THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: IMPLEMENTATION OF A PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH APPROACH

This article describes a pioneering evaluation of services for people with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) in Israel based on the principles of the participatory action research approach. This approach was carried out in an organization that provides housing, employment, and leisure services to people with IDD in Beer Sheva. The aim of the evaluation was to examine the tenants' level of satisfaction with the services received. Participants in the evaluation included 46 tenants and 20 staff members. The evaluation tool focused on the quality of their lives in general as well as on specific domains. Furthermore, the caregiving staff's perceptions of their own quality of life (QOL) and that of the tenants were examined. The evaluation tool used to assess the tenants' quality of life was based on Schalock & Keith's (1993) model, which underwent adaptations and changes by focus groups of the tenants. The tenants took an active part in the evaluation process, from the stage of adapting the tool through interpretation of the findings. The level of QOL was generally rated high by the tenants, though the "control/independence" domain received low scores. The findings indicated significant differences between the tenants' reports and those of the staff relating to their perceptions of the components of QOL and their prioritization. In addition, when dividing the tenants into groups according to level of functioning and support required, differences were found in the perceptions of the components of QOL and their rank order. The main finding showed a tendency among the higher functioning tenants to display less satisfaction with the level of independence in their lives.