Miami Inclusion 
Alliance 

 

 

Miami, Florida 

 

 

NEEDS ASSESSMENT PLAN 

 

 

OVW-DOJ GRANT 

PROJECT NUMBER: 2015-FW-AX-K001 

 


 

 

Table of Contents 

 
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 4 
Needs Assessment Purpose ................................................................................ 6 
Needs Assessment Goals .................................................................................... 6 
Methods and Information Sources ..................................................................... 6 
Recruitment Plan ................................................................................................. 18 
Recruitment Methods ....................................................................................... 18 
Recruitment Process ......................................................................................... 19 
Recruitment Tools ............................................................................................ 20 
Recruitment Training ........................................................................................ 21 
Compensation................................................................................................... 22 
Consent Process ................................................................................................ 22 
Confidentiality Process ..................................................................................... 23 
Mandatory Reporting ....................................................................................... 25 
Accessibility Considerations .............................................................................. 25 
Safety Considerations ....................................................................................... 26 
Work Plan Outline ............................................................................................. 29 
Appendix .............................................................................................................. 30 
Checklist for Recruitment Session ..................................................................... 31 
Training for Recruiters ...................................................................................... 32 
Recruitment Speech-Persons with Disabilities and Victims/Survivors ............... 38 
Recruitment Speech-Persons with Disabilities ID/DD........................................ 45 
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................. 50 
RSVP Form ........................................................................................................ 53 
Accommodations Request Form ....................................................................... 54 
Reminder Cards ................................................................................................ 55 
Checklist for Focus Groups ................................................................................ 56 
Gift Card Tracker Form...................................................................................... 57 
Gift Card Disbursement Log .............................................................................. 58 
Facilitator Script for Victims/Survivors of DV/SA and Persons with Disabilities 
Focus Group ...................................................................................................... 59 
Facilitator Script for Persons with Disabilities ID/DD Focus Group .................... 63 
Focus Group Questions for Persons with Disabilities ........................................ 67 
Focus Group Questions for Sexual Assault ........................................................ 71 
Focus Group Questions for Domestic Violence ................................................. 75 
Interview Questions for Executive Director ...................................................... 79 
Interview Questions for Management .............................................................. 83 
Interview Questions for Staff ............................................................................ 88 
Focus Group and Interview Debriefing Template .............................................. 93 


 

 


Introduction 

 The Miami Inclusion Alliance is made up of four organizations located 
in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Disability Independence Group, Inc. (DIG) 
is a nonprofit disability rights legal advocacy center with a mission to expand 
opportunities for participation, education, employment and acceptance of 
persons with disabilities. Mujeres Unidas en Justicia, Educacion, y Reforma, 
Inc. (MUJER) is a certified sexual assault center that provides domestic 
violence and sexual assault education, direct response and support services. 
Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department, 
Coordinated Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) is a one-stop center that 
provides holistic and coordinated services to victims of domestic violence, 
sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. Dade Legal 
Aid (Legal Aid) is a civil legal services provider with a dedicated domestic 
violence unit. This Collaboration applied for and received the Office on 
Violence Against Women grant funding in 2015, enabling the work of this 
Collaboration to commence. Our focus is to build capacity in each of our 
organizations enabling us to better serve persons with disabilities who are 
victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. 

DIG was founded in 2002, and has two major components. The first is 
legal advocacy in a wide range of areas of the law including Americans with 
Disabilities Act enforcement, Civil Rights, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation 
Act, Fair Housing and educational rights. The second is training for persons 
with disabilities, parents, caregivers, court systems, attorneys and 
government officials both locally and nationally about their legal rights. DIG 
advocates throughout the state and the nation. DIG serves all disabilities and 
will bring that expertise to this Collaboration. 

MUJER is a certified sexual assault and victimÕs services organization. 
It is community based and provides an immediate, direct response to reports 
of sexual violence. They provide direct and comprehensive services to 
victims/survivors that include safety planning, therapy, counseling, group 
therapy, support groups and emergency financial services. MUJER serves 


both victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and will bring 
their expertise in both these areas to the Collaboration. 

CVAC is a unit of local government that is the only one-stop facility in 
the County providing a wide array of services for victims/survivors of 
domestic violence and sexual assault and their families. CVAC is the central 
intake office for victims seeking temporary restraining orders for protection 
and each year serves over 2500 victims and their children. The one- stop 
houses 38 different domestic violence and sexual assault partners. Partner 
agencies offer an array of services including legal assistance, employment 
services, relocation assistance, transportation vouchers, direct relief, 
parenting, financial literacy classes counseling and referrals. CVAC will bring 
its expertise in domestic violence and sexual assault to the Collaboration. 

Legal Aid provides free legal services to poor individuals in the areas 
of family law, guardianship, and housing and with a special unit for victims of 
domestic violence. Legal Aid has offices throughout Miami Dade County in 
order to serve populations that may be geographically and culturally isolated. 
Legal Aid has expertise in domestic violence and will bring that expertise to 
the Collaboration. 

As of mid-September, 2016, the Collaboration has completed the 
Collaboration Charter and Statement of Focus, and is currently working on 
the Needs Assessment Plan. The findings of the needs assessment will be 
utilized in the creation of the Strategic Plan, which in turn will be used to 
create sustainable change within all four agencies and ultimately improve 
services to persons with disabilities who are experiencing domestic violence 
and sexual abuse in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 

The overall vision and mission of the Miami Inclusion Alliance is to 
create sustainable, systemic change in the way we deliver services to 
victims/survivors with disabilities, allowing the individual to make informed, 
self-directed decisions. We will develop and implement policies and 
procedures which are trauma-informed and person centered. We will foster 
collaboration between our agencies, and ensure that staff, volunteers and 


providers will be informed and knowledgeable, with access to resources and 
supports. 

Needs Assessment Purpose 

The overarching purpose of the Needs Assessment, as described by 
the Office on Violence Against Women is to: 

. Provide practical information about services for survivors with 
disabilities, and how to improve them. 
. Identify our selection of implementation activities. 
. Increase buy-in and support for our CollaborationÕs work from our 
respective organizations. 


Needs Assessment Goals 

. Identify current organizational structures, barriers, and gaps with 
regard to policies, procedures, and practices at DIG, MUJER, 
CVAC and Legal Aid that address how to respond to, serve, and 
support victims/survivors with disabilities. 
. Identify what supports and limits exist in each organizationÕs 
culture; to respond to and address staffÕs ability to provide a safe, 
accessible and responsive service delivery system for 
victims/survivors with disabilities. 
. Identify current attitudes, knowledge, skills and comfort of 
professionals at every level of the agencies regarding responding 
to and providing services to victims/survivors with disabilities. 
. Identify what works and what barriers exist in each agency to 
ensure accessibility, safety, and responsiveness through the lens 
of survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and 
persons with disabilities. 


Methods and Information Sources 

A. Existing Data 



 The Miami Inclusion Alliance is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 
and is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women. The goal of the 
Collaboration is to improve services for individuals with disabilities who are 
victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. All four 
collaborating agencies are aware that persons with disabilities experience 
abuse in far greater numbers than those of their peers who do not have 
disabilities. We are also learning about the complexities of working with each 
otherÕs populations, and acknowledge the importance of working together to 
improve our delivery of service. 

In June of 2016, three of the four Collaborative Partners completed the 
Performance Indicators developed by the Vera Institute, to obtain a baseline 
of where each agency stood in regard to the provision of safe, accessible 
services, with policies that consider all of the aspects of service delivery to 
this population. The fourth partner, Legal Aid did not complete the indicators 
as it is a legal services organization and indicator questions have not been 
developed for that type of agency yet. As expected, all three agencies 
achieved low scores. The Performance Indicators will be repeated in the 
winter of 2016, and compared to the June scores. We will repeat the 
indicators every six months, and use our outcomes to assist in our agenciesÕ 
improvements during strategic planning. 

 

 

IndicatorsTheme 1Theme 2Theme 3Theme 4Theme 5Theme 6DIGResponsibilityPartnershipsPoliciesMaterial 
ResourcesHuman 
ResourcesProceduresJun-1620.83%58.33%20.00%0.00%25.00%0.00%
Overall Score 

Commitment 

Capacity 

Total 

DIG 

 

 

 

Jun-16 

35.29% 

7.14% 

22.58% 



 


 

IndicatorsTheme 1Theme 2Theme 3Theme 4Theme 5Theme 6Theme 7MUJERResponsibilityPartnershipsPoliciesMaterial 
ResourcesHuman 
ResourcesProceduresSV Program 
ResourcesJun-1633.33%35.00%50.00% 
(non-res)
25.00%5.00%0.00%12.50% 


Overall ScoreCommitmentCapacityTotalMUJERJun-16Non-Residential39.06%10.71%22.97% 


IndicatorsTheme 1Theme 2Theme 3Theme 4Theme 5Theme 6Theme 7CVACResponsibilityPartnershipsPoliciesMaterial 
ResourcesHuman 
ResourcesProceduresSV Program 
ResourcesJun-1637.50%40.00%45.00% 
(non-res)
35.00%15.00%5.00%8.33% 


Overall ScoreCommitmentCapacityTotalCVACJun-16Non-Residential40.63%15.48%26.35%
B. New Data 

 Overview of Method: 

 The Miami Inclusion Alliance will use focus groups to gather 
information from victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, 
and people with disabilities. The Collaboration feels the focus group is the 
most efficient way to effectively engage groups of individuals in a short period 
of time. Additionally, we believe that a focus group will help to generate a 
diverse range of ideas and perspectives. However, if an individual wants to 
provide input, but doesnÕt feel comfortable in a group setting, we will arrange 
for a private interview with that individual. We expect to conduct at least one 
focus group in Spanish and will have all materials translated into Spanish 
and use a bilingual facilitator and notetaker. 

During the needs assessment process, we will focus on the clients of 
DIG, MUJER, and CVAC. This will allow us to talk to victims/survivors of 


domestic violence, sexual assault and persons with disabilities. Since Legal 
Aid is a nonprofit legal services provider and there is not indicators 
developed for a legal organization, they will conduct their needs assessment 
using interviews with the Executive Director and agency staff. Based on 
what we learn during the Needs Assessment, we may decide to narrow our 
focus during strategic planning. 

 DIG will speak to persons with disabilities that are clients of DIG and/or 
are participants in DIG trainings and projects. DIG will reach out individually 
to former and current clients for their participation. Because DIG is a small 
disabilities rights organization without a large client base it will also reach out 
to local disability organizations for more participants, if necessary. DIG will 
only engage persons with disabilities who are their own guardian and/or can 
consent to participate in the needs assessment process themselves. 

MUJER will speak to victims/survivors who are receiving or have 
received services from their certified rape crisis center. The center serves 
more than 300 clients per year and each client is assigned a sexual violence 
data registry number (SVDR). MUJER will use this SVDR number to identify 
potential participants for the focus groups. In person recruiting will be the 
preferred method and use of phone calls is a possibility but only to clients 
that it knows can be contacted safely. Phone calls will be made only to clients 
that MUJER has an ongoing relationship with and current information 
indicating that such contact is safe. ClientÕs interest will be gauged and if 
interested they will be invited to a focus group. They will have diverse group 
of current and former clients participating. 

CVAC plans to recruit victims of domestic violence from their existing 
client list, including those who are still actively participating in groups and/or 
receiving services at the Center, and any new clients who are not currently 
involved in an abusive situation as stipulated in section D- Recruitment of 
Needs Assessment Plan. We believe working with this group will also offer 
useful information when planning for systemic change and improvement of 
access and services. CVAC serves more than 3,500 clients per year. 


Legal Aid will be engaging the Executive Director, Management and 
Supervisors and Direct Service Staff through the use of interview questions. 
The Executive Director has overall organizational oversight, a broad 
understanding of the community and the workings of the organization and 
has decision making authority over strategic planning. The Management and 
Supervisors have a broad understanding of the community, the workings of 
the organization and will be able to participate in decision making within the 
organization with the Executive Director. The Direct Service Staff also will 
have an understanding of the community. 

Audience: 

1. Persons with disabilities: 


 

We believe that persons with disabilities are the experts of their own 
experiences and have the power to represent their own needs and 
expectations. As a result, it is imperative to ask them directly what their 
personal expectations are when receiving services so that we may make 
our agencies more comfortable, accessible and disability aware. 
Because the strategic plan will ultimately influence the way services and 
supports are provided, it is imperative that we ask the individuals who will 
be most impacted by our systems changes. 

