Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH) proposes to establish a Community Information Network for Individuals with Disabilities (CINID) that can serve as a model for other communities throughout the country. The primary purpose of the center is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have comparable access to the Internet and to information and resources through Internet services as that enjoyed by the able community. Information relevant to this population relating to specific community resources, health care needs, travel and entertainment will be provided through the Internet at a specialized disability website. The information base will promote the widespread use, availability and accessibility of health information specific to the needs of individuals with disabilities with special reference to National Library of Medicine links and through the utilization of innovative high-speed broadband technology. The proposal describes the creation of a system of computer access sites at strategic public locations throughout the City of Boston with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and its neighborhood centers as a central CORE and the Boston Public Library system and the Greater Boston YMCA, serving as primary access sites. The City of Boston, through its neighborhood system of Information Kiosks will promote utilization of the network. The computer access sites will be in compliance with ADA regulations governing accessibility and will be equipped with adapted computer hardware and software, including specialized assistive technologic devices or peripherals, that will meet a broad spectrum of impairment needs.
