Washington Group on Disability Statistics

First Meeting

February 18-20, 2002: Washington, D.C.

Overview

Representatives of national statistical agencies and international organizations of people with disabilities participated in 3 days of sessions directed toward developing agreement on the nature of a global measure of disability to be recommended for use in censuses and surveys in the world community. The group also sought to develop an agenda for future meetings by prioritizing the most pressing issues in disability measurement and data collection.

Agenda

Agenda - First Meeting of Washington Group on Disability Statistics [PDF - 37 KB]

Objectives

Current Objectives, as Modified at the First Meeting

Papers and Presentations

Introduction and Overview
The first session provided a welcome and review of the conclusions from the original meeting, United Nations International Seminar on the Measurement of Disability, as well as goal setting for the first meeting.
- Meeting Organization [PPT - 39 KB]
  presented by Jennifer Madans
- UN International Seminar on Measurement of Disability June 2001 [PPT - 72 KB]
  presented by Barbara Altman
Purpose of Measurement
Select attendees, representing both developed and developing nations, described disability measurement in their societies.
- Information Needs and ICF: Italian Experience [PPT - 115 KB]
  presented by Elena De Palma
- Disability: The Case of Hungary [PPT - 51 KB]
  presented by Eva Gardos
An Examination of the ICF Model
The ICF model and its relationship to disability measures was discussed.
- The ICF and Statistics on Disability and Health [PPT - 619 KB]
  presented by Marguerite Schneider
- Overview and Recent Developmental Work in Europe [PPT - 286 KB]
  presented by Emmanuelle Cambois (Euro-Reves)
- The ICF Model and Survery-Instruments [PPT - 103 KB]
  presented by Niels Rasmussen
U.N. Standard Disability Tables
Concepts, definitions, and classifications of disability were reviewed as well as the suggested approach to collecting data on disability in censuses.
- Revising the United Nations Census Recommendations on Disability [PPT - 80 KB]
  presented by Margaret Mbogoni and Angela Me, United Nations Statistics Division
Global Measures of Disability
This session focused on the types and numbers of questions that could be useful in census formats. The impact of the cut point associated with limited questions on estimates of disability was of particular concern.
- Australian Experience in Developing Disability Questions for the Census [PPT - 130 KB]
  presented by Joanne Hillerman
- Disability Census Questions, the Perspective of Developing Countries [PPT - 69 KB]
  presented by Margaret Mbogoni, United Nations Statistics Division
The Relationship of Global Measures to the ICF
This session examined the relationship of disability measures currently in use to the ICF.
- Global Measures of Disability: Statistics Canada’s Experience So Far... [PPT - 73 KB]
  presented by Renee Langlois, Statistics Canada
- ABS Approach to Collecting Disability Data and Relationship to the ICF: A joint paper prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) [PPT - 130 KB]
  presented by Joanne Hillermann
Exploring the Confounding Function of Assistive Device Use
This session explored the identification of disability and whether the lack of specification of assistive device use alters a true count of what is happening within a population. Does the lack of accurate consideration of all devices and their use compromise our measures? How does this impact on global indicators?
- Exploring the Impact of Assistive Device Use on Disability Measurement [PPT - 125 KB]
  presented by Jennifer Madans
What are the Unique Cultural Practices that Influence the Nature of the Environment or Prescribe or Proscribe Participation?
To ask participation questions in a culture that prohibits certain types of participation to certain members of the population is an exercise in futility. These presentations address the cultural attitudes within which the questions must be framed. Does this problem constitute a barrier to collecting comparable data?
- Cultural Practices and Environment and Participation Assessment [PPT - 138 KB]
  presented by Marguerite Schneider
What are the Unique Cultural Issues that Act as Barriers to Collecting Data? Are There Common Barriers to Data Collection that Occur Cross-Culturally?
- Language and Cultural Issues in Surveys of the European Union [PPT - 63 KB]
  presented by H. Van Oyen, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussel
- Disability Related Question in Indian Census [PPT - 148 KB]
  presented by by V.M. Tamhane
Summary Report to the UN Statistical Commission (33rd Session met March 5-8, 2002)
Final Report of the First Meeting [PDF - 80 KB]
Additional Papers and Presentations from the First Meeting of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics

Participants

Participant List (as of 1/25/2002)

Contacts

Jennifer Madans
Associate Director for Science
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 7207
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Phone: 301-458-4500
Fax: 301-458-4020
E-mail: JMadans@cdc.gov

Barbara M. Altman
Special Assistant for Disability Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 6111
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Phone: 301-458-4654
Fax: 301-458-4038
E-mail: BAltman@cdc.gov

Beth Rasch
Service Fellow
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 6110
Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003
Phone: 301-458-4248
Fax: 301-458-4037
E-mail: ERasch@cdc.gov