Information for survey participants > Household surveys

Participation and Activity Limitation Survey

What is the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey?

How was I selected?

What types of questions does the survey ask?

Do I have to participate in the survey?

How will the information be used?

Is my information confidential?

When will the survey results be available?

How do I find out more information about the survey?

What is the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey?

The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey collects information on people whose everyday activities may be limited because of a health-related condition or problem. Since approximately one in seven Canadians has such a condition or problem, it is important to identify the type and severity of activity limitations so that programs can be planned and developed which will assist full participation in society. Sponsored by Human Resources and Development Canada, this survey is conducted from late summer until the end of the year. The survey (previously titled Health and Activity Limitation Survey) has been conducted twice before, in 1986 and 1991.

How was I selected?

Your selection was based on your answers to the Activities of Daily Living questions which were on the long-form of this year’s 2001 Census of Population. Approximately 60,000 people of all ages have been selected to take part in this survey.

What types of questions does the survey ask?

The survey will ask questions about certain daily activities such as getting around, communicating, hearing, seeing or learning. The survey will also look at the use of technical aids and the need for aids, services and support to accomplish everyday tasks; the impact of activity limitations on education, employment and social participation; the impact on children and their families; and the expenses related to having an activity limitation

To reduce the number of questions in the survey, some information that was collected during the last census will be added to your survey answers (for example, information on the languages you speak at home, your marital status or your ethnic background). Only information related to you will be added to the survey’s information, not information on other members of your household.

Do I have to participate in the survey?

Although your participation in this survey is voluntary, it is important that all people selected for the survey do participate in order that the information be as useful and accurate as possible.

Government, support groups and private organizations need to identify and address the barriers faced by persons with activity limitations in all areas of daily life— whether at home, at work, at school or in their communities.

All levels of government will use this information to plan and evaluate services and programs required by persons with activity limitations so they may participate fully in society. For example, the information could be used to study the services required to support persons with activity limitations in education or employment settings; or to plan home support services for persons needing help at home because of an activity limitation.

Social policy analysts, advocacy and support groups will also use information from the survey to examine the challenges faced by individuals with activity limitations.

Survey results will also assist the private sector to plan facilities and services that meet the needs of persons with activity limitations.

The media will use this information to raise awareness about activity limitations, an issue of concern to all.

Is my information confidential?

Statistics Canada recognizes that survey participants trust it to protect their information. That is why the Agency follows strict rules to ensure the confidentiality of your information and your privacy. Under the Statistics Act, employees must take an oath of secrecy. Only employees who need to work with the data files have access to them. Because your answers are combined with those of other participants, no information is ever released that could identify you or your family.

Preliminary results of the survey will be released in The Daily, Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin, in the spring of 2003. There are also plans for various analytical studies using the survey’s data.

If your would like more information on the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, contact the Statistics Canada regional office nearest you.