Our Recipe for Good Inclusive Research

Abstract

Co-researchers with intellectual disabilities and a Ph.D. student formed an inclusive research team. The co-researchers joined the inclusive research team so they could learn more about research and have control over the research. Our team have held regular research skills meetings. The focus of these meetings was getting to know each other and learning what each person brought to the team, as well as learning what inclusive research is and how to conduct research together. Learning these things has helped to design and undertake an inclusive research project about pets for people with intellectual disabilities. In this article, our team shares our experience of conducting inclusive research. We have learnt that each team member brings their own strengths to the team and we have connected and formed friendships. We completed an inclusive research project and found there were some challenges our team had to overcome. We conclude that people with intellectual disabilities are capable of leading research. Being part of an inclusive research team enables co-researchers to show others what they can do. Sharing what our team has found out can help others to conduct inclusive research.