Research with the Experts Webinar
Findings from Co-researchers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Importance of Inclusion on Research Teams
Join us on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm EST
REGISTER HERE FOR THE WEBINAR bit.ly/3XQdBuF
For research to be comprehensive and truly reflective of populations, it is important to incorporate the perspectives of those with lived experience. Inclusion of those with lived experience values and respects the worth of the individual. Co-research is a method of inclusive participatory action research in which the co-researcher is intentionally involved in every step of the research process. From designing the research questions, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, co-researchers are co-contributors that engage in research. Inclusion of people with and without disabilities on research teams fosters genuine and equitable collaboration between researchers and co-researchers.
In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, we invite you to learn about co-research through presentations from self-advocates, a panel discussion with principal investigators discussing the importance of inclusion on research teams, concluding with keynote speaker, Mallory Cyr, the program manager of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
Webinar Presentations
Co-researcher Presentations: Learn about research projects with and about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from co-researchers.
University of Florida– The Youth & Young Adult Empowerment Leadership and Learning (YELL) lab is developing an accessible score report for a self-reported measure of functional skills that support transition to adulthood. Learn more here.
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison– They are currently co-researchers on a project that focuses on the experiences of people with IDD during the pandemic and non-profit organizations that support them. They are also delivering the READI (Research Engagement for Diverse Individuals) curriculum with other team members. Learn more here.
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions – The Partnership Lab at MGH is a group of researchers with and without disabilities that are focused on health, inclusion, and participation for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. One of the projects in the Partnership lab involves interviewing people with developmental or intellectual disabilities to learn how to make surveys easy to use for people with disabilities. Learn more here.
Boston University School of Public Health- The DSTOTHEMAX Co-Research team at the Boston University School of Public Health has six adult co-researchers with Down syndrome that use their knowledge to engage with the research process. The team currently co-leads a project about mental health and Down syndrome and launched a survey about stress and anxiety in people with Down syndrome. Learn more here.
Panelist Discussion: Researchers will discuss the importance of inclusion in research, what the process for implementing a co-research team was like, and the challenges and successes.
Eric Rubenstein, PhD
Associate Professor of Epidemiology
Department of Epidemiology
Boston University School of Public Health
Karla Ausderau, PhD
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L
Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Ariel Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions
Keynote Speaker: Mallory Cyr is the Director of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and will present on disability justice and equity, the ADA and accessibility, and ableism in public health.
Mallory Cyr, MPH
Program Manager with the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP)
Mallory strives to create leadership, self-advocacy, and empowerment among people with and without rare diseases and disabilities in her over 14 years of experience. Her work involves supporting AMCHP’s State Public Health Autism Resource Center, leading the Autism Community of Learners, and supporting the needs of the needs of the CYSHCN workforce through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness project, the Leadership Institute for CYSHCN Directors, and expansion of the National Standards.
Mallory is incredibly passionate about improving opportunities for meaningful youth engagement, leveraging social media for stakeholder engagement, and applying personal lessons learned to her work from her lived experience navigating systems for CYSHCN in multiple states. Learn more about her work on here https://amchp.org/staff/mallory-cyr-mph/