The paper suggests the application of a research and development (R and D) process in an ongoing project at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Four phases/stages of the process are discussed: research, development, implementation, and maintenance. It is pointed out that the objective of the project has been to train normal hearing peers to tutor and take notes for deaf college students enrolled in regular college classes. Results of the tutoring/notetaking project are seen to suggest that the four phase process can enhance the probability of bringing about innovation through R and D efforts. Stressed is the importance of increasing "user" involvement within each stage of the process. (SB)