Inclusive Research Empowers People with Intellectual Disabilities

At the World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion,” a special workshop titled “Doing Inclusive Research” highlighted a growing global movement to involve persons with intellectual disabilities not just as participants, but as leaders and collaborators in research. Held on Tuesday, the session emphasized that inclusive research can help ensure that marginalized voices play a key role in shaping knowledge, influencing policy, and driving practical solutions in society.

Inclusive Research: What It Means

Inclusive research means that individuals who are usually considered just subjects of research are given the chance to lead, guide, and actively participate in every stage of the research process. Instead of researchers studying people with disabilities from a distance, inclusive research engages them directly in designing studies, collecting data, analyzing results, and sharing solutions. This approach ensures that research reflects the lived experiences, perspectives, and needs of the people it is meant to help.

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During the workshop, experts explained that including persons with intellectual disabilities in research is not just an ethical responsibility—it also leads to better results. People who experience challenges firsthand often have insights and practical ideas that professionals may overlook. Their contributions make research more accurate, effective, and meaningful.

Key Speakers and Their Insights

The session was led by Tia Nelis, Consultant at Inclusion International, and Mary Wickenden, Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Both speakers presented real-life examples of how inclusive research works in practice and why it is so important.

Tia Nelis on Self-Advocacy and Women’s Rights

Tia Nelis shared her experience working with Women Enabled International, a program that focuses on women with disabilities. She explained how self-advocates from three countries were trained to lead focus groups, design accessible materials, and educate communities about women’s rights.

Nelis stressed the importance of making research accessible. This meant creating materials that were easy to read, using visual aids, and ensuring that discussions were understandable for everyone. She also highlighted the value of respecting the time, skills, and expertise of participants with intellectual disabilities. Rather than seeing them as helpers, researchers must recognize them as equal partners whose knowledge is essential for meaningful research outcomes.

Mary Wickenden on Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mary Wickenden discussed a project led by IDS during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research collected more than 150 personal stories from persons with disabilities in five countries. The project worked in close collaboration with local researchers, caregivers, and support teams.

The stories revealed many challenges faced by people with disabilities during the pandemic. These included social isolation, limited access to healthcare, difficulties in getting essential supplies, and financial pressures. Importantly, the participants also shared their own recommendations for future emergency planning. This demonstrated that inclusive research does more than document problems—it provides practical solutions that can guide policy and improve emergency responses in the future.

Hands-On Workshop Activity

One of the highlights of the session was a hands-on activity where participants practiced inclusive research techniques. They were asked to share personal stories about their aspirations, achievements, and experiences using different methods, such as drawings, models, and spoken word.

Participants worked in small groups to tell their stories, ask questions, and reflect on each other’s ideas. This activity gave attendees first-hand experience of what it feels like to conduct research inclusively. It also encouraged creativity and collaboration while showing the importance of listening to and valuing every voice.

At the end of the workshop, participants shared feedback on lessons learned. They discussed ways to make research more accessible, collaborative, and effective for everyone, regardless of ability.

Significance of the World Congress 2025

The World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion” is being held in Sharjah, UAE, and continues until September 17. This event has brought together over 500 participants from 74 countries, including 152 speakers representing 160 organizations, across 59 parallel sessions.

It is the first time that the Congress is being held in the MENA region and North Africa. The Congress provides a global platform for sharing best practices and advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. The event is co-organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Inclusion International, in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

The Congress showcases how inclusive practices can influence every area of life, including education, healthcare, social services, policy-making, and employment. By involving persons with intellectual disabilities in decision-making processes, organizations and governments can create solutions that truly meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Why Inclusive Research Matters

Inclusive research matters because it changes the way society views people with intellectual disabilities. Instead of being passive subjects of studies, they become active contributors who influence policies, design programs, and create solutions.

Key benefits of inclusive research include:

• Empowering individuals: Participants gain confidence, skills, and recognition for their expertise.

• Improving outcomes: Research becomes more accurate, relevant, and actionable.

• Shaping policy: Insights from people with lived experience help governments and organizations design better policies.

• Promoting equality: Everyone’s voice is heard, respected, and valued.

Moving Forward

The session concluded with a clear message: inclusive research is not just a trend—it is a critical approach for creating a fairer, more just society. By involving persons with intellectual disabilities in research, communities can develop policies and programs that truly meet people’s needs, rather than making assumptions about what might work.

Experts at the workshop encouraged participants to continue experimenting with inclusive research methods in their own work. They emphasized that collaboration, accessibility, and respect are key to making research meaningful and impactful.

As the World Congress 2025 continues, workshops like “Doing Inclusive Research” serve as a reminder that everyone has something valuable to contribute. By listening to and learning from persons with intellectual disabilities, societies can become more inclusive, thoughtful, and effective in addressing complex challenges.