FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CDS

The Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC) at the University of Minnesota is the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research's designated national center on community integration of persons with developmental disabilities. The RTC has extensive experience working with community agencies to understand the needs and experiences of individuals with developmental disabilities. This work has included analyses of the essential training needed by DSPs and development of training programs to prepare DSPs to meet the needs and support the desired experiences of people with developmental disabilities. The RTC serves as primary developer of the content and instructional design of the CDS. It is supported in its efforts by the CDS board of editors.

Because every situation is unique, no single curriculum can promise to replace all training in any organization. To be truly effective, even the best training content must be supplemented by on-the-job opportunities and be customized to meet individual needs of people receiving supports. The CDS offers a broad array of effective interactive learning that can be customized and modularized to meet unique needs. It can replace much of your classroom or independent training. It will allow reallocation of experienced trainers to on-site, on-the-job training. In addition, the CDS offers suggestions to both learner and supervisors on how to develop on-the-job learning and how to get the skills needed by each learner in each unique situation.

For a free trial of the CDS, go to www.collegeofdirectsupport.com and follow the instructions for first time users and you will be offered a course to review free of charge.

Virtually anyone with a PC computer and access to the Internet can access the CDS. People interested in purchasing the CDS can do so as individuals, organizations, states, or other partnering entities. Individuals will have access to the content only through an "e-commerce" model, which will give them time-limited access for a set fee per course.
Businesses, states, and other partnering entities will be asked to enter into contractual agreements to have access to the content, learner management system, and the human resource functions for the period of the contract.

The minimum requirements include -

• IBM-compatible computer usually called a PC. The CDS is not Mac compatible.
• 500 MHz processor, running Microsoft Windows 98® (second edition) or later.
• 128 MB RAM.
• 56k modem or high speed connection. A high speed connection such as DSL is highly recommended.
• Color monitor capable of 800 x 600 resolution.
• Audio sound card with amplified speakers.
• Printer.
• Internet Explorer® (preferred) or Netscape Navigator® version 4.0 or later.
• Windows Media Player® plug-in.
• Macromedia Flash Player 6® plug-in.
• Window Eyes® screen reader is the recommended screen reader for Flash compatibility.

Yes! Prior to the first lesson, a tutorial program is provided to walk the learner through the basic keystrokes and mouse work needed for successful navigation of the CDS. We have found that those who have never before used a computer are very eager and excited about learning this new skill.

Training and support is provided via telephone and/or online from MC Strategies' WebInservice® Help Desk for designated administrators during generally accepted business hours. Each customer is provided with a customer service representative whose sole job is to support customers in effectively using the CDS.

Each purchaser using the CDS appoints an administrator who will have the responsibility of overseeing and directing the use of the CDS within that organization. The administrator is the primary liaison between the purchaser and MC Strategies, Inc., which will provide training on using the CDS learner management system. The number of administrators needed by any organization depends on its size and geographic scope but many will only require one administrator.

MC Strategies' WebInservice® program has over 1,000,000 registered learners. There are 300,000 learners actively enrolled at any time.

The CDS aims for a reading level of 6th to 8th grade level. There are many challenges in achieving this goal in an industry that has literally thousands of unique terms and in which base concepts are complex and deep. Much of the current content tests between the 8th and 10th grade reading level. Although terms like developmental disabilities, regulations, and blood borne pathogens raise the reading level, they are essential learning for the DSP role. Once these terms are learned they do not present further challenges to learners. It is also important to remember that the content in the CDS is presented and reinforced through visual, auditory, and interactive materials. In addition, learners pace the instruction at a speed that works for them. They can review materials as needed, follow suggestions for further learning, and check for understanding as they complete exercises. An online glossary is always available to learners and new terms are directly linked to the glossary for learners.

Annual and ongoing updates to current CDS courses will become immediately available to contract holders at no extra charge. This is one of the clear benefits of on-line training. When contracts are renewed, fees may be slightly increased to reflect the expanded library of course offerings.

The CDS is priced according to the number of individuals served by the purchasing entity. Incentives are built into the pricing schedule to encourage organizations to collaborate and create joint purchasing entities. To discuss CDS pricing for your organization, please contact the CDS representative listed in this brochure.

Bill Tapp
College of Direct Support
1400 East Fifth Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
bill@collegeofdirectsupport.com
tel: (865) 934-0221
fax (865) 524-5563