Ricability has carried out in depth (qualitative) and large scale (quantitative) surveys of various kinds since its founding in the early 60s. It regularly employs a small core of social research interviewers and specialists who moderate focus groups or use other exploratory techniques. Fieldwork for large scale surveys are subcontracted to survey research agencies.
Ricability is well placed, with its statistical consultants, to advise on the tricky question of finding samples of disabled people and on questions of representativeness which flow from it. All our survey questionnaires are designed and written by our own staff, and tested by carrying out pilot surveys. Alternative means of communicating with people are used wherever respondents would have difficulty taking part in a conventional survey. We have considerable experience in ensuring that survey research methodologies are inclusive and that all disabled people are able to take part in the research. We have experience of communicating with people with visual impairments, hearing and speech disabilities and designing surveys specifically to meet the needs of these groups. Ricability’s Director is a full member of the Market Research Society and all research carried out by the organisation follows the MRS Code of Conduct
Techniques regularly used include:
- telephone surveys
- face to face interviews
- surveys which use self completion questionnaires
- focus groups
- in depth interviews
- ‘mystery shopping’
Ricability surveys have included:
- evaluation of the Disability Rights Commission helpline
- survey of registered social landlords
- survey of disabled motorists
- survey of disabled parents
- in depth research amongst disabled teenagers
- survey of wheelchair users
For further information on using research to identify needs, as well as the basic research toolkit, see Ricability's report Guidelines for product design and testing.
