John D. Westbrook
Program Manager
John Westbrook is Program Manager of SEDL's Disability Research to Practice program. His current work focuses on strategies—including knowledge translation and the use of systematic reviews—for increasing the quality, accessibility, and usefulness of disability research and information. As head of the Disability Research to Practice (DRP) program, Dr. Westbrook also oversees the program’s grant and contract activities; designs, plans, and implements new initiatives; manages all program activities; and facilitates communications between DRP and governmental entities, other researchers and service providers, and consumers. In addition, he serves on the SEDL Management Council and as the primary SEDL representative in the areas of disability research and knowledge use.
Contact Information
You may contact John D. Westbrook at 512-391-6565
Dr. Westbrook has extensive experience in the areas of disability research, development, dissemination, technical assistance, and training at the state, regional, and national levels. His work focuses on strengthening the quality, relevance, and usefulness of disability and rehabilitation research to expand opportunities, choices, and services for persons with disabilities and their families.
- Disability Research
Since 2001, Dr. Westbrook has served as contract manager for the Region VI Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) through a subcontract with the Institute for Rehabilitation Research (TIRR). This work involves developing and implementing three national research studies focusing on disability and employment to improve DBTAC services.
Since 2008, Dr. Westbrook has served as principal investigator and director for the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders project. This national project is working to improve employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders by identifying best practices and conducting systematic reviews and research investigating strategies and models of service.
- Knowledge Use
Since 1995, Dr. Westbrook has served as principal investigator and director for the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR). In this position, he oversees all NCDDR activity, which includes improving the quality and use of disability research and providing rigorous standards, support, and resources for conducting systematic reviews.
Since 2009, Dr. Westbrook has served as contract manager for the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer (KT4TT) project via a subcontract with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. This project aims to improve the transfer of technology innovations into products and practices that can benefit people with disabilities.
Dr. Westbrook’s previous work at SEDL includes directing projects focused on increasing access to and use of disability research, including the Research Utilization Support and Help (RUSH) Project (2003–2009), the Region VI Regional Information Exchange (1983–1995), the National Model for Supported Employment and Independent Living (1988–1991), and the Independent Living Services Network (1987–1989). He also worked as a dissemination specialist with the Regional Exchange project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Prior to joining SEDL in 1982, Dr. Westbrook worked as a consultant and a staff development specialist for the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He has also worked as a continuing medical education staff development specialist for the Texas Research Institute of the Mental Sciences; as a teacher and supervisor of the Life Skills Department at the Texas School for the Deaf; as an educational consultant in the Multiple Handicapped Hearing Impaired Planning Project of the Texas Education Agency, and as a special education teacher and administrator.
Dr. Westbrook has published numerous articles and papers and served on a number of disability-related organizations and projects. He has served as vice president of the National Association of Rehabilitation and Research Training Centers (NARRTC) several times and became president-elect in 2009. In 2005 he was invited to participate in the White House Conference on Aging and Disability in Washington, DC. In 2004, he received the Charlotte Toulouse Award from the Southwest Conference on Disability for improving communication between people with disabilities and disability researchers. And in 1998, he was selected by the National Rehabilitation Association to be a Switzer Scholar.
Dr. Westbrook participates in the international Campbell Collaboration. In 2008 he initiated service as co-chairman of the Disability Subgroup. Education
Dr. Westbrook holds three degrees from the University of Texas at Austin: a BS in speech with a focus on the education of the deaf and hearing impaired; an MA in special education with a focus on language and learning disorders; and a PhD in educational administration with a focus on special education administration. SEDL Publications
- The Challenge of Evidence in Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Practice: A Position Paper (2009)
- FOCUS - Technical Brief Number 20: Campbell Collaboration Establishes Disability Subgroup (2008)
- Dissemination Self-Inventory (2002)
- Developing an Effective Dissemination Plan (2001)
- General Characteristics of Effective Dissemination and Utilization (1996)
- Westbrook, J., Blasiotti, E., & Kobayashi, I. (2001). Disability studies and electronic networking. In K. Seelman & G. Albrecht (Eds.), Handbook of Disability Studies. Sage Publications.
- Westbrook, J. (1999). Rehabilitation research: Areas of accountability issues. National Rehabilitation Association: Switzer Scholar Paper.
- Westbrook, J. (1992, December). The role of the vocational rehabilitation counselor in school-based transition services. REHAB TIMES. Texas Rehabilitation Association.