 By engaging people with a cross-section of disabilities, we hope to gain 
information about the following: 

 

. What makes a service provider accessible and comfortable for 
people with disabilities; 
. What are the best methods of outreach to alert people with disabilities 
about accessible and disability-informed services; 
. What are the best practices for serving people with disabilities 
(including staff behavior, knowledge and skills); 


 

2. Victims/survivors of sexual assault: 



 

We believe that victims/survivors of sexual assault are the experts of their 
own experiences and have the power to represent their own needs and 
expectations. As a result, it is imperative to ask them directly what their 
personal expectations are when receiving services so that we may make 
our agencies safer and more trauma-informed. Because the strategic 
plan will ultimately influence the way services and supports are provided, 
it is imperative that we ask the individuals who will be most impacted by 
our systems changes. 

 

By engaging victims/survivors of sexual assault we hope to gain information 
about the following: 

 

. How organizations can communicate that they are a welcoming and 
safe place for victims/survivors to disclose or report their experiences 
of sexual assault; 
. What makes service providers approachable, safe, and comfortable; 
. What are the possible barriers to services; 
. What are the best methods of outreach to alert victims/survivors of 
services; 
. What is the importance and value of confidentiality as a safety tool; 
. What are the best practices for serving victims/survivors (including 
staff behavior, knowledge and skills); and 
. What impact does trauma have on someoneÕs approach to seeking 
services? 


 

3. Victims/survivors of domestic violence: 


 

We believe that victims/survivors of domestic violence are the experts of 
their own experiences and have the power to represent their own needs 
and expectations, and will be able to tell us how to make the responses 
and services they get from staff of the Collaboration Partners more 


welcoming, comfortable, and safe for victims/survivors of domestic 
violence. Because the strategic plan will ultimately influence the way 
services and supports are provided, it is critical that we ask the individuals 
who will be most impacted by our systems changes. 

 

By engaging victims/survivors of domestic violence we hope to gain 
information about the following: 

 

. How organizations can communicate that they are a welcoming and 
safe place for victims/survivors to disclose or report their experiences 
of domestic violence; 
. What makes service providers approachable, safe, and comfortable; 
. What are the possible barriers to services; 
. What are the best methods of outreach to alert victims/survivors of 
services; 
. What is the importance and value of confidentiality as a safety tool; 
. What are the best practices for serving victims/survivors (including 
staff behavior, knowledge and skills); and 
. What impact does trauma have on someoneÕs approach to seeking 
services? 


 

4. Legal Aid Staff: 


 

Legal Aid will not be conducting focus groups with clients that are 
victim/survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault nor with persons with 
disabilities. They instead will be conducting interviews with staff. This will 
include an interview with the Executive Director to gain information about 
the current culture of Legal Aid at the intersection of abuse and disability, 
policies and procedures, level of commitment to increasing organizational 
capacity and effective ways to create change. Management and 
supervisors will be asked their perspectives on the ability of staff to 
respond to and provide services to victims who are persons with 


disabilities, what existing policies assist in this effort and what they need 
to be better able to provide such services. Direct service staff will be to 
gain information on the current culture in the agency, their concerns and 
perspectives, trainings, policies and resources that currently exist and 
what they will need to assist victims/survivors at the intersection. 

 

 

Audience Type 

Number of Potential 
Groups/Participants 
per Group 

From What 
Organization 

Persons with 
Disabilities 

 

2/ 6 to 10 

DIG 

Sexual Assault 
victims/survivors 

 

2/ 6 to 10 

MUJER 

Domestic Violence 
victims/survivors 

2/ 6 to 10 

CVAC 

Legal Aid Staff 
and Executive 
Director 

11 

Legal Aid 



 

C. Focus Groups /Interview Procedure 


 

1. Focus Groups and interviews will involve a moderated discussion using 
open-ended questions, unique for each audience, based on the goals of 
that particular group. 


 

2. DIG will conduct two focus groups with persons with disabilities. DIG will 
identify an outside facilitator who is both expert in working with persons 
with disabilities and conducting focus groups. Those conducting focus 
groups and interviews will not be from the same agency as the focus 
group participants. MUJER and CVAC will each hold two focus groups. 
MUJER with sexual assault victims/survivors and CVAC with 
victims/survivors of domestic violence. We have chosen to use an outside 
facilitator, Dr. Maria Elena Villar who is an expert on issues of domestic 



violence and sexual assault in our community and has vast experience in 
conducting focus groups. 


 

3. Each focus group will utilize a facilitator, a notetaker, a floater, and a 
counselor/advocate. 


 

4. If an interview is requested instead of the focus group, there will be a 
facilitator and notetaker present. There will be a counselor available if 
needed. 


 

5. Legal Aid will conduct interviews with 11 staff members including the 
Executive Director, 2 intake staff, 7 domestic violence 
attorneys/paralegals and 2 family law attorneys. The interviews will be 
conducted by Collaborative Partner Susan Rubio Rivera, the Executive, 
Director of MUJER. All management and staff will be assured that 
participation is optional and their decision whether or not to participate will 
not impact their employment. 


 

6. A listing of local community resources will be available at all focus groups 
or interviews should any participant need information on where to obtain 
support. 


 

7. At the beginning of each focus group, the following will be explained: 
. Passive consent and voluntary participation 
. The purpose of the focus group and that participants are being 
called upon as experts to assist us. 
. Confidentiality and exceptions to confidentiality, including 
mandatory reporting requirements. 






 

8. For all focus groups, there will be the availability of an on-site counselor 
in case participants would like emotional support during or just following 
the focus group. 


 

D. Roles of those Conducting Focus Groups and Interviews: 


 The following is a list of those conducting focus groups and interviews, 
and a description of each role. All participants filling these roles will 


participate in a brief training that includes; an overview of the grant and 
needs assessment process, the role and expectations, training on specific 
requirements of the role and how to manage special circumstances, safety, 
confidentiality, reporting requirements and accommodations. 

 Facilitator 

1. The facilitator of the focus groups for persons with disabilities will be a 
professional that DIG will identify who is both expert in working with 
persons with disabilities and conducting focus groups. 


 

2. MUJER and CVAC have chosen to use an outside facilitator, Dr. Maria 
Elena Villar who is both an expert in issues of domestic violence and 
sexual assault in our community. She has vast experience in conducting 
focus groups. MUJER and CVAC will each hold two focus groups. 


 

3. Legal Aid will conduct interviews with the Executive Director, 
management staff and direct services staff using Collaborative Partner 
Susan Rubio Rivera. Ms. Rivera is an experienced facilitator with vast 
knowledge in nonprofits and domestic violence and sexual assault. She 
will conduct three groups of interviews. 


 

The facilitator will: 

. Will conduct focus groups at DIG, MUJER and CVAC and staff 
interviews at Legal Aid. 
. Welcome participants and introduce the notetaker, and any other 
Collaboration Partners in the room. 
. Make sure everyone is comfortable. 
. Review general housekeeping details, and will address safety and 
confidentiality issues using the script created by the Collaboration, 
prior to getting into the pre-created questions and prompts. 
. Be responsible for insuring that people feel the environment is 
comfortable and safe, and understand that they can leave at any 
time. For all focus groups the facilitator will be responsible for 
keeping track of time. 



Notetaker 

The CollaborationÕs Project Director will be the notetaker at all focus 
groups and interviews, unless they are conducted in Spanish, and then a 
Spanish speaking staff member of a Collaboration Partner will assume the 
duty of note taking. The notetaker will: 

. Objectively take notes of the discussions 
. Not participate in the discussion and will sit in a part of the room that 
will be the least distracting for participants when possible. 
. Document what is said without paraphrasing or identifying 
information and will document when emotions such as frustration, 
anger, or happiness are expressed. The notetaker may ask that 
something be repeated by raising her hand. 
. Not link any information shared to specific participants. 
. Be responsible for insuring that all written information and notes are 
kept in a safe and confidential place 
. At the end of each focus group /interview, the notetaker will facilitate 
a debriefing session with the facilitator, jointly identifying themes, 
significant comments, and new information related to the goals of 
the needs assessment. If the counselor is interested in attending, 
she may also. 


 

Floater (focus groups only) 

The primary responsibilities of the floater is to assist with ensuring the 
facilitator and notetaker have what they need to conduct the meeting, and to 
attend to any comfort and safety requests of the participants. 

The floater will: 

. Assist room set-up and ensure that focus group participants feel 
safe and comfortable. 
. If anyone wants to access the counselor or their own personal care 
attendant, the floater will escort them out of the room. 



. Assist with keeping track of time when not assisting the individual 
participants. 


Counselor/advocate 

A counselor/advocate will be available at all focus groups to provide 
emotional support either during or just after the group session. MUJER and 
CVAC will identify appropriate staff from their agencies to fill this role at their 
focus groups. The counselor/advocate will not participate in the focus 
groups. DIG will identify an appropriate counselor/advocate for the DIG focus 
groups. It will be someone with experience in working with victims/survivors 
of domestic violence/sexual assault. There will not be a counselor/advocate 
for Legal Aid interviews. The counselor/advocate will: 

. Will meet with participants in a safe, separate, private, accessible 
space to insure confidentiality and safety. 
. The disability counselor/advocate will have training in disability 
awareness and services and domestic violence/sexual assault. 
. The MUJER and CVAC counselor/advocate will have training in 
trauma informed service and supporting victims/survivor domestic 
violence/sexual assault. 
. All will have lists of local resources. 


 


Recruitment Plan 

 Recruitment Methods 

The following is an explanation of the method which we will use to 
recruit each group we will be engaging, as well as who will primarily act as 
the recruiter for each group. 

Collaboration Partners, Susan Rubio Rivera (MUJER), and Ana 
Lorenzo-Vega (CVAC) will recruit domestic violence and sexual assault 
victims/survivors from their respective support groups and client lists by 
informing them of the work of the Collaboration and asking if anyone is 
interested in assisting us. This outreach will be done in person and will only 
be done by telephone calls if there is prior information that such contact is 
safe. Those who express interest will then become part of the focus group. 
Collaboration Partner Deborah Dietz from DIG will recruit persons with 
disabilities. We think that having people with whom the participants are 
comfortable will ensure that they are more at ease with a process that is 
unfamiliar. The recruiter will inform them of our need to hear their opinions 
and experiences. The Program Director will be informed of those individuals 
who are interested in participating. Participants for all focus groups will be 
recruited by individual face to face conversations or telephone calls. The 
recruitment materials will include an RSVP form (Appendix ____) that will list 
accommodation options, and invitees will be instructed to complete the form 
and return directly to the recruiter. We want to make sure that each potential 
participant is comfortable with what theyÕre agreeing to do, so the recruiter 
will monitor the RSVP process carefully, and be prepared to provide clarity 
or additional information to anyone who requires it. All invitees will be 
assured that participation is optional and the decision whether or not to 
participate will not impact their service provision in any way. Legal Aid will 
interview the Executive Director, three management staff members and 
direct staff from its domestic violence unit, and intake unit. 


All Collaborative Partners are mandated reporters under Florida law 
and this will be clearly communicated to all potential participants during the 
recruitment process. 

Recruitment Process 

The recruiter will follow the recruitment scripts developed by the 
Collaboration for the targeted audience. The recruiter will: 

. Alert the invitee of the Collaboration PartnersÕ mandated reporter 
status and what that means under Florida law 
. Review the recruitment materials, including RSVP form and 
Frequently Asked Questions 
. Inform participants that all focus groups will be recorded 
. Discuss what compensation they will receive. Legal Aid staff will not 
receive compensation for participation in the interviews. 
. Review date, time and location of the focus groups and if the 
participant requests a reminder, confirm what is the best way to 
contact that person so that there are not any safety concerns. 
. Review accommodation options 
. Confirm whether or not the individual is willing to participate 
. Provide the invitee with an RSVP form and request that they 
complete the form while the recruiter is present. The recruiter will 
go through each section of the RSVP form, explaining what is 
needed and ensuring that the invitees understand what they are 
being asked 
. Offer an individual interview for those who do not want to participate 
in a focus group. If the invitee prefers an individual interview, the 
recruiter will have a list of pre-selected date/time offerings. The 
recruiter will ensure that this date and time is listed on the RSVP 
form 
. Answer any additional questions 



The recruiters are to contact the Project Director by phone or email with 
the responses of invitees. The recruiters will submit the RSVP forms to the 
Project Director two business days prior to the focus group unless there is a 
request for an accommodation. If an accommodation is requested then they 
will notify the Project Director immediately and she will arrange for the 
accommodation. 

 Recruitment Tools 

Recruiters will utilize the following tools during recruitment. For anyone 
needing assistance, the recruiter will read aloud all documents. However, 
given the safety risks inherent in sending recruitment materials home with 
people served, we will not allow any of the materials to leave the premises. 
We will ensure invitees have a clear understanding of expectations prior to 
their leaving the recruiter. 

