Disability advocacy by the numbers: Data Integrity Supplementary Report
This supplementary report to Disability Advocacy by the Numbers:Statistics from July 2012 to June 2016 outlines some of the data integrity issues DARU encountered in compiling the report. It should be read in conjunction with the main report.
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© 2017 Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
This publication is copyright. Apart from fair dealings as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, non profit organisations have permission to reproduce part of the book not exceeding 10% of any section as long as credit is given to DARU and no charge is made by any such organisation with respect to any use made of the material.
Executive Summary
This supplementary report to Disability Advocacy by the Numbers outlines some of the data integrity issues DARU encountered in compiling the report. It should be read in conjunction with the main report.
DARU has provided this supplementary report specifically to inform both administrators and funded agencies of the Victorian Disability Advocacy Program of the nature of these data integrity difficulties, and help suggest improvements to data collection that may avoid these problems in the future.
This report is published at a time when the Victorian Disability Advocacy Program has recently been reviewed, and the Victorian government had made specific commitments to improving the administration and management of the program, including:
- more effective measurement of demand and outcomes
- building stronger links with other safeguarding mechanisms, and
- simplifying administrative requirements for funded organisations.
DARU has identified a number of areas where data collection can be improved, including
- Clearly understanding the purpose of collecting data and what it will be used for
- Providing clearer data requests that reduce confusion and misinterpretation
- Avoiding asking for the same information multiple times
- Improving data integrity and consistency of reporting.
DARU looks forward to working with the Office for Disability and funded disability advocacy organisations to discuss these issues and help improve measurement and data collection in the future.
Acronyms
DARU – Disability Advocacy Resource Unit
DAV – Disability Advocacy Victoria
DHHS – Department of Health and Human Services
NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme
QDC – Quarterly Data Collection
VCOSS – Victorian Council of Social Services
Printing instructions
This report is 24 pages and should be printed as a booklet in full auto colour for best effect using the downloads provided below. To arrange free delivery of professionally printed copies, Contact DARU on 9639 5807.
Download report (PDF)