Towards equal and active citizenship: pushing the boundaries of participatory research with people with learning disabilities

Rohhss ChapmanMelanie NindJane SealeLiz Tilley

Participatory Research

• Being involved in participatory research is one way in which people with learning difficulties can be equal and active citizenships

We talk

• We talk a lot about why participatory research is a good idea

We don’t talk

We don’t always ask questions about the positive claims that people make about participatory research

We don’t talk

We don’t always ask questions about why some areas of participatory research are ignored

What is missing?

• Participatory data analysis

• People with high support needs

What we want to do

Get people thinking and talking about these two ignored areas of participatory research

Explore new and creative ways of involving people with learning difficulties in participatory research

Plymouth: the first seminar

• Before we move forward we have to understand what has been achieved so far

Plymouth: the first seminar

• Our speakers will share their experiences of the different kinds of participatory research they have been involved in

Questions

• What has been achieved so far?• What are the tensions and challenges

and can they be addressed?• Are there limits to the participation of

people with learning difficulties in research– Who or what influences these

limits?• Can and should the boundaries of

these limitations be pushed?

Seminar philosophy: working together

• We all have an equal say

• We share and value different experiences, ideas and opinions

• Make space for talking and listening

Seminar philosophy: working together

• Commitment to making thoughts and ideas as accessible as possible– In what we say

and write– Allow space and

time, to explain, repeat, pause

Seminar philosophy: working together

• Commitment to improving each seminar

• Feedback on what works and what does not work in the way we have planned and organised the day