Project Description

The Individual Development Account (IDA) Pilot Project for People with Disabilities aims to increase opportunities for disabled individuals to participate in IDA programs through the provision of technical assistance and training to IDA providers. The project will yield insight on how to best maximize participation in IDAs by people with disabilities and will provide best practice strategies to modify national IDA programs. The project consists of four main activities including, conducting focus groups with participants, forming an advisory committee, revising IDA intake forms to ask questions on disability, and providing disability related training for IDA providers.

Focus Group Concept

On March 20th and 21st IDA participants were gathered in focus groups to present their views on improving service delivery to disabled participants. While not all of the focus group members had disabilities, all who participated in the discussion had ideas to share. Focus group participants shared their views both through open discussion as well as in a written exit evaluation.

Do IDA participants have disabilities?

While there is no current research method to assess the current participation rate of people with disabilities in IDA programs, it is clear that some participants do have disabilities. Of the focus group participants, disabilities included multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, depression, back pain, carpal tunnel and significant problems with vision. To fully assess the number of IDA participants with disabilities the current demo- graphic intake form used by IDA providers will need to be revised to ask questions about disability and accommodation. This project aims to take on that endeavor.

What types of accommodation did the focus group participants say they needed in order to succeed in the program?

IDA participants clearly need services and accommodation in order to succeed in IDA programs.

The focus group participants specifically requested the following accommodations:

• stepstool with chair to support lower back
• large print materials
• quiet setting for meetings to enable concentration
• wrist braces for writing notes
• meeting reminders
• one-on-one help with materials to assist with learning
• comfortable chairs
• 5-10 minute break during meetings
• give extra help to those who may have to miss a meeting

How do IDA participants feel about asking for accommodation?

Generally speaking, most participants felt that since they were given the opportunity to participate in the IDA program that they did not want to rock the boat by asking for special services that they need. Therefore, even though many participants needed some type of special service, they kept their needs quiet. One participant said that her pride would get in the way of asking for help. Another felt that requesting accommodations could jeopardize her standing in the program. By the end of the discussion, all focus group participants saw the value in broaching any requests for special accommodations with their contact person at the IDA program and to creatively find ways to meet these special needs in order to succeed in the program. In addition, everyone felt comfortable with an intake form that would assess disability and accommodation needs; in fact, this was preferred to the individual having make the request independently.

Final thoughts on how to improve IDA programs for people with disabilities

Focus group participants shared their views for improving IDA program service in the exit evaluation.

Some suggestions for improving IDA program services to people with disabilities included:

• List types of accommodation on the intake form so that people who are shy won't think that what they need is unexpected
• Provide 5-10 minute breaks during meetings
• Let participants know that there are people who care and want to help make things more comfortable for them
• Give exceptions for people who can't come to a meeting
• Just make it comfortable for people talk about
• Do a survey of how many people will need what accommodations and then deliver
• Provide one-on-one assistance if need be

If you have questions about the project, please contact the Access to Assets program.