Using photovoice to include people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in inclusive research

Abstract

Accessible summary Many researches now include people with learning disabilities, which is really positive, but people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are often left out. It is important to include people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in research to make sure all voices are represented. This article talks about how a research method called photovoice can be used to include people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Abstract Background : It is now expected that projects addressing the lives of people with learning disabilities include people with learning disabilities in the research process. In the past, such research often excluded people with learning disabilities, favouring the opinions of family members, carers and professionals. The inclusion of the voices of people with learning disabilities is a welcome and much needed change. While there has been many valuable inclusive researches carried out in the past 10–15 years, much of this research has included people with mild and/or moderate learning disabilities. Far less published research has included people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Materials and Methods : This research article outlines how the visual method ‘photovoice’ can be successfully used to include people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in the research process. Results and discussion : It is argued that inclusive research is often limited by the choice of research methods, which result in the exclusion of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities from the research process. The article advocates a mediated and flexible approach to inclusive research that embraces and supports the needs of all involved. A practical example of photovoice research with people with learning disabilities demonstrates how this can be achieved. Conclusion : When planning inclusive research, researchers should be mindful of both the variety of needs that people with learning disabilities can bring to the research process and the need to tailor methods to these needs. Such action requires a flexible approach to the inclusive research process.

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