost, I want to make sure that that NIDILRR remains that strong leader and as well as increasing the visibility of nightly I mean, there's so many individuals who are not yet within our NIDILRR portfolio who may not even know that NIDILRR exists. And so part of that is helping to educate others in terms of who NIDILRR is, and the fact that we are a federal funding source for Disability and Rehabilitation Research. More specifically, during my time, as Director, I have very specific goals to increase the representation of disabled researchers within our existing mechanisms, as well as disabled researchers of color and those from other underrepresented backgrounds. And this is really a commitment to the capacity building element of our mission. So we, we really believe wholeheartedly that in addition to doing the research we have, we have a commitment to capacity building, as well as to knowledge translation, and also technical assistance. And I think that all of those elements really have to come together in terms of our areas of focus. And, and for me, it's that deepening that that field and trajectory is so important, because otherwise we won't have a future generation of researchers asking these types of questions, you know, related to assistive technology or technology transfer, like we need those champions, and we need to take advantage of the really key prominent leaders that we do have currently, and have them train the next generation up so that this, this legacy can can really continue. And I think that it that's just to me, it is such an integral part of my vision as director is to make sure that we are thinking proactively about that sustainability so that the our field can continue to meet the demands and the needs of the disability community and to continue to advance research and to have it, you know, rise to that occasion.
Mary Goldberg 7:36
You've touched on the NIDILRR priorities and goals, and certainly in broad strokes and have mentioned technology transfer. Can you talk a bit about your specific and NIDILRR's goals related to technology transfer? And perhaps how that overlaps into the other funding mechanisms as well. So there are obviously grants and funding mechanisms that are specific to technology transfer, or more technology and innovation focused, but what would be the goal related to technology transfer priorities, both specific to those that are unique to technology transfer and across the other funding mechanisms?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 8:18
Yeah, certainly. Well, I think that even just the the way that the question is asked is one of our goals. So which is making sure that the technology transfer activities are that the elements of technology transfer, that our other grantees and our other mechanisms are aware of that even as a thing, and that there can be there can be a more seamless integration of the two and communication between these these grantees across these different sectors within our portfolio. And I think that we're starting to do better at that. And I think that the IMPACT Center is a great example of ways in which your you all are squarely situated of seeing our grantees within the small business and an innovation portfolio as well as other aspects of our portfolio within our field initiated programs, for example, and really being able to help us to take that bird's eye view of seeing the potential that we may not even necessarily be seeing. The other element that I think is is just fundamentally important is to continue to share that information, you know, about the range of assistive technology research and the the How to in terms of that how to engage in technology transfer activities, not every investigator or every institution where an investigator may be housed, has that knowledge and expertise. It's a very, it's a very unique skill set and so forth. And you then you add the unique layer of the assistive technology piece and that disability piece, that it's it makes it a really unique aspect. And so I think that anything that we can do to help to help to continue to encourage some of that cross communication and so forth is particularly in important to me, I know that as director, we are so grateful for the impact center really for embodying all of night. There's core elements research, training, and technical support, and of course, supporting knowledge transfer in all of these different ways and, and developing tools and approaches to really help help the field to understand what those barriers and facilitators are related to successful technology transfer and increasing that capacity of researchers and entrepreneurs to be successful at that task. And that, and I think that, for me, it's both of those elements that are that are particularly relevant. The other piece that I think is something that's exciting to me in terms of new directions and goals related to tech transfer, is, first of all, I am a researcher, and I love data. So us being able to jointly look at the data of who is within the current portfolio utilizing the IMPACT Center and the types of projects that the impact center is hoping to support and that neither is hoping to support and those who are not or that we are not yet, to me the not yet those are the opportunities. So, for example, I know that we in particular do a quite a lot related to product development and tech transfer in the areas of mobility and manipulation and Hearing and Communication and vision, but less so in the areas of tech transfers to support recreation, or that intersection of disability and aging. I also noticed that it's it's interesting that technology specific to enhancing activities of daily living, are not well represented. But I also suspect that maybe we aren't following the impact of that product development far enough once it hits that market and is adopted. So to me, there's an opportunity there of if the impact center is helping is helping you know, a product go through go through that process of tech transfer and getting out to the market. How can we then encourage an investigator to apply for additional nightwear funding to then look at that longer term impact of that product on activities of daily living or on the impacts of community living, and, and so forth? So my guess is that it's happening, but we're just not seeing it represented. And so it's about to me, it's like threading that needle of, again, of sort of connecting these other elements of NIDILRR'S funding mechanisms across the portfolio.
