Assessment Tool Evaluation Criteria

Posted 04/28/08

Prior to the selection of an assessment tool, the ministry set out the following objective criteria to examine a variety of instruments:

• Provides a reliable and valid assessment of the needs, strengths and preferences of adults who have a developmental disability
• Captures objective information on key aspects of life related to community living for adults with a developmental disability
• Collects information that has sufficient structure and uniformity to support a number of applications: personalized support planning, individual outcome measurement, individualized budgeting, direct funding, system (case-mix) funding, community planning, performance monitoring, quality assurance
• Permits international and cross-sectoral comparisons/validation, including identification of behavioural, medical and emotional trouble spots that can be systematically tracked and addressed through the appropriate referrals/professionals before they become a crisis
• Is completed by trained staff with input from those with first-hand knowledge of the individual (e.g., family members, circle of support, support workers), including the individual her/himself
• Can be completed within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 1-1.5 hours per individual)
• Supports computerization
• Supports prioritization of individuals relative to peers and within context of resource availability
• Can be administered at reasonable cost (e.g., licensing fees)

The following were considered additional assets that could be considered:

• Designed and tested with Canadian populations
• Provides an opportunity to invest in Ontario-based research, expertise and professional training relevant to the sector
• Additional refinement possible to respond to individual, family, agency and community experiences during piloting
• Compatibility with other existing assessment systems (e.g., tools mandated for use in segments of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
• Available in French

interRAI-ID was the only assessment instrument to meet all of the above criteria and additional assets.