Strategies for Expanding Geographic Reach via Technology

Federal data indicates that almost 20% of the U.S. adult population is living with a mental or emotional disability. People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF), a San Francisco-based nonprofit, has been providing public education and advocacy services related to psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities for over 15 years. Although PWDF is a very small organization (eight employees), its staff members are some of the nation’s foremost legal experts practicing in this area, specializing in the legal rights of people with disabilities as they relate to multiple federal issues, including social security benefits. The organization engaged a Capstone team to analyze and redesign the dissemination strategy of its public education program, with a specific goal of leveraging technology to increase geographic reach. The team conducted a detailed environmental scan and best-practices benchmarking analysis and provided PWDF with phased recommendations that can be implemented gradually as the organization obtains additional resources.