Did you know that inclusive research is a way to engage people with intellectual disabilities in issues that are important to their well-being? More details in this article.
By Natalia Correa.
The only way to deeply understand the issues that affect people with disabilities is by including them in the research on the matter, going to the first source.
According to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, research and development of good practices around universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities must be promoted.
The Convention establishes that persons with disabilities must be involved and consulted in the development and application of laws and policies, and in other decision-making processes.
Different authors have defined inclusive research as a range of participatory, action or emancipatory approaches. Under this paradigm, people with intellectual disabilities collaborate with academic researchers in planning and conducting research that refers to their own experiences. The knowledge generated through this process seeks to impact and generate a change in social life.
Participation in inclusive research promotes the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to get involved in issues that are important for them and have an impact on their lives.
One of the values of inclusive research is that it is not only a relevant source of knowledge for the needs of people with disabilities, but it is also a powerful instrument for transformation itself.
From research and academia, we have the challenge of generating new knowledge that has a real impact on people’s lives. For this reason, it is necessary to recognise inclusive research as an approach that allows researchers with and without disabilities to face new problems, always from a rights-based and people-centred approach.
