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CHADD: The Non-Profit Organization

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a non-profit membership organization. Their formation in 1987 was a result of a group of frustrated people whoought places to turn to for support and information but very few places were available (CHADD, 2014, para.4). Their mission statement, "CHADD improves the lives of people affected by ADHD" (CHADD, 2014, para.1) is simple yet a powerful statement to the lives they are able to help. They remain active in various ways by publishing a bi-monthly magazine for members titled "Attention," sponsoring an annual conference, and hosting a Web site as a source for information and support for people with ADHD. The CHADD organization's Web site on ADHD demonstrated accuracy, currency, and the objectivity that a Website would need to be consideredas a credible source.

First, to ensure accuracy, the members of CHADD's Board of Directors that oversees the objectives of their publishing's of information in their magazine and Web site are comprised of a diverse group made-up of professionals in many fields including medicine, law, education, and psychology. Many of the directors have personal experience with ADHD including the president of the organization Michael Mackay whose two sons were diagnosed with ADHD (CHADD, 2014, para.1). Considering the professional background and qualifications of the board members, their direct emotional involvement with ADHD and the various forms of contact information provided throughout the Web site demonstrates the Web site's ability to be considered an accurate and concurrent source of information on ADHD.

Next, when using any Web site for information, an important step to take is to check the currency of the site. Information out of date is of little value and use to anyone. Out of date information may lead the reader to take an inappropriate action that could have been avoided by looking elsewhere for an updated and creditable source. The CHADD organization provides a calendar right on the home page of their site showing upcoming events and updated information on ADHD. Everybody who visits the site can see that on 10/16/2014 a "School Interventions @ 3:00pm" will take place as well as on 10/22/2014 an event on "ADHD & Driving Safety @ 3:00pm" will be held (CHADD, 2014, para.3). This is a useful tool for someone seeking to learn more about ADHD for personal and educational reasons. In an article titled "Navigating in a Web of Deceit," the author, Roka (2000) gives a list of criteria for the creditability of a Web site. In that article, the author claims one criteria for a credible Web site is that its kept updated, and being able to see that updated information is constantly being published on CHADD's Web site demonstrates the currency it has as well as demonstrates a sense of their objective.

Finally, the objectivity of any Web site is not always easily determined yet needs to be explored. This objectivity greatly impacts the credibility of any Web sites information (Long & Chiagouris, 2006). The CHADD's Web site is easy to navigate with easy to follow tabs to point the reader to the information they are seeking. The site does have advertising here and there but does not interfere with the user ability to navigate throughout the entire Web site. Furthermore CHADD even offers links to an IRS publication of how much money they make from the advertisements to quickly clarify any concerns that their objective is to profit from the site. Another question to ask when determining any Web sites objectivity is "What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author"(Kapoun, 1998, p. 247). The information on CHADD's Web site is gathered through a program of CHADD specifically the NationalResourceCenter on ADHD (NRC), which is the CDC-funded national clearinghouse for evidence-based information about ADHD (CHADD, 2014). Evidence-based information leaves little room for opinions and only adds to the creditability the Web site deserves. This all leads to putting everything together and coming to a conclusion.

Overall, this information led to the conclusion that the Web site CHADD established for those frustrated people who formed the organization in 1987 deems creditable. The site was found to demonstrate accuracy in its numerous pages due to the diverse group of professionals with solid backgrounds and qualifications with ADHD. The currency of the site can be seen throughout the site with the organizations posted updates and upcoming events to support those wanting to become more educated or just seeking help and information on ADHD. The objective is clearly to inform and help people with information on ADHD by presenting evidence-based information and full disclosure of the financial workings of the organization. The CHADD's Web site is a creditable source of information on ADHD by demonstrating the criteria they met of accuracy, currency, and objectivity.

References

CHADD (2014). About. Retrieved October 23, 2014 from https://www.chadd.org/About-CHADD.aspx

CHADD (2014). Boards and Staff. Retrieved October 23, 2014 from https://www.chadd.org/About-CHADD/Boards-and-Staff/Board-of-Directors.aspx

CHADD (2014). Mission and History. Retrieved October 23, 2014 from https://www.chadd.org/About-CHADD/Mission-and-History.aspx
Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.

Long, M. M., & Chiagouris, L. (2006). The role of credibility in shaping attitudes toward nonprofit websites. International Journal of Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Marketing, 11(3), 239-249. doi:10.1002/nvsm.36
Roka, L. (2000). Navigating in a Web of deceit. Quill, 88(3), 18-20.

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