RSVP Form 

All invitees will receive an RSVP form. The RSVP form will ask for the 
invitees initials only, if they want to participate in the needs assessment 
process, how theyÕd like to participate (focus group/optional interview), and 
what accommodations they need if any. Initials collected from the RSVP 
forms will be utilized to connect participants with their requested 
accommodations, if requested. 

The Project Director will be the designated point person for keeping 
track of all RSVP responses and accommodation requests for all focus 
groups and interviews. The Project Director will destroy all RSVP forms 
within one day following the focus group. The recruiter and Project Director 
will be the only individuals to view the initials of participants. The participantsÕ 
initials will in no way be linked to any information shared during the focus 
group/interview. 

Frequently Asked Questions Sheet 


The FAQ sheet will answer general questions about what the focus 
group/interview will entail. Participants will be informed that we will take back 
the FAQ sheet prior to their leaving and the reasons why. 

Meeting Card Reminders 

We recognize that some participants may want a meeting reminder. 
We will provide a meeting reminder to those participants who request 
a written reminder. The reminder will be the only written material that will 
leave with the participant who requests a written reminder. The card will be 
the size of a business card, and will only list the date and time of the meeting. 
There will be no phone number, meeting location, or information included on 
the reminder. 

Recruitment Training 

Focus group recruiters are Collaboration Partners or their staff. If a 
staff person will be recruiting, a formal training will be required. If training is 
required it will be conducted by the Collaboration Partner, will last no more 
than 30 minutes and will include the following topics. 

Training will include: 

. An overview of the grant and needs assessment process, including the 
goals of the needs assessment. 
. Recruitment tools 
. How to recruit a minimum/maximum number of participants for focus 
groups and keep track of the limited number of each group. 
. The importance of providing a clear understanding of The Miami 
Inclusion Alliance and mandated reporter status, so they are able to 
make an informed decision about whether or not to participate 
. What compensation is being provided and why and how they can 
chose to not take it home with them 


 


 Compensation 

 At the beginning of all focus groups /interviews, during the checkŠin 
process the facilitator will provide each participant with a $25 TD Bank gift 
card to cover their time and travel to the focus group/interview. Individuals 
will be told during recruitment and at the beginning of each focus 
group/interview that a gift card will be provided to them and that if they prefer 
not to take it with them, for safety or other reasons, the Project Director will 
keep it for them until they are ready to use it. Individuals will also be told that 
they can discontinue their participation at any time during the focus 
group/interview, without losing their gift card. 

The Project Director will count the number of participants and gift cards 
given out and keep a record for potential auditing requirements. The 
facilitator will sign off that this number is correct after each focus 
group/interview as a witness and to ensure accuracy. 

Participants in Legal Aid interviews will not receive compensation. 

Consent Process 

We will use a Passive Consent Process for all groups and interviews 
because it provides for stricter confidentiality of participants; prevents a 
paper trail, and eliminates time spent on administrative matters in the session 
itself. Passive consent will be clearly outlined in the facilitatorÕs opening 
remarks. Participants will be told they can leave or discontinue at any time. 
Once the remarks have been read, it will be assumed that all participants 
who choose to stay will be giving consent for their participation. Participants 
of focus groups and interviews are agreeing to: 

. Participate in a focus group/interview 
. Have their comments anonymously recorded electronically and in 
writing 
. Have their comments anonymously used in the needs assessment 
report 



. Have their comments anonymously used for developing the 
collaborationÕs strategic plan and implementation activities 


Confidentiality Process 

The following information outlines the specific considerations we have 
made to preserve confidentiality: 

. Personally identifying information will only be collected during the 
RSVP process when participants will be asked their initials for the 
purpose of linking them with their requested accommodations and 
accounting for gift cards. Gift card information, which will be only the 
participantÕs initials, will be kept in a locked cabinet in the DIG office. 
The Project Director will keep a list of any individuals who request 
accommodations and their initials. This information will be brought 
to each focus group/interview as needed, and will be destroyed 
within one day following the focus group /interview. 
. The number of participants who attend focus groups and interviews 
will be aggregated for the needs assessment report. No other 
RSVP information will be aggregated or shared. 
. In focus groups and interviews, participants will be asked not to 
provide any identifying information about themselves, specific staff, 
or program participants. 
. The recruiters who receive the RSVP forms will keep the RSVP 
forms in a sealed envelope while they have them. Immediately 
after each recruiting session, the recruiter will contact the Project 
Director and arrange for the delivery of RSVP forms within two 
business days of the recruiting session. 
. All RSVPs will be destroyed after each focus group/interview. 
. There will be no adverse ramifications for services due to any 
information shared. 
. Focus group participants will be asked to keep confidential any 
information discussed or shared during the focus group with anyone 
who did not participate in their specific group. Additionally, 



participants will be asked to not discuss what is said in the group 
with other group participants once the session is over. However, 
because we cannot ensure that participants preserve 
confidentiality, participants will also be encouraged to be mindful of 
what they share. 
. The notetaker will not link personal identifying information to 
comments made during any focus group or interviews. 
. The final needs assessment report will identify trends, barriers and 
strengths linked to what each organization and group as a whole 
stated during the needs assessment process in summary form. In 
order to make systemic changes at the collaborative organizations, 
it is imperative to identify strengths and needs to enrich the 
development of our strategic plan. 
. Any information gathered through the needs assessment process 
will be kept by the Project Director in a locked cabinet and stored in 
a password-protected computer that can be accessed only by the 
Project Director and Project Administrator. 
. The Project Director or designee will act as notetaker and will 
provide the Collaboration Partners with summaries of the focus 
groups and interviews. The focus groups and interviews will also be 
recorded. The notes and recording will be available to any 
Collaborative partner for review as they will be used in developing 
the findings report and/or the strategic plan. 
. The report will not be shared with anyone outside of the 
Collaboration until it has been reviewed and approved by the 
Collaboration, the Vera Institute of Justice, and the Office on 
Violence Against Women. The Collaboration will determine who will 
see this information once it is approved, using our decision making 
process. 
. All notes, records, and anything else recorded or in writing that is 
related to the needs assessment will be destroyed after the 
Strategic Plan has been approved by Office on Violence Against 



Women and DIG, MUJER, CVAC, and Legal Aid have signed off 
on it. 


Mandatory Reporting 

In Florida, all Collaboration Partners are mandated reporters. During 
the development of our Collaboration Charter, and again during the Needs 
Assessment Plan development, we discussed mandated reporting and 
reached consensus on what it means. Focus group participants will be 
informed of the mandated reporting requirements in the FAQ sheet and in 
the facilitatorÕs opening comments each session. The facilitator will also be 
prepared to interrupt a person who seems about to disclose to remind them 
of the mandatory reporting requirements. 

Accessibility Considerations 

The Miami Inclusion Alliance is committed to providing fully accessible 
focus groups and interviews for all participants throughout the needs 
assessment process. To the best of our ability, accessibility will be ensured 
through the following: 

. Accessible space will be used for all focus groups /interviews. 
Focus groups will take place in a space that is commonly used by 
the participants, so that they are already familiar with the 
surroundings. 
. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to those 
participating. The RSVP form for focus groups will include a 
checklist of available accommodations. The Project Director will be 
responsible for overseeing requested accommodations. 
. Recruiters and facilitators will be instructed to attend to the 
particular needs of each audience and speak in a manner that is 
accessible to all participants. 
. All print materials and needs assessment tools will be developed 
using plain language and an accessible font type and size which 
generally means a font size larger than 14.Participants who employ 
Personal Care Aides (PCA) will not be permitted to have them in the 



room during the focus group. However, if a participant needs to 
have a PCA in the room, the Collaboration will access a PCA from 
another agency for the focus group. If a participant requires their 
PCA be on the premises, but not in the room, the Floater will escort 
participants requesting their PCA out of the room and to that 
individual, who will be permitted on the premises, outside of the 
focus group area. 


Safety Considerations 

Physical and psychological safety is a primary consideration of the 
Miami Inclusion Alliance. We understand that safety is defined differently for 
each individual. Every effort will be made to protect the safety of individuals 
participating in the needs assessment process. The Collaboration will also 
make every effort to develop tools and processes to maximize the safety of 
all involved. 

During recruitment, and at the beginning of each focus group 
/interview, the following will be made clear to participants: 

. Questions are intended to elicit information about the participantsÕ 
experiences accessing services. This information will then be used 
by the Collaborative Partners to improve their services to 
victims/survivors who are persons with disabilities. Questions are 
not intended to gather personal experiences related to violence, 
abuse or neglect. 
. If the discussion of services or service access brings up memories 
or intense feelings and/or if a participant appears likely to disclose, 
a counselor will be available at each focus group for 
victims/survivors and persons with disabilities to provide emotional 
support for anyone needing it either during the session or just 
following the session. A private, accessible space will be made 
available to insure confidentiality and safety. Before each focus 
group, participants will be told that the counselor is available, where 



the counselor will be located, and that they can request an escort to 
the counselor. 
. Lists of local resources will be made available to anyone requesting 
one. 
. Anyone can discontinue at any time if they feel uncomfortable. 
. No one has to answer any question that makes him or her feel 
uncomfortable. 
. There will be no consequence to employment/services for anyone 
who chooses to participate or not participate in the needs 
assessment process. 
. No personal identifying information will be linked to those 
participating in the group, other than to provide them with their 
requested accommodations and gift cards. 
. We will offer optional individual interviews to anyone who would 
prefer to participate outside of a group setting. 
. Anyone has the option for their gift card to be kept by the Project 
Director until they are ready to use it. 
. We will be taking back all forms at the end of the recruitment 
process. 
. We will take initials only of all participants on the RSVP form for the 
purpose of connecting individuals with their requested 
accommodations and the gift card log and it will not be linked to any 
individually identifying information. 
. Any print materials and signage at focus groups/interview meeting 
sites will not list Miami Inclusion Alliance or use language regarding 
the intersection of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and 
disabilities. 
. An individualÕs own Personal Care Aide (PCA) will not be permitted 
in the room during focus groups/interviews. However, we will make 
special accommodations for anyone requiring the assistance of a 
PCA. 



. Sites selected for focus groups /interviews will be where people feel 
safe. The sites selected will be ones in which participants already 
have a routine, so their presence will not be out of the ordinary or 
bring attention. 
. Additionally, we have taken special considerations when selecting 
the groups we will be engaging, including the following: 
o We are only recruiting people with disabilities who are their 
own guardians, so as not to create a situation where they 
would have to disclose to another their participation and 
potentially put them at risk. 
o DIG, MUJER and CVAC will not recruit anyone who we know 
to be currently in a dangerous situation. 




 

 


Work Plan Outline 

The Miami Inclusion Alliance has agreed to meet in person at least 
eight hours per month to complete the Work Plan. The partners began 
these meetings in January 2016. The partners also agreed to meet 
additional hours either in person, telephonically or by email as needed in 
addition to the agreed upon eight hours. 

ACTIVITY 

TIMEFRAME 

New grantee orientation 

Dec 2-3, 2015 

 

Develop and submit Collaboration charter 

1. The project received final approval 
and the removal of special 
conditions related to financial 
clearance was done on April 1, 
2016. Prior to that approval, reduced 
hours were spent on the project per 
instructions from OVW. 
2. Vera site visit took place Mar.30 and 
31, 2016 


Jan 1, 2016-Sept 15, 2016 

Develop Focus memo 

 

Sept. 16, 2016-Sept 30, 2016 

Develop Needs Assessment Plan 

Oct. 1, 2016- Jan 15, 2017 

Conduct Needs Assessment 

 

Jan 15, 2017- Mar 15, 2017 

Develop Needs Assessment Report 

 

Mar 15, 2017- April 15, 2017 

Develop Strategic Plan 

1. Anticipated technical assistance visit 
from Vera 


 April 15, 2017 Š May 31, 2017 

 

Implementation of Strategic Plan 

June 1, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018 



 


Appendix 

 


Checklist for Recruitment Session 

 

____Script 

 

____FAQ Sheets 

 

____Community Resources 

 

____Envelopes for RSVPs 

 

 


Training for Recruiters 

 

Focus group recruiters are Collaboration Partners or their staff. If a staff person will 
be recruiting, a formal training will be required. If training is required it will be 
conducted by a Collaboration Partner, will last no more than 30 minutes and will 
include the following topics. 

Training Script 

 

1. An overview of the grant and needs assessment process. 


 

The Miami Inclusion Alliance (MIA) is made up of four organizations located in 
Miami-Dade County, Florida. Disability Independence Group, Inc. (DIG) is a 
nonprofit disability rights legal advocacy center with a mission to expand 
opportunities for participation, education, employment and acceptance of 
persons with disabilities. Mujeres Unidas en Justicia, Educacion, y Reforma, Inc. 
(MUJER) is a certified sexual assault center that provides domestic violence and 
sexual assault education, direct response and support services. Miami-Dade 
County Community Action and Human Services Department, Coordinated 
Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) is a one-stop center that provides holistic and 
coordinated services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating 
violence, stalking and human trafficking Dade Legal Aid (Legal Aid) is a civil legal 
services provider with a dedicated domestic violence unit. This Collaboration 
applied for and received the Office on Violence Against Women grant funding 
in 2015, enabling the work of this Collaboration to commence. Our focus is to 
build capacity in each of our organizations enabling us to better serve persons 
with disabilities who are victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual 
assault. 

