Personal Outcomes as Measures of Quality

Abstract

The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People With Disabilities (The Council), formerly known as The Accreditation Council, altered its definition of quality from "compliance with organizational process" to "responsiveness to people." Council representatives conducted focus group and individual meetings with people who have disabilities to identify priority outcomes they expect from services and supports. The 1993 Outcome Based Performance Measures was used in 447 interviews as part of 54 accreditation reviews. Staff analysis and factor analysis of the outcome interviews using a principle components extraction and varimax rotation resulted in 24 variables loading onto seven major factors (Identity, Autonomy, Affiliation, Attainment, Rights, Health, and Safeguards), which form the basis of The Council 1997 Personal Outcome Measures.