United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division Sources of Disability Data Angela Me, Chief Social and Demographic Statistics Section

United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division

Sources of Disability Data

Angela Me, Chief Social and Demographic Statistics Section

- UNECE Statistical DivisionBishkek, 13-15 December 2006

Slide 2

An example of populations with disability

Body Functions and Structure Limitations

Activity limitations

Participation restrictions

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Working disability/Benefits


Slide 3

Counting/Identifying the different population groups

What statistical sources can we use to identify and count the different population groups?


Slide 4

Only limited forms of disabilities can be identified using administrative registers




Severe impairments



Slide 5

Only limited forms of disabilities can be identified using administrative registers




Severe impairments



Slide 6


• Some of the body functions and structure limitations can be measured through administrative registers

• Activity limitations and participation restrictions can be accurately measured only through population-based methods (household surveys and population censuses) because they can assess the individual’s functioning as a whole person, as opposed to those function and structure of his/her body parts which may not be relevant for administrative purposes


Slide 7


• In principle, population-based data methods can identify people according to all the ICF domains because they can measure the individual’s experience of the disability process in all its components

• The more population groups we want to identify, more information we need to collect in the data collection methods

• Not all population-based methods can identify all the relevant populations


Slide 8

Population-based data collection

• Population census

• Specialized disability surveys

• Other household surveys

• Health examination surveys

Each of these data sources can identify all or only some of the population groups relevant for studying disability


Slide 9

Population Census

No history in Central Asia in the collection of disability data through the census

BUT

Long tradition in other parts of the world


Slide 10

Population Census

Source: Archives of the 1811 Census, General Register Office of Scotland


Slide 11

Population Census

Source: Archives of the 1811 Census, General Register Office of Scotland


Slide 12

Population Census

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Slide 13

Population Census

Advantages

Provide data for small areas and small population groups

Data are not affected by sampling errors Comparison between persons with and without

disabilities can be done for education, employment and other relevant characteristics collected in the census


Slide 14

Population CensusLimitations

Only short/simple questions can be included therefore it can identify only one population group relevant for disability (one ICF domain)

Only basic socio-demographic characteristics for people with disability can be collected

Often institutionalized population are covered only through a short questionnaire

It is very costly Extend use of proxy Disability has low priority – limited training Data only every 10 years


Slide 15

Population Census


Slide 16

Population Census

Countries with similar statistical systems existing in Central Asia used the census to collect data on disability:

Bulgaria Estonia Hungary Lithuania Poland


Slide 17

Population Census

Why is it used in many countries to collect disability data?

For some countries it is the ONLY source of information

For some countries it is a complementary source to provide disability data for small areas/population groups


Slide 18

Population Census

Disability is a non-core topic in the Conference of European Statisticians Recommendations Recommendations for the 2010 Census Round


Slide 19

Population Census

In very few countries it is used to screen for a follow-up specialized survey (Canada)


Slide 20

Household Surveys

Specialized disability surveys Other surveys (disability modules)

Health Interview Survey Living Standard Measurement Survey Labour Force Surveys, Victimization

surveys Multi-purpose surveys

Examination surveys


Slide 21

Household Surveys

Source: Tajikistan LSMS 2003


Slide 22

Household Surveys

Source: Kyrgyzstan LSMS 1993


Slide 23

Household Surveys

Source: Kyrgyzstan LSMS 1998


Slide 24

Household Surveys

Advantages

Greater flexibility in the depth and range of topics

Greater flexibility in designing a proper module to identify persons with disabilities

If existing in the statistical plan, they are easier to use by including a disability module

Greater control over the conditions of observation and the interview, better training


Slide 25

Household Surveys

Limitations

Limited ability to analyze prevalence rates for local areas/small population groups

Often populations in unusual circumstances, such as institutionalized persons, homeless, refugees or nomadic populations, are not covered

Greater control over the conditions of observation and the interview, better training


Slide 26

Household Surveys

Potentially, specialized disability surveys are the most comprehensive tools to describe the disability process since they can implement the most extensive modules. They can identify the disability experience according to all the ICF domains and they can collect the most extensive set of information on the persons with disabilities

On-going surveys (like censuses) have the advantage of providing information to compare people with and without disabilities but have the disadvantage of employing short measures/questions and therefore limiting the identification of persons with disabilities to one domain


Slide 27

Household Surveys

However, the group of persons with disabilities that can be identified depends on the instrument/questions used more than on the source

Bad/narrow questions used in specialized disability surveys identify a narrow process of disability

A good instrument/module included in the census can identify the population with disabilities which goes beyond the people in need for social security and can address relevant policy questions such as the equalization of opportunities


Slide 28

Disability prevalence rates by data collection methods Source: DISTAT

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Slide 29

Household Surveys

Health surveys are also a good source of disability data

Could they be potentially used in Central Asia to improve the disability data currently available?

Documents

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division Sources of Disability Data Angela Me, Chief Social and Demographic Statistics Section