 

2. An Overview of the Focus Groups/interviews. 


 

. Focus groups will have between 6 and 10 participants. Recruiters should 
allow for possible no shows by recruiting 10 participants for each group so 
that the minimum of 6 per group will be present. The sessions will last 90 
minutes. 


 


. Recruiters of persons with disabilities, will only recruit persons that do not 
have legal guardians. 


 

. We will use a Passive Consent Process for all groups and interviews because 
it provides for stricter confidentiality of participants; prevents a paper trail, 
and eliminates time spent on administrative matters in the session itself. 
Passive consent will be clearly outlined in the facilitatorÕs opening remarks. 
Participants can leave or discontinue at any time. Once the remarks have 
been read, it will be assumed that all participants who choose to stay will be 
giving consent for their participation. 


 

. The information learned during the focus groups/interviews will be used to 
develop a report and that report will be shared with the CollaborationÕs 
funder and technical assistance provider leading to a strategic plan for 
improvement of services for victims/survivors who are persons with 
disabilities. 


 

. Compensation is being provided to all participants. It will be a $25.00 TD 
Bank gift card. At the beginning of all focus groups /interviews, during the 
checkŠin process the facilitator will provide each participant with the gift 
card to cover their time and travel to the focus group/interview. Individuals 
will be told that if they prefer not to take it with them, the Project Director 
will keep it for them until they are ready to use it. Individuals can discontinue 
their participation at any time during the focus group/interview, without 
losing their gift card. 


 

3. An Overview of Confidentiality 


The following information outlines the specific considerations we have made 
to preserve confidentiality: 

 

. Personally identifying information will only be collected during the RSVP 
process when participants will be asked their initials for the purpose of linking 
them with their requested accommodations and accounting for gift cards. Gift 
card information, which will be only the participantÕs initials, will be kept in a 
locked cabinet in the DIG office. The Project Director will keep a list of any 



individuals who request accommodations and their initials. This information 
will be brought to each focus group/interview as needed, and will be 
destroyed within one day following the focus group /interview. 


 

. In focus groups and interviews, participants will be asked not to provide any 
identifying information about themselves, specific staff, or program 
participants. 


 

. The recruiters who receive the RSVP forms will keep the RSVP forms in a 
sealed envelope while they have them. Immediately after each recruiting 
session, the recruiter will contact the Project Director and arrange for the 
delivery of RSVP forms within two business days of the recruiting session. 


 

. There will be no adverse effects on anyoneÕs services due to any information 
shared. 


 

. Focus group participants will be asked to keep confidential any information 
discussed or shared during the focus group with anyone who did not 
participate in their specific group. Additionally, participants will be asked to 
not discuss what is said in the group with other group participants once the 
session is over. However, because we cannot ensure that participants 
preserve confidentiality, participants will also be encouraged to be mindful of 
what they share. 


 

. The notetaker will not link personal identifying information to comments 
made during any focus group or interviews. 


 

4. An overview of Mandatory Reporting 


In Florida, all Collaboration Partners are mandated reporters of abuse, neglect 
and exploitation of vulnerable adults and abuse, abandonment and neglect of 
children. A mandated reporter of child abuse is any person who knows, or has 
reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused abandoned of neglected by 
a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the childÕs 
welfare. A mandated reporter of abuse of a vulnerable adult is any person who 
knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been or 


is being abused, neglected or exploited. A vulnerable adult is defined as a person 
over 18 years of age whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living 
or to provide for his or her own care or protection is impaired due to mental, 
emotional, sensory, long term physical, or developmental disability or 
dysfunction, or brain damage or the infirmities of aging. Focus group 
participants will be informed of the mandated reporting requirements in the 
FAQ sheet and in the facilitatorÕs opening comments each session. The 
facilitator will also be prepared to interrupt a person who seems about to 
disclose to remind them of the mandatory reporting requirements. 

 

5. An overview of Accessibility Considerations 


The Miami Inclusion Alliance is committed to providing fully accessible focus 
groups and interviews for all participants throughout the needs assessment 
process. To the best of our ability, accessibility will be ensured through the 
following: 

. Accessible space will be used for all focus groups /interviews. Focus groups 
will take place in a space that is commonly used by the participants, so that 
they are already familiar with the surroundings. 


 

. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to those participating. There 
is an accommodation request form that you should use if a participant 
requests an accommodation. The form outlines accommodations available 
as well as special requests. The Project Director will be responsible for 
overseeing requested accommodations so if a participant request an 
accommodation fill out the form and submit to the project director with the 
recruitment information. 


 

6. An overview of Safety Considerations 


Physical and psychological safety is a primary consideration of the Miami 
Inclusion Alliance. We understand that safety is defined differently for each 
individual. Every effort will be made to protect the safety of individuals 
participating in a focus group/interview. During recruitment, and at the 
beginning of each focus group /interview, the following will be made clear to 
participants: 


. Questions are intended to elicit information about the participantsÕ 
experiences accessing services. This information will then be used by the 
Collaborative Partners to improve their services to victims/survivors who are 
persons with disabilities. Questions are not intended to gather personal 
experiences related to violence, abuse or neglect. 


 

. If the discussion of services or service access brings up memories or intense 
feelings and/or if a participant appears likely to disclose, a counselor will be 
available at each focus group for victims/survivors and persons with 
disabilities to provide emotional support for anyone needing it either during 
the session or just following the session. A private, accessible space will be 
made available to insure confidentiality and safety. Before each focus group, 
participants will be told that the counselor is available, where the counselor 
will be located, and that they can request an escort to the counselor. 


 

. Lists of local resources will be made available to anyone requesting one. 


 

. Anyone can discontinue at any time if they feel uncomfortable. 


 

. No one has to answer any question that makes him or her feel 
uncomfortable. 


 

. There will be no consequences to anyone who chooses to participate or not 
participate. 


 

. No personal identifying information will be linked to those participating in 
the group, other than initials to provide them with their requested 
accommodations and gift cards. 


 

. We offer optional individual interviews to anyone who would prefer to 
participate outside of a group setting. 


 

. Anyone has the option for their gift card to be kept by the Project Director 
until they are ready to use it. 
. We will be taking back all forms at the end of the recruitment process. 



 

. We will take initials only of all participants on the RSVP form for the purpose 
of connecting individuals with their requested accommodations and the gift 
card log and it will not be linked to any individually identifying information. 


 

. Any print materials and signage at focus groups/interview meeting sites will 
not list Miami Inclusion Alliance or use language regarding the intersection 
of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and disabilities. 


 

. An individualÕs own Personal Care Aide (PCA) will not be permitted in the 
room during focus groups/interviews. However, we will make special 
accommodations for anyone requiring the assistance of a PCA. 


 

. Sites selected for focus groups /interviews will be where people feel safe. 
The sites selected will be ones in which participants already have a routine, 
so their presence will not be out of the ordinary or bring attention. 


 

. Additionally, we have taken special considerations when selecting the groups 
we will be engaging, including the following: 


 

o We are only recruiting people with disabilities who are their own 
guardians, so as not to create a situation where they would have to 
disclose to another their participation and potentially put them at risk. 




 

o DIG, MUJER and CVAC will not recruit anyone who we know to be 
currently in a dangerous situation. 




 


Recruitment Speech-Persons with Disabilities and 
Victims/Survivors 

 

[Insert agency name] is part of a collaboration working to create more accessible, 
safe and welcoming responses and services. 

 

The organizations which are part of this Collaboration are Disability Independence 
Group Inc. (DIG) a nonprofit that advocates and litigates on behalf of persons with 
disabilities, CVAC, MUJER and Legal Aid, all organizations that help people who 
have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault by providing services, 
protection, safe shelter, along with counseling and advocacy. We are asking many 
people to contribute to our learning for this project. 

 

Can I tell you a little more about it to see if you are interested in participating? [If 
yes, continue] 

 

1. Project Overview 


The name of our Collaboration is the Miami Inclusion Alliance or MIA. We came 
together because of a three-year federal grant from the Office on Violence 
Against Women. The grant provides a unique opportunity for our organizations 
to develop a strong partnership that will work towards improving response and 
services for persons with disabilities. 

 

In order to learn how to improve response and services, we will be conducting 
a Needs Assessment. We will be talking to staff from all partner agencies and 
also people who identify themselves as a: 

 

. Victim/Survivor of domestic/sexual assault, or 


 

. A person with a disability (ies) 


 

We will write a report based on the information that we gather that will be 
shared with all of the agencies in our Collaboration as well as Vera, our technical 
assistance provider, and the Office on Violence Against Women, who provides 


our funding. We will use the report to develop a plan for how our organizations 
can work together to improve our response and services. 

2. Invitation 
A. For Victims/Survivors 




 I would like to invite you to be part of a focus group with other 
victims/survivors for the Needs Assessment. There will be about 6 to 10 
people in the group and we will be asking about your thoughts for 
improving response and services for victims/survivors of domestic 
violence /sexual assault. We will only ask about your experiences as a 
victim/survivor with obtaining services. We will not be asking you to share 
any specific experience of domestic violence or sexual assault that you or 
someone you know has been through. If you would like to participate, but 
do not want to participate as part of a group, you have the option to 
request a one-on-one interview. 

 

B. For Persons with Disabilities: 




 

I would like to invite you to be part of a focus group with other people 
with disabilities for the Needs Assessment. There will be about 6 to 10 
people in the group and we will be asking about your thoughts for 
improving services for persons with disabilities. We will only ask about 
your experiences, as a person with a disability with obtaining services. 
Although you or someone you know may have experienced domestic 
violence or sexual assault we will not be asking you to share these 
experiences. If you would like to participate, but do not want to 
participate as part of a group, you have the option to request a one-on-
one interview. 

 

(Do not ask whether the invitee has experienced domestic violence or 
sexual assault, but if the invitee discloses, ask if they are interested in 
resources/support.) 

 


Depending on the circumstances, e.g. someone who has already received 
support and is currently safe, you may let them know there is an option 
to participate in an interview to provide their perspective. 

 

C. Information About Groups: 




 

Focus Groups: Will last 1. hours. It is possible that you may know 
someone in the group. 

 

Participating is completely up to you. There are no consequences to any 
services you receive whether you choose to participate or not. 

 

You can change your mind at any time and decide not participate. Even 
if you go to the [focus group/interview] you can choose to leave at any 
time. You do not have to complete the [interview/focus group]. 

 

You can choose which questions you want to answer and which ones you 
do not want to answer. 

 

You do not have to sign anything to participate. If you go to the [focus 
group/interview] and respond to the questions, we will assume that you 
are freely choosing to participate. 

 

We will not connect anything you say to your name or to anything that 
would identify you. In our notes and in the report we would say 
something like ŅA victim/survivor or a person with a disability saysÉnot 
using any names. 

 

Focus Group: We will be digital/audio recording the focus group. The 
only reason we are digital/audio-recording is to make sure that we 
understand what everyone says accurately. The only people who will 
hear the recording will be people who are directly involved with putting 
together the report. This includes the Project Director, the person 
facilitating the focus group. The recording will be destroyed afterwards. 


If you would prefer not to be digital/ audio-recorded, you can participate 
in a one-on one interview. 

 

Interview: We will be digital/audio recording the interviews. The only 
reason we are digital/audio recording is to make sure that we get what 
everyone says accurately. The only people who will hear the recording 
will be people who are directly involved with putting together the report. 
This includes the Project Director, the person facilitating the focus group, 
possibly a professional transcriber, and possibly representatives from 
each of the organizations. The recording will be destroyed afterwards. If 
you would prefer not to be digital/audio recorded you can let me know. 

 

All notes will be stored in a private, secure place and will be destroyed 
after we finish our strategic plan. 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the Needs Assessment report will be seen by all 
our partner agencies, our technical assistance provider and our funder. 

 

Staff at the focus groups and interviews may be mandated reporters. 
This means they may need to make a report to the Department of 
Children and Families protective service agency if you tell them that 
someone under 18 is being abused, abandoned or neglected or a 
vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited. 

 

If you tell them that you are suicidal or have a plan to harm someone 
else, they may need to call 911. 

 

Staff at the focus group/interview will not ask you any questions about 
personal experiences with violence and you are encouraged not to share 
these experiences in the focus group/interview. Our focus is on your 
experience with services, not on any incident itself. 

