Project overview
This project aims to make health research more inclusive by ensuring people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people have fair opportunities to be involved. Although many people from these communities want to contribute to research, they often face barriers to participation or feel their views may not be valued. Building on existing engagement work, including Listening Cafés and collaboration with autistic community groups, the project will help the department learn how to make research more accessible, welcoming, and relevant.
Previous work with an online autistic group and a National Autistic Society community group informed new guidelines for inclusive recruitment materials, which are now used across the department and have influenced university-wide templates. This project will extend that impact through two key activities.
First, a Community Panel of 6–8 neurodivergent people will be established. Small online meetings every two months will allow members to share feedback, shape research ideas, identify barriers to participation, and support projects before and after funding. Flexible participation options will ensure inclusion without overburdening individuals.
Second, the project will adapt and deliver Listening Cafés with a local learning disability group. Co-designed and co-delivered sessions will use creative, accessible methods to build trust, explore barriers to research and healthcare, and develop new ways for people with learning disabilities and their carers to engage meaningfully in health research.
Previous work with an online autistic group and a National Autistic Society community group informed new guidelines for inclusive recruitment materials, which are now used across the department and have influenced university-wide templates. This project will extend that impact through two key activities.
First, a Community Panel of 6–8 neurodivergent people will be established. Small online meetings every two months will allow members to share feedback, shape research ideas, identify barriers to participation, and support projects before and after funding. Flexible participation options will ensure inclusion without overburdening individuals.
Second, the project will adapt and deliver Listening Cafés with a local learning disability group. Co-designed and co-delivered sessions will use creative, accessible methods to build trust, explore barriers to research and healthcare, and develop new ways for people with learning disabilities and their carers to engage meaningfully in health research.
