Inclusive Dissemination: Inclusive Research Dissemination With Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Abstract Inclusive research emphasizes the importance of researchers with intellectual and developmental disabilities playing active roles in all phases of research, including research and information dissemination. This article explores how contemporary literature and practical application of inclusive practices in the academic setting of a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities sheds light on this important yet often overlooked facet of research. It argues that, by adopting a suite of new and more inclusive approaches to dissemination, intellectual and developmental disability research and analysis can reach far beyond the walls of the academy. Approaches to inclusive and strategic sharing of research and other information are presented that can enhance the application and influence of that research. Strategies for increasing inclusivity are also detailed, along with challenges and future considerations to help the field enshrine these strategies in common practice. Finally, barriers to inclusive dissemination are discussed, along with methods to overcome them. Although it is clear that more research and work need to be done on this subject, these strategies, approaches, and methods will help research teams become more inclusive, ensuring the research is meaningful and accessible to people whose lives are affected by it.