How we developed an inclusive Framework and Toolkit to include AAC users in research

Published
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 12:00 PM

CP-Achieve researchers and One Group Our Voice, CP-Achieve’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) user advisory group, worked together to develop ways to include AAC users in research. Then they wrote about it in a journal article!  The article was published in a special issue on Accessibility and Inclusion in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods and is free to anyone who wants to read it.  You can click here to read the article.

The team also created a plain English summary video which summarised the content of the article, to make the information accessible. 

We know that AAC users are not often involved as consumer research partners or as participants in research. Often, other people “speak” for AAC users when they are participants in research.   The article reports on a Framework developed by our team as a guide for researchers to involve AAC users in research.  The team are also creating a practical Toolkit packed with information, resources and templates for researchers.  You can request access to the Toolkit here. 

The Framework highlights the need to balance power as a primary consideration in involving AAC users in research. Providing accessible research methods and materials are key to addressing power imbalance. The Framework proposes that accessibility is achieved by addressing three interacting elements:

  • collaboration with AAC users to successfully target accessibility strategies
  • acquiring skills and knowledge needed to achieve accessibility
  • time – time to work with AAC users and time to ensure materials are accessible

Finally, the Framework describes five areas where applying these elements has the most impact for AAC users. These are:

  1. strategies for recruiting AAC users to be involved in research
  2. working with communication supporters
  3. adapting research methods such as interviews and surveys
  4. securing ethics approval
  5. seeking informed consent

We look forward to seeing more research which involves AAC users in research as consumer research partners and study participants.

This project was funded by State Trustees Victoria

Click here for access to the full journal article 

 

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