Interviewer instructions
Question 207: Difficulty Carrying out Activities
The intention of this question is to obtain information about the number of disabled persons (functional disability) or those who have some difficulty in carrying out their day to day activities. Ask one by one how normal are the five physical and psychological functions of each household member to learn if they have difficulty: (a) to see, (b) to hear, (c) to walk, (d) to remember, to concentrate or communicate and (e) to take care of themselves.
Put a mark in one of the ovals for each item that indicates the level of difficulty: (1) None, (2) Some, or (3) Severe.
[Graphic illustrating example is not presented here.]
1. Seeing, even though eyeglasses are worn
A person is said to have difficulty seeing if at a distance of 30 cm and with sufficient lighting, he/she cannot see clearly shape, size or color. In the case where even though a person uses an aid (eyeglasses) he/she still has difficulty seeing, then this person is categorized as having difficulty. But, if a person using glasses can see normally, then that person is categorized as not having difficulty.
[p.118]
Those having difficulty seeing include:
a. Totally blind is the condition where there is no vision in either eye.
b. Low vision is the condition where both eyes cannot count the fingers that are being moved at a distance of 1 meter even though the person is wearing eyeglasses or there is sufficient light.
c. Color blind is the condition where both eyes cannot distinguish colors.
Note: If a person experiences difficulty seeing but doesn't wear eyeglasses, ask them how it would be if they were to wear glasses. If by wearing eyeglasses they would not have any difficulty seeing, then categorize this respondent as not having difficulty. On the other hand if the respondent still experiences difficulty when wearing glasses, ask the respondent the extent or degree of the difficulty.
2. Hearing, even though wearing a hearing aid
A person is said to have difficulty hearing if he/she cannot hear voices clearly, differentiate the source, volume and quality of sound and thus cannot respond to the sound properly. A person wearing a hearing aid, who can then hear normally, should not be categorized as having difficulty. Included in this category are those who have a disability in hearing.
Note: If a person has difficulty hearing but does not use a hearing aid, ask this person how it would be if they were to wear a hearing aid. If when using a hearing aid the person doesn't experience any difficulty hearing, then categorize this person as does not have difficulty. On the other hand if the person still has difficulty even though he/she uses a hearing aid, ask the extent or degree of difficulty.
[p. 119]
3. Walking or going up stairs
A person is said to have difficulty walking or going up stairs if he/she cannot walk normally for example going forward, backward, to the side, is unstable or has difficulty climbing stairs. Someone who must use an aid to walk or climb stairs is categorized as having difficulty.
4. Remembering or concentrating or communicating with others due to some physical or mental condition
A person is said to have difficulty remembering/concentrating if he/she experiences difficulty in remembering or concentrating. A person is said to have difficulty communicating if in face to face conversation, without there being anything such as a wall, loud music, something covering the ears, the person has difficulty understanding or can't converse at all due to some physical or mental problem. Included in this category are those who have difficulty hearing and speaking.
5. Take care of one's self
A person is said to have difficulty taking care of him or herself if he/she experiences difficulty with everyday activities such as eating bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, etc.
a. Difficulty eating refers to eating by one's self (being fed by someone else, difficulty using a spoon, fork for eating or difficulty drinking).
b. Difficulty taking a bath and cleansing one's entire body.
c. Difficulty dressing means taking the clothes from the place where they are stored, fastening the clothing [buttons, zippers, etc.], making a knot, etc.
d. Difficulty picking up or holding items (hands are weak, don't have all fingers).
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Select the answer "No" (code 1) if the household member does not have any difficulties. If the household member has difficulties, but can still carry out the activity, then select the answer some"(code 2). If the household member cannot carry out the activity or it is very difficult to carry out the activity, select the answer "severe"(code 3).
Be careful when asking questions about disabilities for babies and children under 5 years of age. For example, for the question about difficulties in taking care of themselves, babies and children under 5 normally are not able to take care of themselves; a baby or child under 5 is not considered to have a disability if he/she cannot take care of himself/herself. Babies and children under 5 of course are not yet able to take care of themselves without the assistance of their parents or others. This is also the case for Q207c and Q207d. A baby who is not yet 1 year old is normally not able to walk. However, if a baby is already 1 and a half years old and the development in walking is retarded or there is no development, then this child can be considered to have a disability. The extent of the disability is no disability, some disability, or severe relative to what is normal.
The purpose of question 207 is to know whether the household member is normal with regard to sight, hearing, walking/climbing stairs, remembering/concentrating/communicating, and taking care of himself/herself. The census only collects data regarding normalcy using observation, knowledge and admission of the household member. The scale used is not very precise. Nevertheless, the enumerator must thoroughly understand the intention of this question regarding difficulties or disabilities. No, some or severe difficulty of a household member is relative to what is considered normal.