Mary Goldberg 12:29
Can you think of an example collaboration across the NIDILRR portfolio where this cross communication and approach has been done particularly well, and what we might learn from them? I'm thinking of an example maybe where a novel use of technology or included as a part of their aims from, say, kind of a non tech group has helped a project reach new heights or populations or demonstrated that impact very well, like you were just talking about?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 12:58
Yeah, goodness, that's a great question. I can think of a lot of examples related to technologies that have had policy implication. So that like, that was sort of like a new direction where it was, it was something that started off as you know, a development project turned into, you know, a product that hits the market that then ends up being able to be adopted and utilized in a broader way, which then influences policy. So thinking about some of the work related to tactile maps, thinking about some of the work related to accessible kiosks, that particular technology is embedded in ATMs and voting kiosks and things like that all around the country. And so I think, can think of some of those within NIDILRR'S portfolio where where we've really seen that sort of trajectory all the way through there. I'm sure that there are others other examples as well. And I'm sure that you all probably can think of some some too. I think that there's another example of of product development where the the initial project is really focused on developing XYZ product. But then there's this this other element that happens of how do we continue to promote hiring people with disabilities? How do we improve the manufacturing process to be inclusive and thinking of this from a universal design perspective as well with that was not the original plan or intent of that specific product project, the original plan was around XYZ product development. And yet these other byproducts are really closely aligned with nightless mission and who we are and so I think of some of those as examples that I've seen in our knowledge translation casebook and really being able to highlight those types of case examples of hey, you know, you might be come in with, I want to develop XYZ product, which is the grant that's being funded. But hey, we're also living and breathing these, these additional principles to improve the lives of people with disabilities and hire people with disabilities and to think and adapt from a universal design perspective,
Mary Goldberg 15:03
yeah, there's so much intentionality in the approach that these byproducts are really not happenstance right, but are incorporated. From the beginning, I think with NIDILRR'S emphasis on the sustainability and NIDILRR'S dedication to the knowledge translation process. And obviously, the funding of the Knowledge Translation centers as well to make sure that these products ultimately get into the hands of the users that need them the most. So in your right policy certainly is a key pathway to being able to do that, and I know is often incorporated into the initial project proposals. It's really wonderful. Thank you. And so for those who are interested in pursuing NIDILRR funding or learning more, but aren't quite sure of the path outside of the website, or fishing around the RFAs, what might you recommend? Are there some non traditional approaches to getting more acquainted with NIDILRR?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 15:58
Absolutely, you know, I think that first of all, you know, being able to certainly peruse grants.gov, acl.gov, where you can learn a little bit more about NIDILRR, but also a website called NARIC, N A R I C .com. This is a clearing house of our NIDILRR grantees. And it's our program database. And so I would encourage individuals to go there and put in the various topics or ideas that you may have to see the type of work that we have funded in the past. And it will pull up the name of the principal investigators on that particular project, as well as the NIDILRR project officers. And so and if there's a website for that particular project, or contact information, it's all right there. And it gives you a snapshot of the of the funded abstract for that that work. And what I think that that can do is it provides you with a pathway to connect with, you know, an individual who has been successful in receiving nightly funding and to better understand the the depth and the breadth of the types of work that we do fund, and gives you that connection of being able to engage in conversations with successfully funded individuals. I think that for me, and I would say this to absolutely anybody applying for their first ever, ever federal grant, is that that mentorship and guidance from those who have been successful is really, really helpful as you as you navigate the process.
Mary Goldberg 17:28
That being said, do you have one final piece of advice for our listeners, especially those who are budding assistive technology innovators who I think we might attract?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 17:37
So first of all, remember that NIDILRR exists and that we are interested in potentially funding your work, I think that the nice thing about NIDILRR is that you don't have to make the case as to why assistive technology and why product development should matter for the disability community. Whereas with some of the others, it can feel like you have to make, you have to sort of sell that idea first, you can really come to us with Hey, this is the idea. And this is the wow factor of how it's really going to have XYZ impact why we believe that this is going to improve the lives of people with disabilities like you can sort of come into that already in chapter two, if it's so to speak, you don't have to set the stage and in that way, because that is who we are at NIDILRR within the administration for community living. And I hope that what that can do is that then it gives you the room and in the grant application to really dive into the the more the more specifics of the product of the Technology Transfer piece that you're that you're thinking about, of what you foresee the impact of that product being or of that technology being used. You can really use that space for the science and for the research.
Mary Goldberg 18:52
Excellent. And how can our listeners connect with you?
Anjali Forber-Pratt 18:57
Yeah, so you can connect with me through acl.gov and also through my email address, which is Anjali, A n j a l i, dot forber, fo r b e r, hyphen Pratt, p r a t t @acl.hhs.gov. And you know, you can find ACL on social medias as well. So it's on Twitter, it's the at sign ACL. gov, and hashtag NIDILRR to see what our grantees are up to.
Mary Goldberg 19:29
Awesome. Thanks so much, Anjali, again, we really appreciate your time and learning more about you and NIDILRR'S work and know that our listeners will be very enthusiastic about this also. So appreciate you and all you do.
Anjali Forber-Pratt 19:44
Thank you so much.
Mary Goldberg 19:45
We're excited to continue Season Three with some surprise guests and cohosts. Want to hear one of your favorite innovators on ImpacTech or feature your own technology and story? Contact us today at info at Idea two impact.org Be sure to type the numeral two in idea to impact. So again, reach us at info at idea 2 impact.org. Until then, keep making an impact in whatever you do. If you'd like ImpacTech, please review us on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you again for tuning in and continue to make an impact in whatever you do.
A quick note from our sponsors. IMPACT initiatives are being developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. NIDILRR's a center within the Administration for Community Living Department of Health and Human Services. IMPACT initiatives do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government and the same goes for the University of Pittsburgh. We would like to thank our ImpacTech guests and our production team led by Dr. Michelle Zorrilla at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology.