Type of Project: In-house project
Benchmarking of rehabilitation quality in sheltered workshops for people with disabilities

Seven sheltered workshops for people with disabilities developed under the scientific management of ITA a quality indicator system that provides new insights into - and comparable data of - the rehabilitation quality. Starting as of January 2006, these partners have opened their system and invite other sheltered workshops to participate in this unique benchmarking approach. Benchmarking in this context is defined as a comparison of rehabilitation processes against a pool of other sheltered workshops. Comparison is made against a defined set of indicators, processes and outcomes in those workshops considered to be best. Benchmarking participants get detailed insights into own strengths and areas for improvements of their rehabilitation processes and an understanding of the own situation and starting point. This enables participants to start an efficient and structured process of learning from each other by comparing with the "best in process". The project procedures and tools for measuring rehabilitation quality provide a comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation quality. They are based upon standardised and simultaneous measurements performed by each sheltered workshop. Measurement by specialised workshop staff enhances their sensibility for areas of improvement in their own scope of work and supports internal quality management activities. Carefully developed instruments for measurement and mandatory instructions to perform the measurements assure high quality of data. Data analysis and calculation will be done centrally by ITA which also ensures that all participants remain anonymous.