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Hearing all voices: Photo voice as an inclusive, participatory research technique with adults with intellectual disability
Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) face multiple health disparities, including disparities in research participation. Significant barriers to research participation, including difficulties with recruitment, human subjects protection, discrimination and a prioritization of verbal self-expression, may create the erroneous impression that adults with ID cannot participate in research. Most qualitative research related to adults with ID focuses on the perspectives of family members, caregivers and professionals, leaving adults with ID voiceless. Photovoice is an innovative research method that involves giving participants cameras and asking them to investigate research questions through the use of photography as they document relevant information and data with their cameras. Photovoice has been used successfully with low literacy and vulnerable populations. This poster addresses the use of photo voice with aging and elderly adults with ID, a study that demonstrates that photo voice is an acceptable, valid and productive research method for use with this population. In addition, photo voice was experienced as empowering and impactful. Discussion will include a background in research participation and disparities, human subjects protection and participatory research with adults with ID, tips for successfully using photo voice and lessons learned. Please note that this poster will not discuss the content of the study or study data, which has been submitted as a separate abstract; the focus is on participatory research methods and equitable research inclusion of a disparity population.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe barriers to research participation facing adults with intellectual disabilities
Discuss the rationale for use of participatory research methods with adults with intellectual disabilities
Describe strategies for promoting inclusive research among people with intellectual disabilities
Keyword(s): Participatory Research, Disability Studies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a masters degree candidate in medical anthropology and qualitative research with a clinical background in women's health. I have worked with underserved populations, including those with disabilities. My mentored thesis research involved being PI of a qualitative study that used participatory research techniques. My research interests include women's health for women with disabilities, inclusive research and maximizing opportunities for voice for underserved women.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
