NARIC’s library houses thousands of research articles, books, reports, and other in-depth research publications which our patrons can order or download. But some people may be looking for something shorter that they can use to get a basic understanding of a topic. Publications and products like infographics, issue briefs, factsheets, and explainer videos can help a reader or viewer “get the gist” of an issue and may serve as a starting point if they want to explore that topic more deeply.

The NIDILRR grantee community works to translate their scientific research findings into information products that can help the disability community understand the work they do and put it to use in expanding community living opportunities. Here are a few recent examples: 

• Infographics use plain language and pictures to describe important information or data. The Rehabilitation Measures Database includes more than 30 infographics that explain what an instrument measures, what is expected of the patient, and what scores mean. Another example is Disability Experiences of Veterans Ages 18 – 64, which uses data from the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium to tell important facts about veterans with non-service connected disabilities.
• Issue briefs summarize the latest research on a topic. They may be more than a page or two, but they often highlight key points or takeaways. The Long Commute: Closing the Gap in Rural Employment for People with Serious Mental Health Conditions reviews the research on challenges to obtaining and maintaining employment and supported employment in rural areas, and potential solutions to those barriers.
• Factsheets outline key points from research so it can be understood at a glance. Careers that Work (PDF) and Redefining the Job Search (PDF) are two factsheets that present important findings from recent studies about ways to connect people with disabilities to competitive employment in the community.
• Short videos or video explainers can be both informative and entertaining. The School Series videos feature cartoon service animals teaching kids about disability, accessibility, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

These are just a few examples of how NIDILRR grantees share their research with their communities. Subscribe to our News and Notes from the NIDILRR Community and Beyond newsletter for more of these and other grantee resources and events. You may also be interested in our Research In Focus series, where we summarize new and interesting findings from NIDILRR-funded studies.

If you are a researcher interested in creating these kinds of products, check out the suite of tools at KT in 15 Minutes from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), the Plain Language Summary Tool from the Center on Knowledge Translation of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR), and their tipsheets on Conceptualizing Infographics and Data Visualizations (PDF) and Choosing Graphic Forms for Infographics and Data Visualizations (PDF).