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

2. Rohhss Chapman
Melanie Nind
Jane Seale
Liz Tilley

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

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

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

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

7. What is missing?
• Participatory
data analysis
• People with
high support
needs

8. 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

9. Plymouth: the first seminar
• Before we move
forward we have
to understand
what has been
achieved so far

10. Plymouth: the first seminar
• Our speakers will
share their
experiences of
the different kinds
of participatory
research they
have been
involved in

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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