DRAGnet International Disability Network (DIDnet) Mission and Strategy October, 1994 + + + We believe QUALITY information is the most powerful tool of self-empowerment. + + + -> MISSION <- To locate, gather, and distribute quality disability information, information resources and information management tools for people with diverse disabilities, their families and care-givers, health, medical and rehabilitation specialists and for private, non-profit and government agencies. To serve as catalyst, organizer, resource, researcher and policy analyst supporting healthy disability community and improved quality of life through technology and policy research, accessible technology development and humane disability policy. To encourage free sharing of public information, active access to information resources, recycle assistive and adaptive computer technology and promoting ethical disability research. To work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to help people with disabilities build their capacity to solve their own disability-related problems, strengthen and enable individual communities to interconnect with the broader disability community and help shape policies promoting responsible disability culture. -> STRATEGY AND GOALS <- Provide a reliable, customer-service oriented computer network accommodating all three major technical specifications (QWK, FTS, and Internet) to globally link people with disabilities. Cultivate new sources of information (social, economic, commercial and political) and facilitate their transfer into electronic formats to increase distribution and translation into accessible formats. Encourage greater useful participation in discussions across disability groups and among different participants (individuals, specialists, professionals), leading to greater disability cultural awareness and information exchange. Expand the use and support of "electronic support groups", where people with disabilities collectively address issues of importance. Encourage greater discussion of difficult disability issues and the individual broadening of perspectives regarding needs outside their own. Encourage positive and supportive economic, social and political role models of, by and for people with disabilities which benefit individual disability cultures within the broader disability community and as productive members of society at large. ++++++++++++++++====================+++++++++++++++++ For More Information FREQ: DIDNET from one of the system addresses listed below. DRAGnet International Disability Network (DIDnet) is a project of DRAGnet: Disability Resources, Affiliates and Groups Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. DRAGnet 119 N. Fourth Street Suite 405 Minneapolis, MN 55401 612/338-2535 (voice) 612/338-2569 (fax) 612/753-1943 (bbs) DIDnet - 49:1/1 FidoNet - 1:282/1007 SiMNet - 16:612/33 Gordon Gillesby, DRAGnet President/CEO