Research

Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities has a research agenda that promotes an inclusive research approach, in which:

• The research problem is one that is owned (not necessarily initiated) by people with intellectual disabilities
• The research activity should further the interests of people with intellectual disabilities; non-disabled researchers should be on the side of people with intellectual disabilities
• The research process should be collaborative - people with intellectual disabilities should be involved in the process of doing the research.
• People with intellectual disabilities should be able to exert some control over process and outcomes.
• The research question, process and reports must be accessible to people with intellectual disabilities.

(Adapted from Walmsley & Johnson, 2004, p. 64. Inclusive research with people with learning disabilities: past, present and futures. London: Jessica Kingsley)

People with intellectual disabilities and family members will be involved in research that is undertaken by Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities through one of several ways, such as:

• Acting as co-researchers.
• Initiating and leading the research project.

Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Trinity College has been established as a research centre with a view to improve inclusive policy and practice for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Trinity Centre facilitates an innovative research partnership between academic staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is situated within the inclusion in Education and Society (IES) Research Group which has a strong international and national profile for inclusive research in areas such as marginalisation, special needs education, student voice, social drama and autism spectrum