A Qualitative Look at Serious Legal Problems for People with Disabilities in Central Canada

Appendix 3: Focus Group Guide

General tips and things to keep in mind

Managing Time

Throughout the focus group it is important the facilitator manages the time to ensure all topics are covered. However, the facilitator is free to use their judgment here. The group may be more interested in discussing certain sections, or issues may arise that require more time.

Observing and noting the mood

What is not said is sometimes just as relevant as what is said. Be sure to make note of participants’ mood. Are people reluctant to discuss things? Are some discussions more difficult than others? Do participants seem uninterested in some questions?

If and when a question receives a lot of interest from participants, please note this as well. Also try and note if there is consensus around an issue or general agreement among the group.

Breaks can be helpful, and a facilitator should suggest a short break at the halfway point. Ensure participants know they can leave at any time should they require additional breaks.

Making all participants feel comfortable and welcome

The facilitator is encouraged to use concrete examples and plain language whenever possible to help facilitate and encourage dialogue. If the group is unfamiliar with certain concepts, take the time to explain these at the beginning. It is also helpful to let all participants know that they can ask for clarification at any time.

Part of making our participants feel comfortable is using clear and plain-language examples of legal issues. While some have been highlighted in this guide, each focus group may require particular or different examples. DAWN will work with each partner in advance of the focus groups to provide ample plain-language examples geared to our participants.

Sharing results

It is important to use the reporting template to share your results. As well, feel free to include examples they have shared, keywords or phrases, important quotes (without identifying individuals) and so on.

Discussion Guide Questions

Introduction – suggested time 5-10 minutes

To begin, the facilitator and participants introduce themselves.

As well, this provides the facilitator with an opportunity to share information about the project, and explain what participants can expect from the focus group and the general format of the group.

Suggested process

  1. The facilitator should welcome all participants and introduce themself and the purpose of the focus group.
  2. Have participants each introduce themself. To engage people, the facilitator may want to ask each participant to briefly share something about themself as it relates to their interest in or expertise on this topic.
  3. Share the ground rules for the focus group—to let people share, speak and feel respected, and so on.

Note: There will likely be overlap between the three areas explored. Be flexible and open to capturing the thoughts people share when and as they are comfortable sharing them.

Questions

Part 1: Experience of legal problems in the last three years – 25 minutes

Participants need to know that…

Legal problems are problems that can be resolved through the legal system.

Serious legal problems are any legal issues you may have encountered that were hard to solve.

Examples of legal problems can include:

Part 2: Seeking resolution – 25 minutes

Now that we know what kinds of legal problems you have encountered, we will shift to talking about how you resolved these or tried to resolve them.

Examples of seeking resolution:

  1. Did you understand what you should do or was the process unclear?
  2. How did you resolve your legal problem and who else was involved (in as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing)?
  3. What shaped the decisions you made about seeking resolution? Be as specific as you can, including whether money was a factor in your decision (being able to afford a lawyer), what advice you received and from whom you received it, whether you were concerned because your problem involved someone in a position of power, what the resolution process was like (formal, informal, did you go to court or mediation, and so on), your knowledge of the law, and whether you felt you would be believed.

Note: Because the experiences of people with disabilities in the legal system are often fraught with barriers, it is important to remain supportive and provide prompts to help individuals identify aspects of the process they may not have considered out loud prior to this conversation. There will likely be overlap in terms of impacts this process had on individuals. Be flexible and let the conversation flow.

Before moving on, briefly summarize the key information captured. It is critical, when possible, to check back with the group to ensure you fully understood their disability-related barriers.

Part 3: Impacts – 25 minutes

While impacts have likely been noted throughout, use this block to provide prompts for aspects participants may not have considered yet and to check in with the group to ensure you are capturing these complex impacts in the ways they intended.

Examples of impacts:

  1. In your own words, please share what the impacts of this legal issue were for you. Share as much as you feel comfortable sharing.
  2. Thinking about all we have talked about today, are there other things you think people who want to understand legal problems for people with disabilities should know?