 

There will be a counselor at the focus group/interview. Whether or not 
you have personal experience with domestic violence/sexual assault we 
know that the discussion may bring up feelings for you. You can speak to 


the counselor any time during or right after the focus group/interview. 
The counselor will keep what you say confidential except for the 
exceptions that I just explained. A list of resources will also be available 
to all participants. 

 

D. Confidentiality in Focus Groups: 




 

We will ask all participants to not share anything that was shared by 
others in the group, but unfortunately cannot guarantee that everyone 
will keep what is said confidential. 

 

If you have your own personal care assistant (PCA), they can bring you to 
the focus group, but they canÕt be in the room with you during the group. 
They can wait for you outside of the group and can be available for you at 
any time if you need help outside of the group. If you need a PCA during 
the group, we will provide an alternate PCA. 

 

E. Safety: 




 

If you would like written information about this project and Needs 
Assessment we can provide you with this information; however if you 
are uncomfortable, unsafe or have any concerns about people who live 
with you or who come to your home seeing the information, we suggest 
that you review the information here instead of taking it with you. (If the 
invitee expresses interest, give the FAQ Sheet to them.) 

 

If you feel that being in the focus group will make you feel unsafe or 
uncomfortable, we suggest that you donÕt participate. 

 

F. Gift Card: 




 

 To thank participants, we will be giving each participant a $25 gift card. 

 

G. Do you have any questions? 




 


3. Confirming Interest to Participate 


 

After hearing this information, would you be interested in participating? 

 

If the invitee would like to think about it, let them know they can contact you if 
they decide they are interested. 

 

If the invitee has questions that you cannot answer, let them know you can get 
the answer from the Project Director or have the Project Director contact them. 
Obtain information about the safest way to reach them. 

 

4. RSVP 


 

If the invitee is interested in participating, review the RSVP form with them. 
The invitee could fill out the form or you can fill out the form. If the invitee is 
not interested in participating, you do not need to fill out an RSVP form. 

 

 Key notes for RSVP form: 

 

The invitee only needs to fill out their initials. This will help to protect the 
inviteeÕs privacy. 

 

 The invitee should check-off either a focus group or an interview. 

 

If the invitee answers yes to needing an accommodation then fill out the 
accommodation request form. 

 

5. Conclusion 


 

Would you like a reminder card with the date and time of your focus 
group/interview? 

 

Thanks so much for your interest in participating. Remember, that participation 
is completely optional. You can change your mind at any time. If you do change 


your mind, please contact____________ (insert name of recruiter) and let them 
know. 

 


Recruitment Speech-Persons with Disabilities ID/DD 

 

[Insert agency name] is part of a group working together to make our services more 
accessible, safe and welcoming. 

 

The groups are Disability Independence Group Inc. a nonprofit that works with 
persons with disabilities, CVAC, MUJER and Legal Aid, all groups that help people 
who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault by giving services, 
protection, safe shelter, counseling and advocacy. We are asking many people to 
contribute to our learning for this project. 

 

Can I tell you a little more about it to see if you are interested in participating? [If 
yes, continue] 

 

1. Project Overview 


 

The name of our group is the Miami Inclusion Alliance or MIA. We came 
together because of a three-year federal grant from the Office on Violence 
Against Women. The grant provides a chance for our groups to develop a strong 
team that will work together to improve our services. 

 

We want to learn from you what it is like for a person with a disability to get 
services in the community. Our goal is to make services welcoming, safe and 
accessible. Your answers and ideas will really help us do that. We will ask you 
what you think helps you when you get services. 

 

We will write a report based on the information that we gather that will be 
shared with all of the agencies in our group as well as Vera, our technical 
assistance provider, and the Office on Violence Against Women, who provides 
our funding. We will use the report to develop a plan for how our organizations 
can work together to improve our response and services. 

 

2. Invitation: 


 


I would like to invite you to be part of a focus group with other people with 
disabilities. A focus group is when people come together and answer 
questions. There will be about 6 to 10 people in the group and we want to learn 
what makes services you receive welcoming, safe and accessible. We want to 
learn from you what it is like for a person with a developmental disability to get 
services in our community. 

 

We will only ask about your experiences, as a person with a disability with 
getting services. Although you or someone you know may have experienced 
domestic violence or sexual assault we will not be asking you to share these 
experiences. If you would like to participate, but do not want to participate as 
part of a group, you can have a one-on-one interview. 

 

(Do not ask whether the invitee has experienced domestic violence or sexual 
assault, but if the invitee discloses, ask if they are interested in 
resources/support. Depending on the circumstances Še.g. someone who has 
already received support and is currently safe you may let them know there is 
an option to participate in an interview to provide their perspective. ) 

 

3. Information About Groups: 


 

Focus Groups: Will last 1. hours. It is possible that you may know someone in 
the group. 

 

Being in the focus group is completely up to you. None of the services you 
receive now or will receive in the future will change because of your choice. 
Participating is completely up to you. 

 

You can change your mind at any time and decide not participate. Even if you 
go to the [focus group/interview] you can choose to leave at any time. You do 
not have to finish the [interview/focus group]. 

 

You can choose which questions you want to answer and which ones you do not 
want to answer. 

 


You do not have to sign anything to be in the group. If you come to the focus 
group/interview you are telling us that you agree to participate in the focus 
group/interview. 

 

4. Confidentiality: 


 

There will be someone taking notes on a computer and recording the meeting, 
but no one will record your name. Your name will not be connected to anything 
you say. Only the project staff will see the notes or listen to the recordings. After 
the project is finished, we will throw away all of the recordings and tear up all 
the notes. We will make it very clear to everyone in the focus group that it is 
important to respect peopleÕs privacy. 

 

All notes will be stored in a private, safe place and will be torn up after we finish 
our strategic plan. 

 

As I said earlier, the needs assessment report will only be seen by partners, our 
technical assistance provider and our funder. 

 

Staff at the focus groups and interviews may be mandated reporters. This means 
they may need to make a report to the Department of Children and Families 
protective service agency if you tell them that someone under 18 is being 
abused, abandoned or neglected or a vulnerable adult is being abused, 
neglected or exploited. 

 

If you tell them that you are thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, they 
may need to call 911. 

 

Staff at the focus group/interview will not ask you any questions about your own 
experiences with violence and you are encouraged not to share these 
experiences in the focus group/interview. Our focus is on your experience with 
trying to get help and services in the community. 

 

If you want to talk to someone for support or for any reason during or after the 
group, there will be a counselor whom you can talk to in a private area. 


 

If you have your own personal care assistant (PCA), they can bring you to the 
focus group, but they canÕt be in the room with you during the group. They can 
wait for you outside of the group and can be available for you at any time if you 
need help outside of the group. If you need a personal care assistant during the 
group, we will provide another PCA. 

 

5. Safety: 


 

If you would like written information about this project and needs assessment 
we can give you with this information; however if you are uncomfortable, 
unsafe or have any concerns about people who live with you or who come to 
your home seeing the information, we suggest that you look at the information 
here instead of taking it with you. (If the invitee expresses interest, give the 
FAQÕs Sheet to them.) 

 

If you feel that being in the focus group will make you feel unsafe or 
uncomfortable, we suggest that you donÕt participate. 

 

6. Gift Cards: 


To thank you, we will be giving each participant a $25 gift card. 

 

7. Do you have any questions? 


 

8. Confirming Interest to Participate 


 

After hearing this information, would you be interested in participating? 

 

(If the invitee would like to think about it, let them know they can contact you 
if they decide they are interested.) 

 

(If the invitee has questions that you cannot answer, let them know you can get 
the answer from the Project Director or have the Project Director contact them. 
Obtain information about the safest way to reach them.) 

 


9. RSVP 


 

If the invitee is interested in participating review the RSVP form with them. The 
invitee could fill out the form or you can fill out the form. If the invitee is not 
interested in participating, you do not need to fill out an RSVP form. 

 

 Key notes for RSVP form: 

 

The invitee only needs to fill out their initials. This will help to protect the 
inviteeÕs privacy. 

 

The invitee should check-off either a focus group or an interview. 

 

If the invitee answers yes to needing an accommodation then fill out the 
accommodation request form. 

 

10. Conclusion 


 

Would you like a reminder card with the date and time of your focus 
group/interview? 

 

Thanks so much for your interest in being in the group. Remember, that 
participation is completely up to you. You can change your mind at any time. 
If you do change your mind, please contact____________ (insert name of 
recruiter) and let them know. 

 

 


Frequently Asked Questions 

 

Q: Why did the Miami Inclusion Alliance decide to do this work? 

A: People with disabilities experience abuse more often than people who donÕt 
have a disability. The four agencies, DIG, MUJER, CVAC and Legal Aid, believe there 
are better ways we can help people with disabilities who are victims/survivors of 
abuse. We decided to work together to make a plan to support victims/survivors 
with disabilities. 

Q: How will my comments change anything? 

A: Miami Inclusion Alliance knows that you are the expert of your life and your 
experiences and you can provide us with what we need to know about your 
experience as a person with a disability or a victim/survivor of abuse. No one would 
ask a doctor how to change a car engine, right? Of course not, you would ask an 
expert in that field. You are the expert with the information we need. You can tell 
us what works and what doesnÕt work for you, where you feel comfortable and safe 
and where you feel listened to and heard. 

Q: Will what I say be shared with others? 

A: Your thoughts and suggestions will be shared in a report, but no one will know 
who shared them. We will keep your answers as confidential as possible. We will 
only use your initials and not your name. We will not tell anyone that you 
participated in the groups. Once we are finished all the notes and recordings will 
be destroyed. 

Q: Will anyone find out what I talked about in the group? 

A: NO, the information you provide will not contain your name. The only 
information we will ask you for is your initials. Your comments will be used and 
valued, but they will never be connected with your name. We ask everyone who 
participates to not talk about what is discussed in the group. 


Q: What is a mandated reporter? 

A: You will not be asked to share stories about your own experience of violence or 
abuse or stories about someone you know who may have been abused. There will 
be people in the room that may have to report abuse if you tell a story about abuse 
that is happening to you. This is called mandatory reporting. In Florida, all 
Collaboration Partners are mandated reporters of abuse, neglect and exploitation 
of vulnerable adults and abuse, abandonment and neglect of children. A mandated 
reporter of child abuse is any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to 
suspect, that a child is abused abandoned of neglected by a parent, legal custodian, 
caregiver, or other person responsible for the childÕs welfare. A mandated reporter 
of abuse of a vulnerable adult is any person who knows, or has reasonable cause 
to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected or 
exploited. A vulnerable adult is defined as a person over 18 years of age whose 
ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for his or her 
own care or protection is impaired due to mental, emotional, sensory, long term 
physical, or developmental disability or dysfunction, or brain damage or the 
infirmities of aging If a person believes a child or vulnerable adult is being abused, 
abandoned or neglected or exploited they must report that abuse to the 
Department of Children and Families. All the agencies in the Miami Inclusion 
Alliance and their staff are mandated reporters. What this means is, if someone 
tells us that they are currently being abused or hurt, we must report it right away. 

Q: Do I need to sign a consent form to participate? 

A: NO. We do not want to create any paperwork which would require your name. 
Therefore, we will consider your being in in the group as your consent. 

Q: Do I need to answer every question that is asked? 

A: NO. You do not need to answer any question that you are not comfortable 
answering. 

Q: Why is the Focus Group being Electronically Recorded? 


A: The session is being electronically recorded so that we can make sure that we 
are writing everything down correctly. The recording will only be used to make 
sure we wrote the answers down correctly and then it will be destroyed. 

 


RSVP Form 

Please complete this form and return it to the person who recruited you. All 
information you provide is confidential. 

Initials: ______________ 

Please check one of the following: 

. I wish to participate in a focus group 

 DATE__________________ TIME_______________ 

. I wish to participate in a one-on-one interview 

 Date ________________ Time ________________ 

. I do not wish to participate 

Meeting reminder options: 

. I would like a meeting reminder card. 

. I would like a meeting reminder from the person who recruited me. 

 Best way to contact me (phone/email): ________________________ 

It is safe to leave a message: . YES . NO 

Do you need any accommodations? . YES* . NO 

*If yes, please fill out the accommodations request form 


Accommodations Request Form 

 

Please put a check next to any accommodation that you would like during your 
focus group/interview. If you request one or more accommodations, the 
Collaboration will provide this for you at no charge to the participant. 

Check all that apply for you. 

