An interdisciplinary approach to the development of accessible computer-administered measurement instruments

Publication date: Available online 4 September 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Susan Magasi, Mark Harniss, Allen W. Heinemann
Principles of fairness in testing require that all test takers, including people with disabilities, have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their capacity in the construct being measured. Measurement design features and assessment protocols can pose barriers for people with disabilities. Fairness in testing is a fundamental validity issue at all phases in the design, administration and interpretation of measurement instruments in clinical practice and research. There is limited guidance for instrument developers in how to develop and evaluate the accessibility and usability of measurement instruments. This paper describes a 6-stage iterative process for developing accessible computer-administered measurement instruments based on our work in several major measurement initiatives. Interdisciplinary teams of accessibility experts, content and measurement experts, information technology experts and people with disabilities should work together to ensure that measurement instruments are accessible and usable by a wide range of users. The development of accessible measurement instruments is not only an ethical requirement, it also ensures better science by minimizing measurement bias, missing data, and attrition due to mismatches between the target population and test administration platform and protocols.



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