Programme : Presentation on 23
September 2003Report on Washington City Group on Disability Statistics
Text version of a Powerpoint Presentation
Presented by Jennifer Madans on 23 September 2003, 11:00am
Slide 1
Report on Washington City Group on Disability Statistics
Jennifer Madans
National Center for Health Statistics
Centers for Disease Control
United States
Washington City Group on Disability Statistics
2
Objectives
- Develop a small set(s) of general disability measures to provide information on
disability worldwide
- Recommend extended set(s) of items to measure disability as components of population
surveys / supplements
- Address methodological issues associated with disability measurement
3
Areas of agreement
- It is important and possible to craft internationally comparable general disability
measures
- Multiple purposes require multiple general measures
- Short and long set(s) of measures that are inter-related are needed
- ICF model will be used as a framework in developing disability measures
4
Areas of agreement
Minimal requirements for a disability measure:
- Focus on the activity dimension of the ICF
- Clear link to purpose
- Flexible, conceptual translation
- Specification of limitations of measure(s)
- Specification of how personal assistance / device use will be treated in relation to the
measure
5
First Step - Development of Measurement Matrix
- Put some order into the discussion of disability measurement
- Help clarify the purpose of data collection in order to identify appropriate measures
- Understand choices being made when time, expenses and respondent burden limit number of
questions
6
Mapping the Space
- Disability measurement is multidimensional like the phenomena itself.
- Not every measure is appropriate for every purpose, nor is a single measure always
sufficient.
- Objective of The Disability Measurement Matrix is to develop a tool to guide
the choice of measures appropriate to the purpose of the data collection.
7
Matrix Components
- The matrix is made up of three parts
- Part A represents the variety of purposes for
measurement . In graphic format it is represented by the Y axis.
- Part B represents the substantive aspects of the
questions that enhance the understanding of the concept of disability. In
graphic format it is represented by the X axis.
8
Matrix Components
- Part C represents the characteristics of the questions
that specify details about either the concept of disability or the format of the questions
that can influence the data that are gathered. In graphic format it is represented by the
Z axis
9
Visualizing the Matrix Components
10
Linking purposes of measurement with question content and characteristics
| Purpose |
ICF Concept |
Characteristic of the Questions |
Body Structure
Function |
Activity
Participation |
| Equalization of Opportunity |
|
|
With or without assistive devices |
Number of answer categories |
| Monitoring Population Trends |
|
|
|
|
| Service Provision |
|
|
|
|
11
Second Step - Census Questions
- Agreed first question/s needed for Censuses
- Potential Purposes of Census questions
- Provision of Services
- Monitoring Level of Functioning of Population
- Equalization of Opportunity
12
Purpose Dictates Question Type
- Service Provision - seeks to identify those who require specific services
- Monitoring Population - seeks to identify all those with activity or participation
limitation
- Equalization of opportunity - seeks to identify all those 'at greater risk' of activity
or participation limitation
13
Purpose - Service Provision
Types of questions would include:
- ADLs
- IADLS
- Vision and Hearing
- Need for help
- Person /environment fit
14
Characteristics of Resulting Data
- Service Provision measures allow for tracking those in need of specific types of
services, e.g. those most seriously limited.
- Monitoring policy changes with these data also requires information about the services
received and demonstrates changing patterns of service needs
15
Purpose - Monitoring Population
- Types of questions needed to include the wider population
- Limitations in functioning (seeing;walking;remembering, etc.)
- Limitations in self care
- Limitations in activity and participation
16
Data for Monitoring Trends
- Using measures of participation can demonstrate what proportion of the population
continues to experience restrictions in work and other activities
- Using the participation limitation measures does not allow the observer to directly
evaluate the successes created by policy change
- Evaluate after accommodation
17
Examples of Appropriate Questions
- Are (you or Is person) limited in the kind or amount of work (you/they) can do because
of a physical, mental or emotional problem?
- Are (you or Is person) limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental
or emotional problems?
18
What is being measured?
Disability prevalence - Reported Work Limitation
19
Focusing on Work Limitations Does Not Reveal Success - Group that moves to No Work
Limitation
20
Purpose - Equalization of Opportunity
- Types of questions that identify persons who are 'at high risk' to experience
activity/participation limitations
- Limitations in functioning (seeing; walking; remembering, etc.)
- Use of assistive devices; other accommodations
21
When Monitoring Population Trends
- The number of disabled persons is used as the numerator of a rate/percent.
- Disability status is evaluated after accommodation
22
When Evaluating Equalization of Opportunity
- Disability status is used to categorize the population so that the characteristics of
subgroups can be studied and compared across subgroups.
- Disability status is evaluated before accommodation.
23
Examples of Appropriate Questions
- How difficult is it for you to walk a quarter of a mile- about 3 city blocks?
- Do you now use any special equipment or assistive devices to aid you in your usual
activities?
24
What is being Measured?
Disability as a demographic - Functional Limitations
25
Next Steps
- Chose a purpose for Census questions
- Evaluate measures currently in use according to dimensions of the purpose
- Review results of methodological testing of general measures conducted in various
countries
- Test one or two candidate general measures in several countries (particularly developing
countries) and report results at the next meeting
26
Meeting Products and More Information
- Full report of last two meetings posted on the Washington City Group website along with
presentations / papers from the meetings
- Prioritized list of issues to be addressed at future meetings
- Publication of key papers in a special issue of "Research in Social Science and
Disability"
Return to top |
