What is a recommended method for involving a person with disabilities in evaluating their progress toward a goal?

Involving a person with disabilities in evaluating their progress toward a goal can significantly enhance their engagement, ownership, and understanding of the process. Videotaping activities and reviewing them together provides a visual means of reflecting on progress, allowing the individual to see their actions and outcomes in real-time. This method encourages open dialogue between the person and their support team, fostering a collaborative environment where the individual can express their thoughts and feelings about their progress.

Through this interactive approach, participants can identify successes and areas for improvement, enhancing their self-awareness and motivation. Additionally, visual stimuli can be beneficial for individuals who may have difficulty verbalizing their experiences or understanding abstract concepts. This method customizes feedback to the individual's unique context, ensuring that evaluations are both relevant and constructive.

Other methods, such as blind evaluations, do not involve the individual in the evaluation process at all and may create a disconnect between the individual and their goals. Keeping feedback confidential means the person does not have access to their own progress information, which can lead to feelings of exclusion. Relying solely on standardized tests can limit the understanding of the individual's unique journey and may not capture all aspects of their growth. Thus, reviewing videotaped activities together stands out as a best practice in creating a person-centered evaluation