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Thirteenth meeting: Amman, 29-31 October 2013

29/10/2013 - 31/10/2013

Overview

The 13th meeting of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) was held 29-31 October 2013 in Amman, Jordan. The primary focus of the meeting was a presentation from the workgroup on child functioning and disability on the development of a proposed question module designed to measure functioning and disability among children.

Results from additional analysis of country experiences measuring disability using the WG Short Set (SS) of questions and preliminary guidelines for analyses of the Extended Set of questions on Functioning (ES-F) using data from the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were also presented.

In addition to reports on other Washington Group related activities, updates were provided on behalf of partner organizations with respect to their recent activities related to disability statistics, and the Steering Committee chair led a discussion on strategic issues including planning next steps.

Detailed Meeting Program

Objectives

  1. Review and approve analyses of results of country data collection using the Washington Group Short Question Set (WG SS)
  2. Review and approve guidelines for analyzing data obtained from the Washington Group Extended Question Set on Functioning (WS ES-F)
  3. Adopt the Extended Set of Questions on Child Disability (WG ES-C)
  4. Review progress in developing the Washington Group Extended Set of Questions on Environmental Factors and Participation (WG ES-E/P)
  5. Review recent international activities in disability statistics
  6. Approve work plan

Papers and Presentations

Session 1: Opening Session

A review of developments since the last meeting; and a review of the objectives and agenda for the 13th meeting were provided.

Objectives and Agenda [pdf]

Session 2: WG Short Set

Country experiences and results using the WG Short Set (SS) questions were presented in the session.

Session 3: WG Extended Set on Functioning

A brief review of the development of the Extended Set on Functioning (ES-F) was presented; followed by a presentation of results from further analyses of data from the 2011 US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The session also included a discussion on guidelines and strategies for analysis of the ES-F.

Documents

  1. Development of Extended Set of Disability Measures for Surveys: The Extended Set on Functioning [pdf]
  2. The Matrix (Workplan for the development of the Extended Question Sets) [pdf]
  3. The Washington Group Extended Set on Functioning (WG ES-F) [pdf]

Session 4: Methodological Issues Concerning Surveys – Child Disability

A review and presentation of additional work on the Module on Child Functioning and Disability (ES-C) were provided during this session; followed by an update on the cognitive testing of the question module and a discussion of plans for field testing including preliminary results from analysis of field test data. The session also included a review of UNICEF’s work on measuring facilitators and barriers to school participation. The session concluded with a discussion of the next steps for the workgroup on child disability.

Documents

  1. WG/UNICEF Module on Child Functioning and Disability – Background [pdf]
  2. Measuring Environmental Factors and School Participation for Children with Disability – Concept Note [pdf]

Session 5: Country Reports

A summary of the annual reports on national activities related to disability statistics was provided. This session also included a presentation from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on regional issues related to disability measurement and rights.

Session 6: Next Steps and Objectives for the 13th

This session included the presentation of a proposal to create a workgroup to develop measures specific to mental health. In addition, a request was made for the WG to establish a workgroup to look into the use of data registers in the compilation of disability statistics. The WG Steering Committee chair led a discussion providing updates on governance issues; summarizing the accomplishments of the 13th meeting; outlining of the next steps; and closing remarks.

Executive Summary

Report to the United Nations Statistical Commission

Workgroup Contacts

The workgroups will present status reports at the 14th meeting of the WG. Chairs have been identified and will serve as the contact for each workgroup. Information on the workgroup topics and chairs are provided below. WG members who wish to volunteer to participate in one of these groups are to contact the workgroup chairs.

  • Workgroup on Child Disability

    Chairs: Roberta Crialesi and Elena DePalma, Italy
    This workgroup is charged with the development of specific question modules designed to measure disability among children.

  • Workgroup on Environmental Factors and Participation

    Chair: Barbara Altman, USA
    This workgroup is charged with designing extended set questions for the measurement of environmental factors including both barriers and facilitators.

  • Workgroup on the Analysis of the Extended Set on Functioning

    Chair: Julie Weeks, USA
    This workgroup is charged with the development of an analytic plan and continued analysis of the WG Extended Set of questions on Functioning (ES-F).

  • Workgroups on Mental Health and Data Registers

    The development of measures specific to mental health and the use of data registers for the compilation of disability statistics were presented for discussion at the 13th meeting. Proposals were made for the creation of workgroups to address these tasks. Individuals interested in leading or participating in either of these workgroups should contact the WG Secretariat.

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