Our dissemination plan is closely linked to our evaluation program since both activities involve all of these stakeholder groups. By knowing what is useful, interesting or redundant, we tailor our content and format to best communicate with each stakeholder group. We rely on the favored literature base and preferred communication channels of each stakeholder group, so that we communicate with them from a common ground. We emphasize various aspects of technology transfer, depending on the expected involvement of each group. For example, Product Producers and consumers are involved in needs analysis and product design, while Technology Producers and consumers are focused on emerging technologies and the methods of research and development.
Technology transfer is an outgrowth of work in many disciplines and fields.
Some of our time is spent finding and assimilating the literature from sources outside the field of rehabilitation engineering, such as work conducted in federal laboratories, university programs in other disciplines or in the corporate sector. Our on-going work continues to develop new knowledge through the integration of literature from such sectors and disciplines. It is important to ensure that the content is preserved in the translation from one context and vernacular to another.