Folklore, Disability, and Plain Language: The Problem of Consent

Abstract:This is an essay about consent and the importance of using plain language. Consent means someone gives someone else permission to do something. When we do research, we ask for consent from the people we study. We explain what we are trying to understand in our research, and we ask people to agree to participate. Everyone has the right to decide whether or not to give consent. When we ask for consent, we need to explain things in ways that people understand so they can make their own decisions. Sometimes people with intellectual disabilities are not given the right to decide whether or not to give permission to participate. People with intellectual disabilities can understand if spoken to in plain language by teachers, doctors, lawyers, parents, and caregivers, as well as by everyone else. When things are explained in plain language, people with intellectual disabilities can understand and make their own decisions about whether or not to give consent to participate.