Disability-inclusive data collection tool
T
he IDMS Tool is a data gathering tool that gathers relevant information on persons with disabilities; aiding in the identification of persons with disabilities through the Washington Group Questions (WGQs), along with their needs, vulnerabilities, and capacities in peace time as well as in times of disaster. This tool was developed following five regional consultations held in Manila City, Baguio City, Borongan in Eastern Samar, Tagum City, and Cebu City, including eight exploratory meetings with government agencies and international non-government organizations. Suggestions and recommendations from multi-stakeholders on what information must be captured were included in the tool.
The IDMS Tool is currently available in English and Tagalog versions and is divided into the following sections:
Using the Washington Group Questions
Note that in both Parts A and B, an item asking for respondent’s Barangay is added. This is not an error. However, make sure to put the same answer in both items as this will make data management later less complicated. The simple explanation to this is that, in the file that will be downloaded from KoboToolbox once data collection is complete, responses to Parts B to D will appear in a separate sheet (the first sheet includes all Household Information or Parts A, E, F, and G). This is because Parts B to D of the IDMS Tool, by design, are sections that duplicate based on the respondent’s answer to question 12.a. (number of persons with disabilities in the household who can/be assisted to respond to the survey).
It is very important to be familiar with the IDMS Tool before conducting the survey. It is recommended to go through all the included questions before proceeding with the data gathering. Since not everyone has the same definition of what disability is, and since disability has a stigma attached to it, it’s critical that the questions used to collect disability data are well-designed and applied.The Washington Group has created comprehensive documents on how to ask the questions and interpret the results. DO NOT use the word ‘disability’ when introducing yourself and the IDMS project to the respondents and when asking the six questions from WGQs. This includes other negative terms and phrases that denote the same. Never change the question or response options’ wording. 15
IDMS GUIDEBOOK
Part A. Household Information This section collects information from the Head of the Household or a representative of the Head of the Household. It collects demographic data from the household which includes the following: • Sex and Civil Status of the Head of
Household
• Number of families in the household • Income and expenses of the household
related to the needs of the members of the household with disabilities • Washington Group Questions (WGQs)
