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Information Technology Customer Research Study 2009

MarketResponse International has conducted a survey of 382 Minnesota households that have members with and without disabilities. The purpose of this survey was to obtain measures about access to; and adoption, use and the perceived benefits of information technologies; satisfaction with state government websites; and attitudes about information technologies among people with disabilities compared with the general population in the state of Minnesota. This survey is available in several formats:
     Flash (PowerPoint)   PDF   Text Only   Executive Summary (HTML)

Innovative Employers in Minnesota Presentation

MarketResponse International conducted a nominations process to identify Minnesota businesses that are using innovative employment practices in hiring people with developmental disabilities and promoting an inclusive work environment. Forty-five nominations were received and 11 businesses were selected. On October 1, 2008, these employers and their employees were recognized. Profiles of the businesses are available in several formats:
       Flash (PowerPoint)   PDF    Text Only    Press Release (PDF)
         Employment Honorees Photo Presentation: Flash (PowerPoint)   PDF
         Document Imaging Presentation: Flash (PowerPoint)   PDF
         News Segment from Cable Channel 12 Business Beat on Noble Parkway Mobil
         News Segment from Cable Channel 12 Business Beat on Golden Valley Byerly's

Information Technology Insights Focus Groups

In May 2008, six focus groups were conducted by Bill Harreld, Quality Culture Institute, to learn how youth with and without disabilities are accessing and using technology, and their perspectives on the future of technology based on predictions that Bill Gates made in 2007.  A total of 88 young adults participated in the focus groups. More...

1962-2007 Public Opinion Poll Results

In 1962, the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare contracted with Social Issues Research, Inc. to conduct 900 face to face interviews with a sample of Minnesotans that was in close approximation to the 1960 Census.

The purpose of the study was to "determine what salience does the problem of mental retardation have for the people of Minnesota?" The Arc of Minnesota was a major partner in this effort. The results were intended to be used to design a community education program to alter misconceptions about people with mental retardation.

Forty five years later, the staff of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities  discovered a copy of the study while creating an online archive, Parallels in Time, Part 2. The original study, "Survey of Information and Attitudes Regarding Mental Retardation In Minnesota" may be downloaded here. (PDF)

The Council then contracted with MarketResponse International to conduct a similar study — 800 phone interviews were made with a sample of Minnesotans that was in close approximation to the 2005 Census. The purpose of the study was to measure attitudinal changes of the general population in Minnesota during the past 45 years.

The Arc of Minnesota, The Autism Society of Minnesota, Self Advocates of Minnesota, The State Council on Disability, and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota are major partners in this effort.

On February 22, 2007 the results of the opinion poll were released and are presented here (Flash format). Also available as PDF and text-only.

This is the final version of the 1962-2007 Public Opinion Poll and includes the Attitudinal Segmentation Analysis. (Flash format. Also available as PDF and text-only.

1962 Study: Survey of Information and Attitudes Regarding Mental Retardation In Minnesota

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is in the process of developing a new Five-year State Plan. The direction of the Plan will reflect what people with developmental disabilities and their families, service providers and front line staff believe are the important issues to be addressed and where positive changes can be made in services and service delivery systems over the next five years. Two surveys were conducted to assist with this process — The Individual Survey (PDF) (Text version) was based on the Quality of Life survey conducted in 2000; and measured levels of independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion among people with developmental disabilities. The Provider Survey (PDF) (Text version) collected input from service providers on areas of emphasis and levels of satisfaction with those areas of emphasis. The surveys are supported by qualitative statements (PDF) (Text version), input and the personal quotes intended to supplement the quantitative results that are presented in the reports.

In addition to the input from the Individual and Provider surveys conducted by MarketResponse International, visits were scheduled in eight regions of the state to talk with people with developmental disabilities, families, advocates, program managers, and front line staff. The purpose of these meetings was to listen to the people who are receiving and providing services, to learn about the issues that are important to them, and to gather their ideas and suggestions on where and how services and supports could be improved. The notes taken during these meetings and interviews — the qualitative statements (PDF) (Text version) — were then organized into categories. This input and the personal quotes are intended to supplement the quantitative results that are presented in the report prepared by MarketResponse International.

Employer Survey (PDF) (text version) The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disability has completed a survey of 600 Minnesota employers across a broad range of organizations and businesses. The purpose of the survey was to identify and measure issues and perceptions that are barriers to increasing the employment of people with disabilities.

Quality of Life Survey (PDF) (Text Version) The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities conducted a quality assessment in 2000, to determine how people with developmental disabilities evaluate the quality of services they receive from the array of service providers, and what obstacles they may face in their day to day living. The survey results were published in 2001.

Consumer Directed Community Supports Survey (PDF) (Text Version) In April, 2002, MarketResponse International conducted a survey of the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) program offered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Survey results indicate the program has been successful and appreciated by participants with a total of 93% giving CDCS a satisfaction rating of 5, 6, or 7 on a seven point scale.

Electronic Government Services Survey (PDF) (Text Version) The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities wants to support the advancement of Electronic Government Services (EGS), and increase the number of their primary customers who use EGS. From the government's viewpoint, EGS improves efficiency, accountability and responsiveness of government agencies while reducing costs. From the customer's viewpoint, EGS gives the citizen choice, convenience and control over relationships with government.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the current state of EGS, and develop an understanding of the needs, requirements, expectations and desires of customers related to EGS.

Minnesota Health Care Opinion Poll (PDF) (Text Version) The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Minnesota Board on Aging commissioned MarketResponse International to gather opinions from Minnesotans regarding their current feelings on many key issues related to health care.