Becoming Co-researchers: People with Intellectual Disability Learning about Research

Abstract

Objectives

Many researchers think co-research, where people with and without intellectual disability work together, should happen more often and can be done better. One way of making co-research better is to give people with intellectual disability more chances to learn skills and take part in research. This article talks about a research course for people with intellectual disability. It looks at if the course had an impact and helped people learn about research. It also includes the thoughts of some participants who did the course and are now employed as Research Assistants.

Method

People who did the research course took part in interviews that asked them if there were any benefits to the course, what worked well and what was hard.

Results

Five of the eight people who did the course took part in interviews. The results showed that the course had a positive impact. The main benefits were learning new skills, feeling more confident, making friends and having purpose. Some suggested improvements were to have more breaks and use more accessible written information.

Conclusions

Learning about research can help people with intellectual disability meaningfully take part in co-research. When they get the chance to learn, build skills and take on research roles, they are supported and empowered to take part equally with others. This can help people with intellectual disability realise their rights. It can also help create knowledge that matters to them.