Disability-inclusive data collection tool

The 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:

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)

Using the Washington Group Questions

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. 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).

Part B. Profiling of Persons with Disabilities

This part focuses on the individual profile of the person with disabilities. Questions include:

• Sex • Gender • Age/Date of Birth • Civil Status • Registration Status • Employment Status • Skills and Education • Type and Cause of Disability • Resources needed and resources the household member/s with disability currently have

Part C. Policies and Laws

This part gauges the level of awareness and involvement of persons with disabilities in the implementation of policies related to disability and disaster risk reduction and management. It also looks into the roles of various agencies and sectors in the effective implementation of these laws:

• Magna Carta for Disabled Persons • Accessibility Law • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Law of the Philippines • Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection

Act

Part D. Services and Benefits

Services and Benefits looks into the respondent’s level of awareness and ease of access to basic benefits and services as mandated by the law. These benefits and services include: • 20% Discount and Value Added Tax Exemption on the purchase of certain goods and services such as Lodging Establishments, Restaurants, Recreation Centers, Purchase of Medicines and Foods for Special Medical Purposes, Medical and Dental Services, Diagnostic and Laboratory Fees and Professional Fees of Attending

Doctors, Domestic Air and Sea Travel, and

Land Transportation Travel • Educational Assistance • Benefits from GSIS, SSS and Pag-Ibig based on their respective charters • Sidewalks, ramps, and railings in public spaces • Express Lanes

Part E. Participation in governance

The fifth part solicits information on household participation in government or non-government initiated activities related to disaster risk reduction, government planning, emergency preparedness, and programming for persons with disabilities.

Part F. Institutions

The household’s access and frequency of interaction with the following public and private institutions that support the needs and provide services to persons with disabilities are included in this part of the tool:

• Person with Disability Affairs Office/Officer • Local Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Office (MDRRMO) • Barangay officials • Local health officer • Non-government organizations • Schools • Religious organizations

Part G. Awareness on DRR and disaster experience

The last section probes respondent’s experiences in preparing for and responding to disasters. This part seeks to assess their understanding of their exposure to hazards, particularly for persons with disabilities in the household. It also allows them to share their expertise and skills that can contribute to the implementation of DRRM activities.