CONSUMERS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AS SERVICE EVALUATORS

Consumer views of public services are now recognised as an integral pa rt of auditing. While previously consumers with an intellectual disabi lity have been seen as passive recipients of services, a research lite rature is emerging which has modified this view. This paper aims to re view the relevant literature and focuses on the methods used to gather consumer views of public services. Areas of application have included residential, day and therapeutic services, lost studies have found th at given adequate opportunities and effective interview methods, peopl e with intellectual disabilities can be informative, critical and reli able service evaluators. Some recommendations for optimising valid and reliable consumer views are given.