Initiative Description
The AT Program, housed under the Council for Developmental Disabilities, continues to work with the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network to complete its goal of training all First Responders in the CNMI. The DD Network consists of three partners in each state and territory: University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Developmental Disabilities Councils (DD Councils), and State Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As). The CNMI Assistive Technology Program in collaboration with the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities, CNMI-University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc. partnered on an initiative to provide training to CNMI First Responders for the next five years per the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities five-year state plan 2022-2026. Training objective is to provide an overview of different disability types and accommodations that may be necessary, as well as an overview of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 as it relates to first responders. In addition, effective communication tools and strategies will be also covered. The total number of hours for this training is 8 hours. A certificate of participation will be provided to those individuals who have completed the training. Partners provided funding and/or staff support training, cost-share for venue rental, printing of training materials, and staff support. As of October 2022, the AT Program in partnership with DD Council has provided trainings for over 500 first responders in the CNMI’s three populated islands. The program plans to continues its training with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to be completed in FY 2023. Requests for similar trainings to be conducted for the cadets from the Fire, Police and Customs have been received.
Lessons Learned/Replication
Measurable results were evident in the pre and post-tests conducted during the trainings. This allowed for the expansion of access and reach of and to Assistive Technology available in the CNMI, with the various agencies involved in the trainings. The initiative is an ongoing process that is also a significant part of the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities Five-Year State Plan and will be continued. A part of this initiative contains ongoing evaluation plans that will be modified/adjusted based on feedback and data collected. The DD Network is looking at negotiating with the various training programs such as the fire, police and customs academy to make the “Disability Awareness and Communication Tools” a standard class offered during the academies. This will ensure that all future new cadets are more prepared for assisting individuals with any type of disability upon graduating.