However, it was also difficult to engage the participants in further evaluative steps that
were directly related to assessing the merit and worth of their program. Therefore, I conducted
most of the formal evaluation steps myself, incorporating consumer input and feedback at
every step of the way. For example, I used consumer input about needs to develop overarching
evaluation questions, as well as subsequent items for surveys and interviews. After collecting,
analyzing, and synthesizing the data from each of these measures, I created a brief report of the
results of each overarching question. At weekly discussion groups I presented these reports one
topic at a time, both on paper and orally, to all the attending staff and consumers. These reports
catalyzed deliberations among all the participating consumers and staff, as well as subsequent
decision-making. For example, after survey and interview data—and subsequent discussion
of it—confirmed that the director’s detachment was widely perceived to be a problem, the
director eventually agreed to take a more active role in specific consumer activities. These