About | Canadian Disability Policy Alliance

PDSA Method for Change in Disability Policy

The CDPA has adopted three basic assumptions in its unique application of the learning collaborative methodology. They are:

The policy framework we have is perfectly designed to produce the system as we know it. This means that the problems people experience are often linked to policies at the Provincial or Federal level that inspire unintended consequences or tensions with policy from other jurisdictions. When things are not working we need to look upstream and change policy to see improvement at the service delivery level.

The information we need to make things better is already out there - we just need to synthesize it and get it into the hands of the right people.

We have the right partners at the table to do this work! Both community and academic partners have unique skills and networks to make the PDSA cycle effective.

CDPA Method in Detail

PLAN:

Community partners elaborate problems experienced by people with disabilities in the community
Researchers and policy partners track the problem back to its origins in policy
Researchers assemble the knowledge / evidence that is currently available on the topic
Policy partners help to identify any current initiatives within government on this issue, the information that would be most helpful to policy makers, and receptors for the information
Community partners provide feedback on utility of information / evidence
Partners collaborate to produce information products and knowledge mobilization activities suitable to the problem at hand

DO:

Community partners use their expertise and contacts in the community to form alliances where necessary, develop appropriate contacts, and mobilize knowledge into the hands of decision-makers
Utilize best practices in knowledge translation to promote equity and enhance opportunities for participation of people with disabilities.

STUDY:

Researchers develop methods to gather outcome information regarding the "Do" cycle, monitor effectiveness of knowledge mobilization and advocacy strategies

ACT:

From the various strategies attempted, select the most effective in terms of affecting policy and promoting a positive environment for people with disabilities, and seek to disseminate them more broadly, to different jurisdictions, to different populations, internationally, etc.