Abstract
The Washington Group questions (WGQ) on functioning have been widely promoted as the go-to tool for disability data collection. Designed for use by government, the WGQ have been adopted by non-government organizations (NGOs) for use in programming. However, little is known about how the WGQs are being used by NGOs or how use may be contributing to disability inclusion. Method: This paper describes exploratory research on the use of the WGQ in NGO programming. An online survey provided an overview of adoption followed by semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample to explore data collection, analysis, and use. Results: Thematic analysis showed limited inclusion outcomes directly attributable to use of the WGQ, adoption driven by individual champions rather than systematically across organizations, and challenges in data collection resulting in a wide range of prevalence rates. What information the WGQ can realistically contribute to programs was also overestimated. However, the process of using the WGQ was raising awareness on disability inclusion within program teams and communities. Conclusion: Acknowledging differences in emerging use by NGOs beyond the WGQ’s intended purpose, alongside promoting a flexible and staged approach to adoption and use in programming, may improve utility and disability inclusion outcomes over time.
Highlights
The Washington Group on Disability Statistics is a United Nations (UN) City Group established in 2001 to improve disability data collection and comparisons between countries [1]
We have limited knowledge on how the questions are being used in non-government programs and to what extent their use is contributing to disability inclusion
This research explores the under-researched area of how Non-government organizations (NGOs) have adopted and are using the Washington Group questions (WGQ) in their programs
Summary
The Washington Group on Disability Statistics is a United Nations (UN) City Group established in 2001 to improve disability data collection and comparisons between countries [1]. Several question sets have been developed by the Group that are collectively known as the Washington Group questions. Non-government organizations (NGOs) are using and recommending use of the questions in development and humanitarian programming [3,4,5]. Uptake by NGOs has been accompanied by guidance on use of the questions and incorporation into standards [7,8,9]. We have limited knowledge on how the questions are being used in non-government programs and to what extent their use is contributing to disability inclusion. This research explores the under-researched area of how NGOs have adopted and are using the WGQ in their programs
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