2001 Developmental Disabilities Assessment

APPENDIX F: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In collaboration with the Community Action Network (CAN), the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center's Local Planning Department, and the Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Planning Partnership worked with the CAN Assessment & Planning Committee to create a process for the ongoing Community Assessment. As suggested by the CAN Resource Council, the Assessment should be a report on community conditions and needs that is:

• BALANCED: INCLUDES DIVERSITY OF INPUT
  
• ACCURATE: BASED UPON DATA THAT IS CURRENT AND APPROPRIATE
  
• USEFUL: HELPFUL IN MAKING DECISIONS
  
• ACCESSIBLE: CLEARLY WRITTEN, READILY UNDERSTANDABLE AND EASILY AVAILABLE

These criteria guided the research process and methodology. Input was sought from a wide range of stakeholders to achieve balance as well as to produce a useful document. Additionally, Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities needs data, information and general advice was sought from service providers to ensure accuracy and balance. The draft documents were circulated for editing and comments to produce an accurate and accessible document for the community. The finalized document will be accessible in a printed format and on several web sites. Furthermore, an evaluation form is included with each Assessment in order to provide ideas for enhancing future versions. In summary:

1. Guidance and assistance was obtained from:
2. Community presentations about process and content were made to:
3. Literature reviews and general research were conducted by:
   • Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center's Local Planning Department
   • Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Planning Partnership
4. Input from community members was achieved through:

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