Proqualis

On behalf of the Upper Austrian Government, the Competence Network conducted peer interviews in facilities providing support for people with disabilities in Upper Austria as part of the Proqualis project from 2012 to 2025. The Competence Network KI-I developed survey instruments in Easy-to-Read for various tasks. Interviews were conducted in nearly all disability support facilities in Upper Austria, particularly in the areas of employment and housing.

The peer interviewers conducted the interviews independently. The results were scientifically analyzed and subsequently prepared and presented in Easy-to-Read. This made it possible to directly capture the perspectives of the people interviewed and utilize them for quality improvement.

A key component of the project was the collaboration between the peer interviewers and the KI-I’s multidisciplinary team. Together, they developed tools for managing the questionnaires, collecting data and analyzing the results, and for the semi-automated generation of analysis reports in Easy-to-Read.

A standardised questionnaire was used for this investigation, based on the active emancipatory method. That means that people with disabilities were involved in all phases of research, development and implementation. The questionnaire was developed in close cooperation with representatives of the target group.
The contents of the questionnaire were strongly geared to the living environment of the people concerned and had the dimensions self-determination, security, normalisation, advancement, assistance and privacy. Furthermore the questions were in Easy-to-Read and specially adjusted to the needs of the target group.

These technical and organizational solutions also enabled peer interviewers with cognitive impairments to perform their duties largely independently and professionally. In doing so, Proqualis not only created a quality assurance tool but also provided concrete employment and inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities.

Following the guideline "Is everything okay or is there room for improvement?" the multi-professional team of Proqualis checked the quality of services for people with disabilities. This was done by direct questioning of the clients of services for people with disabilities.

Proqualis followed the peer-principle: The evaluators were themselves clients of services for people with disabilities. They had successfully completed a 3-year training to be quality-evaluators and they offered an interview between peers to the interviewees.

By actively involving the target group in this way, the evaluation of the quality of services for people with disabilities made a significant contribution to improving quality management and the customer satisfaction in facilities that provide services for people with disabilities.

In addition to the peer interviews, the Proqualis team supported the State of Upper Austria in planning and conducting accessible events. Furthermore, presentations and training sessions on current topics were developed and held, including one on the topic of “The Courage to Embrace Inclusive Employment.”

Over many years, Proqualis served as an important partner to the Department of Social Affairs of the Upper Austrian Government, combining scientific quality assurance, technical innovation, and active inclusion.