IM4Q Data: Examples

The IM4Q team conducts an annual survey which collects data on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving services from the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania (ODP). IM4Q is the abbreviation we use for the Independent Monitoring for Quality program in Pennsylvania.

The project is informed by people with disabilities, and the survey teams always include at least one person with a disability or a family member. Each year, about 5,500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in the surveys. They answer questions about their thoughts and perceptions of their life circumstances in many areas, such as satisfaction; dignity, respect, and rights; choice and control; inclusion; and family, friend, and guardian experiences.

More about IM4Q Annual Surveys

Satisfaction

Satisfaction questions are about how much they like or dislike their life on topics such as their work, the place they live, and the people they spend time with.

Dignity, Respect, and Rights

Dignity, Respect, and Rights questions explore how they are treated and whether they do things anyone else could do, like have a key to their home, carry ID, and vote.

Choice and Control

Choice and Control questions explore how much control people have in their lives, like if they can choose their own schedules, budgets, work and home.

Inclusion

Inclusion questions focus on how people with disabilities are getting out into the community, to eat in restaurants, go on vacation, seek entertainment, and visit others.

Family, Friend, and Guardian

In some cases, the people interviewed give permission for their family members to be interviewed, also. These responses are shared in the Family, Friend, and Guardian portion of the survey.

The items you see on social media and listed here are just a few of the things we have learned about the lives of people with disabilities by conducting the annual IM4Q survey. These points are important because they provide a snapshot into the lives of people in Pennsylvania who have disabilities and receive services. Importantly, IM4Q is not just about people with disabilities, it is research done with people with disabilities and their families, prioritizing the voices of those with lived experience of disability in our community.

IM4Q Learned...

Jump to the text-only data examples.

47% of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania have a key to get into their home.

15% of people with disabilities in PA say their mail is sometimes or always opened without their permission.

41% of people with disabilities have and use a cell phone.

In PA, people with disabilties want to belong. 37% say they would like to be a part of more groups in their communities.

In PA, 62% of people with disabilities have and use the Internet, compared to 79% in the general population.

32% of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania want to go out more often for entertainment.

In PA, 40% of people with disabilities who don't have a job would like to have a job for pay.

37% of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania say Community Employment is a goal in their plan.

IM4Q Learned... (text-only)

... 47% of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania have a key to get into their home.
... 15% of people with disabilities say their mail is sometimes or always opened without their permission.
... 41% of people with disabilities have and use a cell phone.
... people with disabilities want to belong. 37% say they would like to be a part of more groups in their communities.
... 62% of people with disabilities have and use the Internet, compared to 79% in the general population.
... 32% of people with disabilities in PA want to go out more often for entertainment.
... in Pennsylvania, 40% of people with disabilities who don’t have a job would like to have a job for pay.
... 37% of people with disabilities in PA say Community Employment is a goal in their plan.

More Information

We hope that these facts prompt thought, discussion, and action to support equity for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. For more information about IM4Q and to learn more about the experiences of people in the project, see the Institute on Disabilities' IM4Q webpage.

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Institute on Disabilities