7. Focus Group Interview Schedule
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Background to Participants
- 3. Costs of Blindness
- 4. Medical and Sensory Aid Equipment and Services
- 5. Communication
- 6. Accommodation
- 7. Domestic Activities
- 8. Transport/Mobility
- 9. Shopping
- 10. Education and Training
- 11. Employment
- 12. Sport, Recreation and Leisure
- 13. Social and Community
- 14. Final Comments
Page 31
A 'master' interview schedule was developed as the basis of the four interview schedules used to moderate each focus group. The 'master' was tailored as appropriate to each group. The 'working aged' topic guide is provided as an example.
1. Introduction
To Gravitas
To research objectives
Acknowledge importance/value of participation
To aims of the focus group - how the group will run
Group rules and understanding - good to have differences, respect all contributions, group confidentiality, use of audio tape
Timing and breaks
Any questions
Remind of availability of support services available through the RNZFB.
2. Background to Participants
I would like to start with a round of introductions. It would be useful to know a little more about everyone in the group
- who you are, where you are from
- your family/living situation
- what you do
- your eye condition and your current degree of vision
3. Costs of Blindness
Costs of blindness are defined as the extra costs incurred on a day-to-day basis as a direct consequence of being blind or vision impaired. Costs of blindness therefore include all costs above and beyond those that you would encounter if you didn't have vision impairment. It is useful to consider the
Page 32
costs of blindness as non-optional - that is, you do not have a choice in incurring the costs because of your blindness/vision impairment.
Costs of blindness can include money costs, time costs and opportunity costs - that is, the loss of time, income or opportunities due to your blindness or vision impairment.
Previous research concludes that there are multiple and diverse costs of blindness. Costs are likely to be individual to different people - we are not expecting that costs will be the same for everyone in the group.
We encouraged you to think about the costs of blindness you have experienced before coming to the group today/tonight.
What types of costs did you think about?
Brain storm and write down, encourage general discussion about the type of costs being identified. Group costs into broad cost types and feed these back to the group
Ask the group to identify, which if, any of the broad types of the costs they would consider to be particularly significant for them.
For each identified PROBE:
- why costs are considered significant;
- whether others share similar views - why/why not ?
I would now like to discuss specific cost areas in more depth.
Spilt groups into smaller discussion groups (divide topics areas to discuss between the groups)
4. Medical and Sensory Aid Equipment and Services
What types of extra, non-optional costs do you have in this area? (Brainstorm, encourage a reasonably quick round of contributions)
PROBE:
- financial (who incurs the costs - individual, government, other);
- time;
- costs to others?
Page 33
5. Communication
Can we consider extra, non-optional costs associated with day to day communication (excluding at this stage employment related communication)
How does your blindness/vision impairment impact generally on your ability to communicate with others?
PROBE:
- key challenges and difficulties
What communication methods are used to communicate with others or to send information? (e.g. tapes, email, telephone) (Brainstorm, encourage a reasonably quick round of contributions)
What specific equipment or aids are required for this communication?
What extra, non-optional costs are incurred as a result of these communication methods?
PROBE:
- financial (individual, government, other);
- time;
- costs to others?
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
What communication methods are used to receive information? (e.g. scanners, talking books, adaptive IT, radio, TV). (Brainstorm, encourage a reasonably quick round of contributions)
What specific equipment or aids are required for this communication?
What extra, non-optional costs are incurred from these communication methods?
PROBE:
- financial (individual, government, other);
- time;
- costs to others?
Page 34
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
What, if any, other assistance is received from others to help with communication? (e.g. reading mail)
PROBE:
- who;
- how often;
- financial costs;
- time costs?
Do you feel you experience any limitations or restrictions in communication because of your vision impairment/blindness?
PROBE:
- what is missed out on;
- what impact does this have?
6. Accommodation
I would now like to talk about costs associated with accommodation.
What influence, if any, does your blindness/vision impairment have on your accommodation requirements or considerations?
PROBE:
- location of house;
- type of area lived in;
- type of housing/section required;
- living arrangements;
- need for alterations etc
What extra, non-optional costs are associated with these requirements/considerations?
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
Has your vision impairment/blindness ever influenced any other accommodation decisions made in the past? (e.g. requirement to move when wouldn't have done so otherwise).
Page 35
PROBE:
- have these resulted in extra costs?
7. Domestic Activities
Can we focus now on your day to day activities around the home and the extra, non-optional costs associated with these activities?
How does blindness/vision impairment impact generally on daily activities around the home?
What special aids and equipment are used to assist around the home?
Brainstorm, encourage a reasonably quick round of contributions - group into main types. Feedback and discuss with group main types identified.
For each type PROBE:
- whether others in the group also use/have;
- costs incurred;
- how costs are met (e.g. personally, government support etc)
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
What types of domestic assistance do people receive within the home (e.g. cleaning, cooking, gardening, maintenance)
Brainstorm, encourage a reasonably quick round of contributions - group into main types. Feedback and discuss with group main types identified.
For each PROBE:
- do others receive similar assistance;
- how often;
- financial cost ;
- how costs are met (e.g. personally, government support etc)
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
Do you believe any activities within the home take longer to undertake compared to sighted people (if appropriate discuss in relation to when previously sighted).
