**SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART B**

**OMB Package for**

**"Assessing the Needs of State Vocation Rehabilitation Agencies and**

**State Rehabilitation Councils for Technical Assistance"**

# May 22, 2007

**B. Statistical Methods**

**B1. Sampling**

None of the data collection included in this study involves sampling.

**B2. Procedures for the Collection of Information**

**a. Sample Selection**

No sampling will be done as part of this study.

**b. Estimation Procedures and Degree of Accuracy**

Because there will be no sampling, estimation procedures will not be
employed.

**c. Data Collection Procedures**

The two questionnaires will be placed on Development Associates' Web
site. To initiate the survey, e-mails will be sent to each State VR
Director's and SRC Chairperson's individual e-mail address. Each e-mail
will contain the URL address of the relevant questionnaire as well as a
password that is unique to each VR agency and SRC. In the case of VR
agencies, there will be two passwords, one for the State Director and
one for all other respondents in the agency. The passwords provided to
State Directors and SRC Chairpersons will be used to submit the final
questionnaire responses to Development Associates. If requested, we will
also provide versions of the forms in alternative formats.

**B3. Procedures to Maximize the Response Rate**

The goal for this needs assessment will be a 100 percent response rate
from both the State VR agencies and the SRCs. We believe that the
flexible nature of a Web-based survey will facilitate responses. We also
believe that because the results will be used to design a technical
assistance network for State VR agencies and SRCs, respondents will be
highly motivated to respond.

Our approach to maximizing response rate will include e-mail reminders,
follow-up telephone calls, and the presence of a toll-free 800 number
which respondents can call with questions or to request assistance.
Using comparable follow-up methods on a previous study for RSA, we
received a 100 percent response rate on a survey of more than 50
American Indian VR projects.

**B4. Pilot Tests of Data Collection Procedures and Instruments**

Web-based versions of the instruments were pilot-tested with three State
VR agencies (Georgia combined, Missouri general, and New Mexico blind)
and three SRCs (New Jersey general, Missouri general, and New Mexico
blind).

Based on the results of these pilot tests, we have made two important
changes to the data collection instruments:

-   The wording of the scale for the first item on all of the forms has
    been changed from "Little importance......Great importance" to
    "Little need......Great need" in order to clarify its purpose to
    respondents; and

-   The scales on the key items have been changed from seven-point to
    five-point scales, to reflect the preferences of respondents and to
    make the forms easier to use for visually impaired respondents using
    screen readers.

The respondents suggested a few changes in wording to improve
understanding and suggested the addition of a few sub-items. Respondents
also identified selected issues with the Web-based versions of the
forms, including items that are difficult to use by those with visual
impairments using screen readers. These changes have been integrated
into the instruments submitted in this package.

**B5. Persons Responsible for Design, Data Collection and Analysis**

A contractor, Development Associates, Inc. of Arlington, Virginia is
conducting the needs assessment. The Project Director for the evaluation
contract is Dr. Malcolm Young (703-276-0677). Mr. Charles Sadler of the
Rehabilitation Services Administration (202-245-7514) is managing the
project.