Initial Stages of a Participatory Research Project about Risks Associated with People with Intellectual Disabilities

Participatory research involves people who may not have formal research experience but belong to, or represent, the group being studied throughout the process. This approach is frequently used in studies involving people with intellectual disabilities. However, due to the word limits of traditional journal articles, finer details of the participatory processes are often not reported. As a result, valuable insights may be lost, and the participatory processes may receive insufficient scrutiny. To address this gap, this paper offers practical guidance about the outset of a participatory project exploring risks experienced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. Details of partnering with community members and related organisations and completing the early stages of a design phase are reported (Vaughn & Jacquez, 2020). It reports on considerations related to project planning, methodological choices, ethical issues and venue selection. Specific challenges and next steps are outlined. Some critical reflection is also provided. A conclusion emphasising the importance of enjoyment and flexibility is drawn.