Use of MQE
The MQE might be useful in a variety of domains, such as in the habilitation, rehabilitation, social participation and exercise of human rights of people with disabilities.
Based on the point of view of the person or respondent, the MQE measures the quality of social and physical factors making up the environment in which the person develops. The information collected using the MQE can support carrying out individualized intervention plans, program evaluation initiatives, service development, research activities, etc.
If two or more environmental profiles have been produced at different times, it is possible to compare the results obtained and to note the differences in the quality of the environment. Observed variations inform you about the perceived changes in terms of facilitators and obstacles on the accomplishment of life habits.
The measurement scale
The Measure of the quality of the environment (MQE) questionnaire format includes a question that must be asked for all environmental. It identifies whether an environmental factor in a setting is considered by the person to be a facilitator or an obstacle.
The level of influence of the environment is assessed using a numerical scale comprising seven possible levels of influence: obstacle (major, average, minor, no influence, facilitator (minor, average, major). It ranges from a negative score (from -3 to -1) when there is an obstacle to a positive score (1 to 3) when there is a facilitator and includes a neutral score (0) when the environmental factor has no impact on daily activities or social roles.
Application of the MQE
At the Individual level
Individualized intervention plans
The use of the MQE allows the identification of the environmental factors significantly influencing the accomplishment of a daily activity or a social role, or of all of the life habits. It constitutes a useful tool in the development of individualized intervention plans centered on the life plan of the person. The MQE also helps to determine if a new individualized intervention plan should be formulated following changes observed in the environment of a person.
At the collective level
Program evaluation
Information about perceived facilitators and obstacles makes it possible to obtain an overall knowledge of the environment in which various clienteles evolve. This information can help orient and modify the service provider offer according to the environmental factors categories having a significant influence on the accomplishment of life habits.
Information about perceived facilitators and obstacles can also be used as an indicator of program effectiveness through a process of continuous evaluation. Such data may facilitate decision making in program and services improvement, as well as to make the rendering of accounts easier.
Scientific research
Information about the perceived facilitators and obstacles makes it possible to draw up a portrait of the environment in which various clienteles evolve. The MQE supports the evaluation of interventions effectiveness while helping determine their positive or negative impacts on the accomplishment of life habits.
At the population level
Policy development
The realization and the follow-up of environmental profiles of populations with disabilities inform the decision makers if the implemented programs support or limit social participation. The MQE also supports the formulation, adoption and amendment of policies according to the quality of environment, understood in terms of facilitators and obstacles.
Population surveys
The use of the MQE gives general and complementary information, regarding the influence of the environment on the social participation of people with disabilities. It makes it possible to evaluate the changes which have occurred in the environment, understood in terms of facilitators and obstacles, over a given period.