L. Simon-Rusinowitz, K.J. Mahoney, D.M. Shoop, S.M. Desmond. M.R. Squillace, R.A. Fay, and Jo-Ann Sowers. University of Maryland Center on Aging. Project site conducted a survey to assess the interest of adults with developmental disabilities in a cash allowance and information services program. The authors report the findings and discuss how they, along with other CCDE findings, can inform consumer information efforts and policymakers.
Consumers use the allowances to purchase services, assistive devices, and home modifications.
This report discusses a telephone survey conducted to assess the interest of Florida consumers with developmental disabilities in the cash option vs. traditional services. The survey findings were used to formulate questions for postsurvey focus groups and marketing recommendations. Consumers and surrogates interested in the cash option also differed from those not interested in terms of program features they considered attractive and services they wanted to purchase. Most consumers and surrogates wanted help and training in tasks associated with the cash option, but interested consumers and surrogates were even more likely to want them. Similarly, most consumers wanted more information, but interested and unsure consumers were more likely to say they needed more.