Thursday 14 June 2012
Disabled people and carers will get a chance to have their voices heard in the second stage of the island-wide Disability Survey.
This is a follow-up to the Health, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey, which was sent to one quarter of island households during March. Researchers will be in Guernsey and Alderney during June and July to interview volunteers.
Deputy John Gollop, the recently-elected States' Champion for Disabled People, said:
"The first stage of the survey went out to everyone but now the researchers are just going to focus on the experience of disabled people and carers. It's really important that they speak to a wide variety of disabled people and carers, of all different ages and backgrounds."
The results of the survey will be used in the Disability and Inclusion Strategy.
Deputy Gollop said:
"We know some of the key issues people face, but this part of the survey will allow disabled people and carers to tell us in more detail about their experiences. This will help us to understand how many people are affected by discrimination, or poor employment opportunities, or a lack of support to live independently - and if different people are affected in different ways. This information will let us properly consider options to tackle the issues appropriately."
6,500 Health, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Surveys were sent out in the spring, and more than 2,000 replies were received - a response rate of 30%. More than 300 disabled people and carers have already volunteered to be interviewed following the first part of the survey.
"If you did not receive the first survey you can still participate in this survey, if you are a disabled person - and that includes people with physical impairments or communication difficulties, mental health issues or long-term illnesses - or a carer. Researchers are looking to recruit another 200 people."
Interviews can be done in the volunteer's home or somewhere they feel comfortable, or they can be done over the phone. They should normally last 30 to 45 minutes. Interviewees can do the interviews alone, or with a carer, supporter or interpreter present.
Anyone interested in completing this survey can contact Jenna Allen at BMG Research direct on Jenna.Allen@bmgresearch.co.uk or phone 0121 333 6006 or Emilie Yerby at the Health and Social Services Department locally on eyerby@hssd.gov.gg or phone 725241 ext 4157.
The results of the full survey are expected at the end of the summer.
Further information on the survey
The Disability Survey is split into 2 stages.
Stage 1: Health Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey
- Sent to 6,500 households in Guernsey and Alderney on random basis in March / April 2012.
- Response rate 30% with over 2,000 replies received.
- Report on results will be part of final survey report due at the end of the summer.
Stage 2: Disability Survey and Carers Survey
- Face-to-face interviews with disabled people and with carers.
- Number of participants:
- 500 disabled people
- 100 carers
- To be undertaken in June / July 2012
- Report on results will be part of final survey report due at the end of the summer.
Contact Information
To arrange interviews and for further information locally please contact:
Emilie Yerby, Disability and Equalities Officer
Tel: 01481 725 241 (ext 4157)
E-mail: eyerby@hssd.gov.gg
Any enquiries regarding the research company BMG please contact:
Dawn Hands, Managing Director, BMG Research
Tel: 0121 333 6006
E-mail: dawn.hands@bmgresearch.co.uk
