Implementing the Washington Group-Short Set Questions

The WG-SS can only be an effective tool in identifying people with disabilities if it is properly implemented. In some countries, errors have generated unreliable results. 

Therefore, the several key elements that are essential for avoiding such unreliability, and to ensure proper implementation of the WG-SS, are as follows:

• Questions must be appropriately translated into the local language 
• Any lead-in or introductory statement prior to asking the questions must make no mention of the term “disability”. 
• No screening questions should be used
• The questions must be asked in exactly the way that they are written, including the four response categories for each question