Reference no: EM133217755

Question: A needs assessment involves defining what we actually need based on a problem, the factors influencing the need, figuring out categories of the need, and determining how valid the data is of what we need (Kettner et al., 2017). Once a need has been identified, programs and interventions can be put into place. For those with developmental disabilities, their needs are normally surrounding economic, social, or health related problems (Kettner et al., 2017). Even individuals with the same developmental disabilities may have different needs since each individual can be affected differently. In order to determine their needs, we must figure out the normative, perceived, expressed, and relative needs. Once their needs are figured out, interventions can be put into place and then measured to see what is working and what may need to be changed.

Since each individual with developmental disabilities can have different areas they struggle in, those specific areas will need to be determined and then the program planning can go from there. When it comes to designing a program for a community it is a bit different because we must look at a larger group of individuals and figuring out what the majority needs are.

Data is normally collected as well as feedback from members in the community (Kettner et al., 2017). Needs assessment for an individual and a community are similar because they are both working towards a need and forming a solution for said need.

Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L. L. (2017). Designing and managing programs: An effictiveness-based approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.