NEEDS ANALYSIS EXPERT DECISION SYSTEM (NEEDS)

THE GOAL IS AN INTERACTIVE COMPUTER PROGRAM TO FACILITATE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, DECISION- MAKING, GOAL SETTING, AND TRACKING ACROSS SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. THE PROPOSED APPROACH IS A RULE-BASED EXPERT SYSTEM AND MAN- AGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM INCORPORATING RULES FOR MAKING DECISIONS IN AREAS IN- CLUDING EDUCATION, RESIDENTIAL LIVING, FINANCE, HEALTH, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, TRANSPORTATION, TRANSITION PLANNING, AND PERSONAL MANAGEMENT. BASED ON THE ASSESSMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS, THE SYSTEM WOULD RECOMMEND COURSES OF ACTIONS, INCLUDING A LIST OF SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT CAN HELP MEET THOSE NEEDS. THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO CURRENT NEEDS, AS WELL AS PREPARING THE FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL FOR FUTURE NEEDS. THE SYSTEM WILL ALLOW FAMILIES TO EVALUATE PROGRESS MADE AND TRACK ACROSS PROVIDERS. THE AIMS OF PHASE I ARE: TO DEFINE THE OVERALL CONCEPT IN A MANNER FULLY RESPONSIVE TO THE PERCEIVED NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND CASE MANAGERS; TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN ACHIEVING A WORKABLE, ACCEPTABLE SYS- TEM; AND TO DEVELOP AND DEMONSTRATE A PROTOTYPE EXPERT SYSTEM WHICH PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF NEEDS ANALYSIS, DECISIONMAKING, AND PLANNING FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. SUCCESSFUL PHASE I COMPLETION WOULD ESTABLISH CONFIDENCE IN SYSTEM FEASIBLILTY AND LEAD TO FORMULATION OF A PHASE II DEVELOPMENT PLAN.