Accommodations: 

. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter 


 

. Assistive listening device 


 

. Large print 


 

. Braille 


 

. PCA (If you need a PCA in the room during the focus group, the Collaboration 
will provide you with one at no charge) 


 

. Other 


Please explain: __________________________________ 

 

. Other considerations or information that would be helpful for focus group 
facilitator 


 

_________________________________________________________ 


Reminder Cards 

 

 

Meeting Reminder 

 

Date: _____________ 

 

Time: _____________ 

 

Meeting Reminder 

 

Date: _____________ 

 

Time: _____________ 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Reminder 

 

Date: _____________ 

 

Time: _____________ 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Reminder 

 

Date: _____________ 

 

Time: _____________ 



 

 


Checklist for Focus Groups 

 

____Opening Remarks 

 

____Questions 

 

____Community Resources List 

 

____FAQ sheets 

 

____Gift Card Tracker Form 

 

____Gift Card Disbursement Log 

 

____ Digital Recorder 

 

____Copies of questions for Notetaker 

 

 


Gift Card Tracker Form 

 

Date____/____/____ Time__________AM/PM 

 

Location_____________________________________________________ 

 

Facilitator____________________________________________________ 

 

Number of Cards to Start 

Number of Participants 

Number of Cards at End 

 

 

 

 



 

Participants who did not want to take their card: 

Initials 

Instructions for retention of card 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Facilitator Signature___________________________________________ 

 

Date____/____/____ 

 

Project Director Signature______________________________________ 

 


Gift Card Disbursement Log 

 

Date Card 
Dispersed 

Card Face 
Amount 

RecipientÕs Initials 

Gift Card Certificate Number 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 


Facilitator Script for Victims/Survivors of DV/SA and 
Persons with Disabilities Focus Group 

 

1. Introduction: 


Welcome the group and thank them for participating in this focus group for 
[insert group] 

 Introduce self and role facilitating conversation. 

Facilitator covers basic housekeeping (e.g. location of bathrooms, temperature 
of room etc.). 

2. Overview: 


IÕd like to start by reviewing who we are and why weÕre here today. Disability 
Independence Group Inc., CVAC, MUJER and Legal Aid are working together to 
improve how we respond to and serve victims/survivors of domestic violence 
and sexual assault who are persons with disabilities. 

In order to know how to do this we are talking to victims/survivors of domestic 
violence/sexual assault and persons with disabilities. Your input will help us 
make our services safer, more welcoming and more accessible to 
victim/survivors with disabilities. 

. For Victims/Survivors: The focus of our conversation will be to learn from 
you the best ways for us to respond to disclosures of domestic violence/ 
sexual assault and how to make services more comfortable and safe for 
victims/ survivors. 


We will be talking to you about what has been helpful and what can be 
improved in these areas. 

We will not be discussing your or anyone elseÕs experience with domestic 
violence/sexual assault or any other form of violence/abuse during the 
focus group. Please do not share yours or anyone elseÕs experiences with 
domestic violence/sexual assault during the focus group. If you need to 


discuss your personal experiences, you will be able to access an onsite 
counselor/advocate. 

. For Persons with Disabilities: The focus of our conversation will be to 
learn from you how to make services accessible and welcoming to 
persons with disabilities. We will be talking to you about what has been 
helpful and what can be improved in these areas. 


Given the statistics of domestic violence/sexual assault in the US we 
know that there may be people here who have experienced domestic 
violence/sexual assault or know someone who has. We will not be 
discussing your or anyone elseÕs experience with domestic 
violence/sexual assault or any other form of violence/abuse during the 
focus group. 

We will not be discussing your or anyone elseÕs experience with domestic 
violence/sexual assault or any other form of violence/abuse during the 
focus group. Please do not share yours or anyone elseÕs experiences with 
domestic violence/sexual assault during the focus group. If you need to 
discuss your personal experiences, you will be able to access an onsite 
counselor/advocate. 

3. Introduction of Other Staff in Focus Group: 

Note Taker 

This is [insert name]. [Insert name] will be taking notes and recording what 
is said during the group discussion. 

[Insert name] will not write down any names or identifying information in 
the notes. 

The notes from all the groups will be used to write a report that will be used 
to help our organizations develop a plan for improving services. This report 
will be seen by people within our organizations, our technical assistance 
provider who will assist us with writing the report, and our funder. 

Again, your names will not be mentioned in the report or any other written 
material. Instead, we might write something like Ņ[Victim/Survivor/Person 


with disabilities] said ÉÓ Even if we quote something you say, we will not 
include your name or any other details that would enable the reader to 
identify you. 

We will also be digital/audio recording the discussion. This will ensure that 
we write down what you say accurately. Only people directly involved in 
writing the report will hear the audio recording. If you have something 
specific to say that you do not want recorded please let us know and we can 
turn the audio recorder off for that moment. 

Counselor 

This is [insert name]. They are a counselor. Even though we are not talking 
about any incidents of domestic violence or sexual violence, talking about 
how responsive or unresponsive services are can bring up feelings. The 
counselor is here for any of you who would like to talk during or after the 
group today. [Insert name] will be sitting in [insert location]. 

Please feel free to leave the discussion to speak with her or take a break to 
take care of yourself if you need it. We will also have a list of local resources 
available for you. 

Floater 

This is [insert name]. They will be helping out in different ways during our 
discussion. DonÕt hesitate to ask [insert name] if you need any assistance like 
adjusting the temperature in the room, showing you where the counselor is 
etc. 

4. Confidentiality 

We will not talk about the names of the people who are here or connect anything 
you say to your name. 

We also ask that all of you keep the identity of every one present and everything 
that is said here confidential. We want everyone to feel free to share their ideas 
and comments. We acknowledge that although we are asking all of you to keep 
everything confidential, that we are not able to enforce this, so please keep this 
in mind when sharing. 


If you talk to the counselor she will not tell anyone else, including [name of note 
taker] and myself what you talked about. 

There are a couple of exceptions though. In order to keep you and others safe, 
we may have to break confidentiality and tell someone else if you tell us that you 
are being abused, neglected or exploited. We may also have to break 
confidentiality if we learn that someone under 18 is being abused, abandoned or 
neglected. We will talk to you first before talking to others. 

5. Consent 

If at any time you donÕt wish to continue, you may leave the discussion. There 
are no consequences to choosing not to participate. You will be able to keep 
your gift card regardless of whether you finish the discussion. We will assume 
that if you are staying that you are freely agreeing to participate. 

6. Questions 

IÕll be asking you some questions which will help guide the conversation. Again, 
there are no right or wrong answers. 

I wonÕt be calling on people, and you may choose to answer or not answer any 
particular question. IÕll be sure to pause in between each question to make sure 
that anyone who wants to speak has a chance. I ask that you respect what each 
person has to say even though you might not agree with it. I also ask that you 
allow a person to finish speaking before you speak and take turns, keeping in 
mind the amount of time you speak, so that everyone who would like to speak 
gets the opportunity. 

Does anyone have any questions before we begin? 

7. Concluding Statement 

Thank you so much for your time today and for answering these questions. Your 
responses will help us improve response and services to victims/survivors with 
disabilities. If you would like any additional information, please ask one of us 
before you leave today and we will be glad to help. 

 


Facilitator Script for Persons with Disabilities ID/DD Focus 
Group 

 

Although we wonÕt be hosting a focus group specifically for people with ID/DD, 
we have developed these questions for the Facilitator in case a person with ID/DD 
is participating in the group of Persons with Disabilities and seems to be having a 
difficult time comprehending the questions. 

1. Introduction: 


Welcome the group and thank them for participating in this focus group for 
[insert group] 

 Introduce self and role facilitating conversation. 

Facilitator covers basic housekeeping (e.g. location of bathrooms, temperature 
of room etc.). 

2. Overview: 


IÕd like to start by telling you who we are why we are here today. Disability 
Independence Group Inc., CVAC, MUJER and Legal Aid are working together to 
help persons with disabilities who are victims/survivors of domestic violence or 
sexual assault. In order to know how to do this we are talking to 
victims/survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault and persons with 
disabilities, and the leadership and staff of Legal Aid. Your input will help us 
make our services safer, more welcoming and more accessible to 
victim/survivors with disabilities. 

We are here today to find out from you what you think about services you have 
gotten in your community. We want to know what is helpful and not helpful for 
you when you seek services. We are asking you these questions so we can learn 
what we can do better to help the people we serve. We will use the information 
you give us to create a plan for how to make our services better. 

We know that there may be people here who have experienced domestic 
violence/sexual assault or know someone who has. We will not be discussing 


your or anyone elseÕs experience with domestic violence/sexual assault or any 
other form of violence/abuse during the focus group. 

Please do not share yours or anyone elseÕs experiences or stories with 
violence/abuse during the focus group. 

If you need to discuss your personal experiences, you will be able to access an 
onsite counselor/advocate. 

3. Introduction of Other Staff in Focus Group: 


Note Taker 

This is [insert name]. [Insert name] will be taking notes and recording what is 
said during the group discussion. 

[Insert name] will not write down any names in the notes. 

The notes from all the groups will be used to write a report that will be used to 
help our groups develop a plan for better services. This report will be seen by 
people within our organizations, our technical assistance provider who will 
assist us with writing the report, and our funder. 

Again, your names will not be mentioned in the report. 

We will also be digital/audio recording the discussion. This will help write down 
what you say accurately. Only people directly involved in writing the report will 
hear the audio recording. If you have something to say that you do not want 
recorded please let us know and we can turn the digital/ audio recorder off for 
that moment. 

Counselor 

This is [insert name]. [Insert name] is a counselor. Even though we are not 
talking about anything that happened to you that was an incident of domestic 
violence or sexual violence, talking about how easy or hard it is to get services 
are can bring up feelings. The counselor is here for any of you who would like to 
talk during or after the group today. [Insert name] will be sitting in [insert 
location]. 


Please feel free to leave the group to speak with her or take a break to take care 
of yourself if you need it. We will also have a list of local places that can help 
you available. 

Floater 

This is [insert name]. [Insert name] will be helping out in different ways during 
our discussion. DonÕt hesitate to ask [insert name] if you need any assistance 
like adjusting the temperature in the room, showing you where the counselor is 
etc. 

4. Confidentiality 


 

I want to go over some important information about confidentiality. If you have 
any questions please ask me. We will not talk about the names of the people 
who are here or connect anything you say to your name. 

We also ask that all of you to not share the names of anyone here or what they 
say. We want everyone to feel free to share their ideas and comments. We will 
do our best to keep everything said here confidential. We need to respect each 
otherÕs privacy. You must not talk about anything that other people said in this 
group after you leave. 

We will be preparing a final report of all the groups we are doing. This report 
will have no names in it and will be sent to our funders and the groups that are 
here. The services you receive will not change because of anything said in the 
group. 

If you talk to the counselor she will not tell anyone else, including [name of note 
taker] and myself what you talked about. 

There are a couple of reasons we might have to tell someone. In order to keep 
you and others safe, we may have to break confidentiality and tell someone else 
if you tell us that you are being abused, neglected or exploited. We may also 
have to break confidentiality if we learn that someone under 18 is being abused, 
abandoned or neglected. We will talk to you first before talking to others. 

5. Consent 



Remember, you can leave at any time if you change your mind or for any other 
reasons. There are no consequences if you choose to leave. You will be able to 
keep your gift card regardless of whether you finish the group. We will assume 
that if you are staying that you are freely agreeing to participate. 

6. Questions 


IÕll be asking you some questions. Again, there are no right or wrong answers. 

I wonÕt be calling on people, and you may choose to answer or not answer any 
question. IÕll be sure to pause in between each question to make sure that 
anyone who wants to speak has a chance. I ask that you respect what each 
person has to say even though you might not agree with it. Please do not 
interrupt other people before the finish talking. Take turns and let everybody 
talk who wants to talk. 

If, you agree with these things, please tell me or show me you understand by 
either nodding your head, giving me a thumbs up, or telling me some other way 
that you agree to this. 

Does anyone have any questions before we start? 

7. Concluding Statement 


Thank you so much for helping us. Thank you for answering our questions and 
sharing your opinions and ideas. If you would like any additional information, 
please ask one of us before you leave today and we will be glad to help. 

 

 


Focus Group Questions for Persons with Disabilities 

 

Hello and welcome. My name is ________, and I will be running the group and 
asking you a few questions today. The purpose of our group today is to find out 
from you what you think is helpful or not helpful when you are trying to get services 
in our community. There are no right or wrong answers. You can answer questions 
about any service you have received in the community and not just services from 
DIG.I am not going to call on people. You can choose to answer or not answer any 
question. I will wait after each question to make sure that anyone who wants to 
speak has a turn. 

IÕd now like to ask you to think about a place in your community where you feel 
comfortable, and that you can trust the staff that works there. For example: things 
staff does that make it easy for you to share what you need, to help with 
accommodations you need , help with any problems you may face, is easy for you 
to go there and easy for you to share personal information. IÕm going to ask you 
some questions to find out what organizations and their staff can do to help you 
feel comfortable, and trust the organization, and I want you think about this place 
when answering these questions. 

