Rights to research: utilising the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as an inclusive participatory action research tool

Abstract

For those labelled disabled, disability rights are synonymous with human rights, not merely a sub-category. In this paper we consider disability rights in terms of the right of people labelled with learning difficulties to be actively involved in research. Examples from an inclusive participatory action research project undertaken in partnership with people labelled with learning difficulties demonstrate how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was operationalised using photo-voice to facilitate accessible research, analyse findings and promote social change.

Keywords:

• disability rights
• ableism
• inclusive participatory action research

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank our co-researchers for permitting us to use their photographs and share their story in this article. They are also grateful for the constructive feedback of the two anonymous reviewers.