Page 36
PROBE:
- types of activities;
- examples;
- impact on other aspects of life.
8. Transport/Mobility
I would like to now discuss extra, non-optional costs associated with transport and mobility.
What general challenges or difficulties are faced in relation to transport and mobility?
PROBE:
- what impact - time and opportunity costs;
- examples?
Are any types of transport used more frequently than others?
PROBE:
- why favored/necessary;
- extent use is considered non-optional.
For each main type of transport identified:
What types of extra, non-optional costs are incurred?
PROBE:
- financial;
- time;
- opportunity;
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
What other personal assistance is received to assist with transport/mobility?
PROBE:
- who;
- how often;
- costs incurred (time, money, opportunity)?
Page 37
9. Shopping
We can talk now about extra, non-optional costs associated with shopping...
What types of shopping do people personally undertake (whether alone or with others)?
Brainstorm - ask for reasonably quick round of contributions - write types down and group into main types - e.g. grocery, personal, gifts, etc
Feedback and discuss with group the main types of shopping identified - note any obvious trends/patterns.
For each main type of shopping identified:
How is this type of shopping undertaken?
PROBE:
- where;
- with whom;
- assistance received?
What, if any, extra, non-optional costs are incurred?
PROBE:
- cost;
- time;
- opportunity.
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
For types of shopping not undertaken
PROBE:
- why is this;
- how/who undertakes this shopping?
Are there any other shopping activities, experiences or opportunities restricted or not pursued? Why is this?
Page 38
10. Education and Training
I would like to talk now about extra, non-optional costs associated with education and training undertaken after having left school.
What sorts of education/training have people undertaken or are currently undertaking?
What types of considerations or needs have influenced your decision to complete or commence this education/training?
PROBE:
- influence of blindness/vision impairment.
What other challenges or difficulties are there in undertaking education/training?
PROBE:
- examples.
What extra equipment, support and other assistance is required to undertake education/training?
PROBE:
- adaptive technology;
- conversion of course materials/accessible format production;
- personal assistance;
- family support.
PROBE:
- extra, non-optional costs incurred from each of the above
Has blindness/vision impairment impacted in any other way on your education attainment or opportunities?
PROBE:
- restricted range and type of training/education;
- level of attainment;
- confidence/belief in ability.
Page 39
11. Employment
Let's talk now about extra, non-optional costs associated with employment.
Can we start by reminding group members again of the type of employment we are in and whether we work fulltime, part time and whether we are employed by someone or whether we are self employed.
PROBE:
- when blindness/vision impairment occurred and relationship to employment situation;
- how long in current job?;
- previous employment?
What general challenges or difficulties have been experienced in relation to planning and achieving employment/career goals?
What extra, non-optional costs have been incurred in the past in order to get you to your current employment situation? These may be costs to you, your employer, the government or other people.
PROBE:
- adaptive technology;
- workplace modifications;
- re-training;
- time costs.
- As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
What, if any, extra, non-optional costs are incurred on a daily basis within your employment situation? These may be costs to you, your employer, the government or other people.
PROBE:
- travel to and from employment;
- adaptive technology/accessible format production;
- workplace modifications;
- time costs (extra time to complete work).
- As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
Page 40
Previous research has identified opportunity costs as a major employment related costs of blindness. This includes things like lost income potential, restricted or reduced employment opportunities and so on. Do you consider yourselves to have experienced such costs or lose as a result of your blindness/vision impairment?
PROBE:
- income - lost income;
- unrealised future earning potential;
- loss of other benefits (e.g. superannuation entitlements);
- employment options/opportunities/aspirations;
- employment/performance expectations from others;
- promotion/advancement opportunities.
12. Sport, Recreation and Leisure
What types of sport, recreation and leisure activities do people take part in?
Brainstorm - ask for reasonably quick round of contributions - write types down and group into main types
Feedback and discuss with group the main areas of sport, recreation and leisure engaged in - note any obvious trends/patterns.
What, if any, difficulties or challenges are faced in taking part in these types of sport, recreation and leisure activities.
PROBE:
- amount of time available for sport, recreation and leisure;
- examples.
What, if any, extra, non-optional costs are incurred in taking part in sport, recreation and leisure activities?
PROBE:
- financial;
- assistance;
- equipment costs;
- time costs;
- costs to others (time or financial).
As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional
Page 41
Are there any sport, recreation and leisure activities, experiences or opportunities restricted or not pursued because of your blindness/vision impairment?
PROBE:
- what barriers exist;
- what opportunity costs are experienced;
- what impact from these?
13. Social and Community
I am wondering whether group members would consider blindness to have "social costs" and if so, what sort of costs would you consider these to include?
PROBE:
- social activities;
- social relationships/interaction;
- family relationships;
- relationships with partner (relationship breakdown)?
- For each identified, discuss types of costs incurred (e.g. time, financial, opportunity, emotional, other) and impacts. As required, discuss to clarify how costs are extra and non-optional.
Come back as full group
14. Final Comments
Are there any other costs of blindness which we haven't discussed today/tonight and which you feel are important?
PROBE:
- what type of costs;
- when/where incurred?;
- what impact?;
- examples?
Thank and close