 

1. First, please think about the people who work there. What do they do to make 
you feel comfortable? 


 

. Do they know what they are doing? If so, how do you know? 


 

. Now think about the building. What about the building do you like? 
. Is it easy to get around? If yes, what makes it easy to get around? 
. Is it easy to find what you are looking for? If yes, what makes it 
easy? 




 

. Is there anything else that makes you feel comfortable about that place? 


 

 


Now, IÕd like to ask you to think about a place in your community that makes you 
feel uncomfortable, and that you cannot trust the staff that works there. For 
example: things that staff do that make it difficult for you to share your unique 
needs, accommodation requests, any challenges you may face, the physical space, 
or personal information. 

2. First, please think about the people who work there. Do the people that work 
there do something that makes you uncomfortable, and that you cannot trust 
them? 


 

. What do they do to make you feel uncomfortable? 


 

. Now think about the building. Is there something about the building or place 
that you donÕt like? 


 

. Is it hard to get around? If yes, what makes it hard to get around? 


 

. Is it hard to find what you are looking for? If yes, what makes it 
hard? 


 

. Is there anything else that makes you feel uncomfortable, or that 
you cannot trust about this place? 


 

I now would like to ask you some questions about getting help. We all need help 
sometimes, but it can be hard to ask for help from others. For these questions, 
please think about the last time you needed help from someone such as: someone, 
such as help calling someone or reading papers or getting somewhere? 

 

3. What made it easy for you to ask for the help you needed? 


 

. Did that person ask if you needed help? 




 

. Do you like it when people ask if you need help? 




 


. Is there anything else that these people do that makes it easy to ask for 
help if you want it? 




 

4. When you go somewhere in the community for services and people donÕt 
understand you and your disability, what is that like? 


 

. What happens? 


















 

. How do you know they do not understand you? 


















 

. How do you know they donÕt understand your disability? 


















 

. What didnÕt you like about what the person did to help? 


















 

5. What would you like people in the community to know about how to best 
support you? 


 

. What would be the most important thing you would teach them? 


 

6. How you find out about services you might need in our community such as how 
did you find your doctor? 


 

. Where are some places that you think it would be good to share 
information with people with disabilities on services that are available to 
them? (Prompts: Church Bulletin? Library? Stores? Internet?) 


 

. Who, if anyone, helps you find this information (Prompts: staff, friend, 
family, co-worker, counselor, case manager, or someone else)? 


 

Sometimes, agencies do things that make it difficult for people to get the 
information they need about services that are available to them. 

 

7. What kinds of things do agencies do that make it difficult for you to get 
information? 


 


. What about accommodations? Accessibility? Materials in different 
formats? 


 

. What would help you get the information that you need? 


 


Focus Group Questions for Sexual Assault 

 

We are going to be asking you some questions today, to help gain your insights as 
survivors of sexual violence. We kindly ask, that when answering these questions, 
please think about these questions through the lens of being a survivor of sexual 
violence. You can answer in terms of any service you have received in our 
community as a victim/survivor of sexual assault and donÕt have to limit your 
responses to your experience with the agency that recruited you to come today. 
We recognize and appreciate that you all have varied and dynamic experiences , 
but as much as possible during our limited time together today, please try and focus 
on the unique lens of being a survivor of sexual violence only. 

1. IÕd like to begin by asking you to think about what agencies or service provides 
do, to help make your experience positive when accessing services? 


 

. What about the physical space/location was positive? 


 

. What about the staff behavior, competency, and knowledge were 
positive? 


 

. What about confidentiality? 


 

. What about privacy? 


 

. What about the overall atmosphere, comfort level, and approachability 
was positive? 


 

. What about materials/resources? 


 

2. On the other hand, what has an agency or service provider done that 
contributed to making any part of your experience with them a negative one? 


 

 


. What about the physical space/location was negative? 




 

. What about the staff behavior, competency, and knowledge were 
negative? 




 

. What about confidentiality? 




 

. What about privacy? 




 

. What about the overall atmosphere, comfort level, and approachability 
were negative? 




 

. What about materials/resources? 




 

WeÕd now like to spend some time, gathering your insights on the concept of safety 
and comfort, as they are often important considerations for survivors of sexual 
violence when accessing services, and disclosing their experiences of sexual 
violence. We want to explore with you what organizations and service providers 
do, or donÕt do to help you to feel safe and comfortable disclosing your experiences 
of sexual violence, or contrarily, unsafe or inhibited in disclosing your experiences 
of sexual violence. 

3. What have organizations, or service providers done that have helped you to feel 
comfortable disclosing or talking about your experience of sexual violence? 


 

. What made you feel as if you could trust the organization or service 
providers enough to disclose? 


 

. What made you feel comfortable in sharing your experience of sexual 
violence within the organization? 


 

4. What have organizations, or service providers done that have made you feel 
unsafe? 


 


. What did they do that prevented you from trusting them or having 
confidence in them? 


 

. What made you feel uncomfortable, and that you could not share your 
experience of sexual violence with the organization? 


 

For the next series of questions, IÕd like to focus on gaining your insights on the 
concept of confidentiality, for survivors of sexual violence when accessing services, 
and disclosing their experiences of sexual violence. We want to explore what 
confidentiality means to you, and how organizations can consider their practices of 
confidentiality when serving survivors of sexual violence. 

5. To begin, what does confidentiality mean to you? 


 

. How important is confidentiality when youÕre seeking or receiving 
services? 




 

. In what instances would it be okay to share identifying information and 
the details of your experience of sexual violence with other 
organizations? 




 

. After signing a one-time release of information as part of an intake 
process, allowing the organization to release your information to 
anyone they deem necessary. 




 

. Or do you prefer to be asked prior to each time your information is 
going to be released, providing you with a choice as to whom you want 
the information released to? 




 

. Or, are you fine with an organization sharing your information any 
time? 




 

6. Next I would like to ask how you learned about services available to survivors of 
sexual violence. 



 

. Where are good places to distribute or provide information about the 
services available? (For example: Yellow pages online or hard copy, 
church/temple bulletins, library, retail stores, Internet search?) 




 

. In your opinion, which of these ways would be the best choice when 
reaching out to survivors of sexual violence to let them know of 
services available to them? 




 

 



Focus Group Questions for Domestic Violence 

 

We are going to be asking you some questions today, to help gain your insights as 
survivors of domestic violence. We kindly ask, that when answering these 
questions, please think about these questions through the lens of being a survivor 
of domestic violence. You can answer the questions in terms of any service you 
have received in our community as a victim/survivor of domestic violence, and 
donÕt have to limit your responses to your experience with the agency that 
recruited you to be here today. We recognize and appreciate that you all have 
varied and dynamic experiences, but as much as possible during our limited time 
together today, please try and focus on the unique lens of being a survivor of 
domestic violence only. 

1. IÕd like to ask you to think about what agencies or service provides do, to help 
make your experience positive when accessing services? 


 

. What about the physical space/location was positive? 


 

. What about the staff behavior, competency, and knowledge were 
positive? 


 

. What about safety? 


 

. What about confidentiality? 


 

. What about privacy? 


 

. What about the overall atmosphere, comfort level, and approachability 
was positive? 


 

. What about materials/resources? 


 


2. On the other hand, what has an agency or service provider done that 
contributed to making any part of your experience with them a negative one? 


 

. What about the physical space/location was negative? 




 

. What about the staff behavior, competency, and knowledge were 
negative? 




 

. What about safety? 




 

. What about confidentiality? 




 

. What about privacy? 




 

. What about the overall atmosphere, comfort level, and approachability 
were negative? 




 

. What about materials/resources? 




 

WeÕd now like to spend some time, gathering your insights on the concept of safety 
and comfort, as they are often important considerations for survivors of domestic 
violence when accessing services, and disclosing their experiences of domestic 
violence. We want to explore with you what organizations and service providers 
do, or donÕt do to help you to feel safe and comfortable disclosing your experiences 
of domestic violence, or contrarily, unsafe or inhibited in disclosing your 
experiences of domestic violence. 

3. What have organizations, or service providers done that have helped you to feel 
comfortable disclosing or talking about your experience of domestic violence? 


 

. What made you feel as if you could trust the organization or service 
providers enough to disclose? 


 


. What made you feel comfortable in sharing your experience of domestic 
violence within the organization? 


 

4. What have organizations, or service providers done that have made you feel 
unsafe? 


 

. What did they do that prevented you from trusting them or having 
confidence in them? 


 

. What made you feel as if you could not share your experience of domestic 
violence with the organization? 


 

For the next series of questions, IÕd like to focus on gaining your insights on the 
concept of confidentiality, for survivors of domestic violence when accessing 
services, and disclosing their experiences of domestic violence. We want to explore 
what confidentiality means to you, and how organizations can consider their 
practices of confidentiality when serving survivors of domestic violence. 

5. To begin, what does confidentiality mean to you? 


 

. How important is confidentiality when youÕre seeking or receiving 
services? 




 

. In what instances would it be okay to share identifying information and 
the details of your experience of domestic violence with other 
organizations? 




 

. After signing a one-time release of information as part of an intake 
process, allowing the organization to release your information to 
anyone they deem necessary? 


 

. Or do you prefer to be asked prior to each time your information is 
going to be released, providing you with a choice as to whom you 
want the information released to? 



 

. Or, are you fine with an organization sharing your information any 
time? 


 

6. IÕd like to also you about how you learned about services available to survivors 
of domestic violence? 


 

. Where are good places to distribute or provide information about the 
services available? (For example: Yellow pages online or hard copy, 
church/temple bulletins, library, retail stores, Internet search?) 


 

. In your opinion, which of these ways would be the best choice when 
reaching out to survivors to let them know of services available to them? 


 

 


Interview Questions for Executive Director 

 

Good morning / Good afternoon. Thanks for being a part of this interview. Your 
feedback and opinions are very important to our collaboration. 

 

IÕm ______ and IÕm here with Miami Inclusion Alliance (MIA) to facilitate our 
interview today. 

 

IÕd like to give you a brief overview of Miami Inclusion Alliance or MIA and put this 
interview into context. 

 

MIA is a collaborative group comprised of four community based organizations: 
DIG, MUJER, CVAC and Legal Aid. 

 

The collaboration was formed to help each of the organizations learn from one 
another and to improve each of our services that are being offered to community 
members who are victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who 
are persons with disabilities. 

 

The purpose of the project is to identify and create sustainable, systemic changes 
within our organizations that will result in exceptional services for persons with 
disabilities who have experienced domestic violence/sexual assault. 

 

We are currently in our planning and development stage of the project and are 
working on our Needs Assessment Plan. This Needs Assessment Plan will engage 
survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault and persons with disabilities through 
focus groups and Legal Aid management and staff through interviews like this one 
so we can better understand our organizations and improve service delivery. 

 

Do you have any questions about and our purpose here today? 

 

[Allow time for questions and answers] 

 

Before we get started, we have a few important points to make about 
confidentiality: 


. Although we will not use your individual name in our Needs Assessment 
Report, because of your unique position and perspectives, your comments 
as Executive Director may be identifiable and reviewed by others 
organizations. 


 

. We kindly ask that when responding to these questions, please think about 
your own role and responsibility within your organization. Speak to any 
experience where your programs or staff may have worked with someone 
with a disability. Additionally, please think about any hypothetical situations 
where you, your programs, or staff may work with an individual with a) 
disability. 


 

. The MIA project is working across the spectrum of disabilities. This means 
that we are looking at people with different types of disabilities, such as 
people with sensory disabilities like vision and hearing, people with cognitive 
or intellectual disabilities like down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders, 
people with physical disabilities like people that use wheelchairs, or people 
with mental health issues or PTSD. 


 

. I now have some questions I would like to ask you about Legal Aid and the 
services you provide, as they relate to serving persons with disabilities. 


 

Before we get started with our discussion, IÕd like to review some guidelines. 

 

. Regarding confidentiality, we would like you to refrain from using names in 
this process. For example, if you relate an experience that involves a 
colleague, survivor or individual you serve, please do not say that personÕs 
name when describing it. 


 

. While you do not have to comment on every question, your participation is 
greatly encouraged and appreciated. We are eager to hear from you and 
appreciate your full participation. 


 

. Are there any guidelines that you would like to add or any questions you 
might have? 



 

[Allow time for participant to provide input] 

 

IÕd like to start, by asking you about what challenges your organization faces in 
serving persons with disabilities. 

 

1. Are there any policies and procedures that impact your organizationÕs ability to 
serve this population? 


 

. Are there any formal mechanisms in place for staff to determine if someone 
needs an accommodation? 


 

. Is there anything regarding your organizationÕs culture that creates 
challenges to serving people at the intersection, such as stigma or 
assumptions? 


