Why Consumer Participation Matters to services, governments and community organisations

People with cognitive disabilities, service providers, governments and communities can all benefit from consumer participation. Here are some of the ways it helps organisations:

provides an insight into how people with a disability perceive services;
exposes services to fresh ideas and different ways of doing things;
leads to better quality and safer services;
ensures policies are relevant and informed;
provides first-hand feedback about the impact and outcomes of services and policies;
ensures accountability;
helps to build relationships with the people who use services;
can lead to higher levels of satisfaction;
provides opportunities for a diversity of voices to be heard;
keeps organisations informed about emerging issues, concerns and barriers faced by people with a disability.