Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common Question About the Project
- A survey to learn more about how to help older adults and people who have a physical, intellectual, or development disability receiving services in Wisconsin.
- Interviewers meet with people over Zoom video conference to get feedback on the services and assistance they receive.
- To gather opinions and experiences of individuals who receive services through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Feedback will be used to continue making the services and supports more responsive to the needs of people who receive services and supports.
- The funding for this work comes from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provided Vital Research with a list of people receiving assistance throughout the state.
- The interview takes 45 minutes to one hour
- Remote accommodations will be made for participants to complete the survey, if necessary. Remote options can be provided at the time your interview is scheduled.
- Absolutely! The answers you provide will not be shared with any of the people who are responsible for your services or are paid to help you.
- Participation is voluntary - you can choose to take part, or you can say no. Your choice will not change the services you receive.
- You do not have to answer any questions if you do not want to.
- Only legal guardians can refuse on behalf of a person.
- Case managers and staff members in group homes and residential care facilities such as nursing homes cannot refuse on behalf of a person.
- If a person is unable to communicate in any way, a legal guardian, family member, or friend can answer some questions for them.
- The interview is designed for adults of all ages and people with varying abilities.
- Interviewers are given training on how to interview people with different abilities and ways of communicating.
- Interviewers learn about different communication styles and how to make people feel safe when talking with them.
- It is important to talk directly with the person who is receiving services.
- Opinions of families and staff are important but they provide different perspectives.
- If the service recipient is unable or unwilling to respond, a proxy respondent may answer some of the questions on their behalf.
- The survey asks for your opinions about your quality of life and the services you receive (e.g., about your provider, living arrangement, direct care staff, choices of activities, employment, your health and safety).
- If some questions do not apply to you, they can be skipped.
- Because we are talking with a large number of people, the questions ask about things that are likely to apply to almost everyone.
- Absolutely not. Your responses are confidential and will not affect the services you receive in any way.
- Call the interviewer who contacted you or call the Vital Research Project Team at (800) 801-4194 (toll-free).
Common Question from Guardians
- Absolutely! All survey responses are confidential and are not linked to you or the individual receiving services in any way. No one at the state, county, or provider agencies will know how each person responds.
- All personal information about you and the person for whom you are the legal guardian to is kept private and confidential.
- Please go to the Documents page to view a copy of the documents provided by the state for more details.
- As the legal guardian, you may be present during the remote interview and assist in answering some of the questions if needed.
- If an individual is unable or unwilling to respond, the interviewer will switch to a “proxy” version of the survey, which allows you to answer on behalf of the individual.
- If you are unable to be present during the remote interview and would like to recommend another person who can serve as a proxy if assistance is needed, please inform the interviewer during scheduling.
- Interviewers are trained to conduct the interviews with older adults and adults with disabilities. Communication or other assistance that you might provide during the meeting is appreciated and can also be shared with the interviewer during scheduling.