Making qualitative research accessible to people who have communication disability

Abstract

People with communication disability are often excluded from participating directly in research. This systematic exclusion from relevant research has a significant impact on the field’s knowledge and limits the development of effective evidence-based practices. The purpose of this descriptive methods paper is to equip researchers with knowledge required to address the needs of people with communication disability, increasing the likelihood of their rights-based inclusion in research. In this paper, we combine what has been learned from the literature with content derived from a study that is currently underway. Using images and transcript excerpts as examples, we will describe practical methods to action recommendations. Three pillars of communication accessible research are proposed—participatory attitudes, flexibility and responsivity, and consumer involvement—which will empower researchers to make their own projects more inclusive to people with communication disability.