Survey methods that enhance participation among people with disabilities

Rare populations, such as people with disabilities, have been poorly represented in surveys. Research has shown that common probability sampling methods for recruitment of participants to surveys often fail to include people with disabilities. Also, that using one single “disability status” as proxy for all conditions that cause disability, restrains disaggregation into disability sub-groups. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an adaptive snowball sampling method for recruitment of participants with disabilities and of data collection in a survey entailing thoroughly elaborated survey questions in regard to accessibility, and to describe effects on response rates and the samples’ representativeness of the entire disability populations. Methods A survey mirroring concept was used to compare a nationwide survey on internet use which applied probability sampling method, with a modified survey applying adaptive snowball sampling of people with disabilities. Questions from the mirrored survey was elaborated to increase accessibility for the target populations. Multiple channels for data collection: online, paper and telephone or face-to-face interview, were used. Results In total 771 persons participated, representing all 35 target populations. A majority responded by the online questionnaire and 57 responded by interviews. Missing response to single questions was 2.5– 6%. Conclusions Adaptive snowball sampling method was feasible to reach people with a wide range of disabilities. A modified survey targeting accessibility issues was feasible to enable participation by all target populations. The survey mirroring concept and adaptive sampling methods are suggested favourable to achieve representation of disability populations in surveys.QC 20191021