 

. What are some changes that you think should be made to meet any of 
the challenges youÕve listed so far to give your organization more 
support in responding and providing services to persons with 
disabilities. 


 

. What barriers do you foresee to making those changes? 


 

2. How does change happen at your organization? 


 

. What is the decision-making process? 




 

. How are policies and procedures created or changed? 




 

. How are decisions made regarding hiring personnel? 




 

. How are decisions about resource allocations made? 




 

3. In a time of limited resources, in what ways do you think your organization is 
able to support systems change to better serve persons with disabilities? 



. Funding or other resources? 




 

. Policies and procedures? 




 

. Organizational structure? 




 

. Accommodations? 




 

4. To what degree do you think this collaboration aligns with Legal AidÕs vision and 
strategic goals? 


 

5. How familiar is Legal Aid with the issue of domestic violence/sexual assault with 
persons with disabilities. 


 

. How well do the organizationÕs policies address this issue? 


 

. How well is domestic violence/sexual assault of persons with disabilities 
prioritized within the organization? 


 

Is there anything about the organizationÕs culture that could create a barrier to 
persons with disabilities who are also victims? 

 

6. Do you have any additional comments and/or feedback? 


 

 


Interview Questions for Management 

 

Good morning / Good afternoon. Thanks for being a part of this group. Your 
feedback and opinions are very important to our collaboration. 

 

IÕm ____and IÕm here with the Miami Inclusion Alliance (MIA) to facilitate our group 
today. 

 

IÕd like to give you a brief overview of the Miami Inclusion Alliance or MIA and put 
this focus group into context. 

 

MIA is a collaborative group comprised of four community based organizations: 
DIG, MUJER, CVAC, and Legal Aid. 

 

The collaboration was formed to help each of the organizations learn from one 
another and to improve each of our services that are being offered to community 
members who are persons with disabilities and are victims/survivors of domestic 
violence /sexual assault. 

 

The purpose of the project is to identify and create sustainable, systemic changes 
within our organizations that will result in exceptional services for persons with 
disabilities that have experienced domestic violence /sexual assault. 

 

We are currently in the planning and development stage of the project and are 
working on our Needs Assessment Plan. This Needs Assessment Plan will engage 
survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault, and persons with disabilities in focus 
groups and executive and direct services staff at Legal Aid through interviews so 
we can better understand our organizations and improve service delivery. 

 

We kindly ask that when responding to these questions, please think about your 
own role and responsibility within your organization. Speak to any experience 
where you, your programs or staff may have worked with someone with a 
disability. Additionally, please think about any hypothetical situations where you, 
your programs, or staff may work with an individual with a disability. 

 


The MIA project is working across the spectrum of disabilities. This means that we 
are looking at people with different types of disabilities, such as people with 
sensory disabilities like vision and hearing, people with cognitive or intellectual 
disabilities like down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders, people with physical 
disabilities like people that use wheelchairs, or people with mental health issues or 
PTSD. 

 

Does anyone have any questions about MIA and our purpose here today? 

 

Before we get started, we have a few important points to make about 
confidentiality: 

 

. Your participation in this focus group will not affect your status as an employee. 


 

. Although your personal identity will be kept confidential, the opinions and 
perspectives you share may be used in a Needs Assessment Report that will be 
reviewed by MIA. 


 

. It is highly encouraged that you all respect each otherÕs confidentiality, but MIA 
is not responsible for the actions of others, either inside or outside of the focus 
group process. 


 

. Based on MIA not being able to fully guarantee confidentiality, we encourage 
you not to reveal personal information you wish not to have shared with others. 


 

Before we get started with our discussion, IÕd like to review our group guidelines. 

 

. Regarding confidentiality, we would like everyone to refrain from using names 
in this process. For example, if you relate an experience that involves a 
colleague, survivor or individual we serve, please do not say that personÕs name 
when describing it. 


 

. We ask that what is said in this interview session stays in this group. Please do 
not speak about anyoneÕs involvement in the group as that would break their 
confidentiality. 



. When one person is talking, I would like for us all to refrain from interrupting or 
speaking over others. This will allow for an easy flow of conversation and 
enables everyone the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts. 


 

. No one will be pressured to comment on every question but your participation 
is greatly encouraged and appreciated. 


 

. We are eager to hear from everyone and full participation is our hope. 


 

. We will be together for about an hour. If you need to take a break, go ahead 
and do so. 


 

. We ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during this time so as not to 
distract yourself or others. Please take a moment now to set your phone settings 
appropriately. 


 

Are there any group guidelines that you would like to add or any questions you 
might have? 

 

[Allow time for participants to provide input]. 

 

I now have a question I would like to ask you about your organization and the 
services you provide, as they relate to serving persons with disabilities. 

 

1. What currently exists? 


 

. What policies and procedures are in place? A few examples might be, 
mandatory reporting or working with a person with a guardian. 




 

. What about your intake process? 




 

. What about a process for clients to request accommodations? 




 

. What about staff training? 




 


The next question is about how a person with a disability can receive services from 
your organization. MIA has adopted the EEOC definition of disability that is a 
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life 
activities of an individual, or a record of such impairment, or being regarded as 
having such an impairment. Someone is regarded as having a disability if others 
perceive that he or she lives with a physical or mental impairment that would 
otherwise qualify as a disability. An impairment is considered a disability if its 
duration is longer than 6 months. 

 

2. What does your organization currently do that ensures services are accessible 
to people with disabilities? 


 

. What processes does your organization have that creates an opportunity for 
a person with a disability to request an accommodation? 


 

. What do you think your organization could do to improve its accessibility to 
better serve people with disabilities? 


 

. Do you feel staff have what they need to meet accommodation requests? 


 

. Were you able to make adjustments or accommodations to your services to 
serve the individual better? 


 

. What made that possible (for instance, personal experience, training, 
policies and procedures?) 


 

For the next question, IÕd like to ask you about any challenges your organization 
faces in serving persons with disabilities. 

 

3. Are there any challenges within the culture of your organization that impacts 
serving persons with disabilities? Some examples: stigma, attitudes, and 
assumptions regarding people with disabilities? 


 

. Does guardianship challenge your ability to serve this population? If so, how? 


 


. Does the type of disability impact your ability to provide services? If so, how? 


 

. Is there anything you wish your organization had to better support persons 
with disabilities? Some examples might be: training, resources, or 
community relationships. 


 

. Is this an area you feel your organization should further invest in? 


 

4. What additional comments or feedback do you have for our collaboration? 


 

 

 


Interview Questions for Staff 

 

Good morning / Good afternoon. Thanks for being a part of this group. Your 
feedback and opinions are very important to our collaboration. 

 

IÕm ____and IÕm here with the Miami Inclusion Alliance to facilitate our group 
today. 

 

IÕd like to give you a brief overview of the Miami Inclusion Alliance or MIA and put 
this focus group into context. 

 

MIA is a collaborative group comprised of four community based organizations: 
DIG, MUJER, CVAC, and Legal Aid. 

 

The collaboration was formed to help each of the organizations learn from one 
another and to improve each of our services that are being offered to community 
members who are persons with disabilities and are victims/survivors of domestic 
violence /sexual assault. 

 

The purpose of the project is to identify and create sustainable, systemic changes 
within our organizations that will result in exceptional services for persons with 
disabilities that have experienced domestic violence /sexual assault. 

 

We are currently in the planning and development stage of the project and are 
working on our Needs Assessment Plan. This Needs Assessment Plan will engage 
survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault in focus groups and executive and 
direct services staff at Legal Aid through interviews so we can better understand 
our organizations and improve service delivery. 

 

We kindly ask that when responding to these questions, please think about your 
own role and responsibility within your organization. Speak to any experience 
where you, your programs or staff may have worked with someone with a 
disability. Additionally, please think about any hypothetical situations where you, 
your programs, or staff may work with an individual with a disability. 


The MIA project is working across the spectrum of disabilities. This means that we 
are looking at people with different types of disabilities, such as people with 
sensory disabilities like vision and hearing, people with cognitive or intellectual 
disabilities like down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders, people with physical 
disabilities like people that use wheelchairs, or people with mental health issues or 
PTSD. 

 

Does anyone have any questions about MIA and our purpose here today? 

 

Before we get started, we have a few important points to make about 
confidentiality: 

 

. Your participation in this focus group will not affect your status as an employee. 


 

. Although your personal identity will be kept confidential, the opinions and 
perspectives you share may be used in a Needs Assessment Report that will be 
available to the staff of the four organizations. 
. It is highly encouraged that you all respect each otherÕs confidentiality, but MIA 
is not responsible for the actions of others, either inside or outside of the focus 
group process. 


 

. Based on MIA not being able to fully guarantee confidentiality, we encourage 
you not to reveal personal information you wish not to have shared with others. 


 

Before we get started with our discussion, IÕd like to review our group guidelines. 

 

. Regarding confidentiality, we would like everyone to refrain from using names 
in this process. For example, if you relate an experience that involves a 
colleague, survivor or individual we serve, please do not say that personÕs name 
when describing it. 


 

. We ask that what is said in this interview session stays in this group. Please do 
not speak about anyoneÕs involvement in the group as that would break their 
confidentiality. 



. When one person is talking, I would like for us all to refrain from interrupting or 
speaking over others. This will allow for an easy flow of conversation and 
enables everyone the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts. 


 

. No one will be pressured to comment on every question but your participation 
is greatly encouraged and appreciated. 


 

. We are eager to hear from everyone and full participation is our hope. 


 

. We will be together for about an hour. If you need to take a break, go ahead 
and do so. 


 

. We ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during this time so as not to 
distract yourself or others. Please take a moment now to set your phone settings 
appropriately. 


 

Are there any group guidelines that you would like to add or any questions you 
might have? 

 

[Allow time for participants to provide input] 

 

I now have some questions I would like to ask you about your organization and the 
services you provide, as they relate to serving persons with disabilities. 

 

1. What exists within your organization, to help you to identify that you are 
working with a person with a disability? 


 

. What about policies and procedures? 




 

. What about the intake process? 




 

. What about the process for clients to request accommodations? 




 

. What about staff training? 




 


2. What exists within your organization to help you in responding to and meeting 
the needs of persons with disabilities? 


 

. What about staff training? 


 

. What resources were available at your organization? 


 

. What about your supervisor support? 


 

. What about other community relationships? 


 

. What about accessibility of services your organization provides? 


 

. What about the ability to meet the clientÕs accommodation requests? 


 

For the next set of questions, I would like you to think about a time in this 
organization when you responded to, or served an individual you feel may have 
had a disability and things did not go well for you. Once again, we will not be asking 
you to share the details of the case itself, but rather to think about it in relation to 
what types of things within your organization had an impact on the situation. Some 
examples are: policies and procedures, intake, case review, training, knowledge, 
resources, attitudes and stigma. 

 

3. What types of things within your organization, impacted your ability to best 
respond to and meet the needs of a person with a disability? 


 

. Lack of or inadequate training? 




 

. Lack of knowledge of resources? 




 

. Lack of accessibility of services? 




 

. Lack of knowledge of community partnerships? 
. Lack of the ability to meet the clientÕs accommodation requests? 




 


. Did the type of disability impact your ability to deliver services? If so, how? 




 

. (If relevant) Was there a dynamic of also working with a guardian in that 
situation? If so, what were those dynamics like and how did they create 
barriers to serving the person? 




 

. Did the relationship between the person if a victim and the perpetrator 
impact your service delivery? If so, how? 




 

. Anything else? 




 

For the next set of questions, IÕd like to ask you about any challenges your 
organization faces in serving persons with disabilities. 

 

4. What are some changes that you think should be made to any of the challenges 
youÕve listed so far to give your organization more support in responding and 
providing services to persons with disabilities. 


 

. What barriers do you foresee to making those changes? 




 

5. What do you want disability service providers to know about how to best serve 
victim/survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault? 


 

. If you were going to train (disability agency) staff, what would you put in the 
training curriculum to ensure they had the basics for responding to and 
serving victims/survivors? 


 

6. What additional comments or feedback do you have for our collaboration? 



Focus Group and Interview Debriefing Template 

 

1. Organization:_________________________ 


 

2. Group: 
. Victim/ domestic violence/sexual assault 
. Persons with disabilities 
. Executive Director 
. Management Staff 
. Staff 


 

3. Date of Focus Group/Interview: ________________________ 


 

4. Facilitator: __________________________________________ 


 

5. Notetaker: __________________________________________ 


 

6. Floater: ____________________________________________ 


 

7. Common themes: 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 




8. Common observations: 


 

 

 

 

 

 



 

9. Memorable Quotes: 


 

 

 

 

 

 



 

10. What are strengths in services? 


 

 

 

 

 

 



 

11. What are gaps in services?