Abstract
A survey was conducted on directors or administrators of 40 facilities for mental disabilities in Prefecture A in order to examine the ideal state of the user-involved evaluation system, in which users of these facilities participate in the planning of activities and management of the facility. 35 facilities responded (Response rate was 87.5%). The survey results that users voices and opinions were reflected in planning and review of daily
programs that are familiar to the users. It shows their participation in the process. On the other hand, it becomes clear that participation in annual planning, mid-to long-term planning, and facility management was low. In addition, it is suggested that the users participation in the facility evaluation leads to “new insights,” “enhanced quality of support,” “respect for opinions,” “impact on environment” and “changes in staff,” resulting in positive changes for the staff and the facility. It was also revealed that as difficulties in conducting facility evaluations with users: “difficulty in expressing the true feelings of the users,” “attacks on staff,” “need for individualized responses,” “impact on conditions and symptoms” and “changes in the relationship between users and the facility.”Through this survey, it was suggested that in order to promote the user-involved evaluation system, “recognition of fixed roles of users and staff,” “building collaborative relationships” and “awareness of power imbalance between users and staff” are necessary.
https://ror.org/0364c8r59 
