The article Advancing and Expecting Inclusive Research reinforces the fact that the value of inclusive research cannot be underestimated as it allows for traditionally silenced voices to be raised in a way that leads to shaping the research being conducted. The experiences of self-advocates are valuable and provide a better understanding of the overarching context, barriers, and challenges people with disabilities faces. Their experiences are also valuable in relation to designing and conducting research with intentionality to avoid perpetuating ableism or silencing certain voices. The authors were clear that including people with disabilities in research as co-investigators and co-designers has the potential to shed light on nuances and experiences of ableism of which nondisabled researchers may not otherwise be aware.
This entire issue demonstrates the importance of the relationship that exists within opportunity. It is the two way relationship that creates opportunity and benefit for all involved. Researchers without disabilities needed to have the chance to learn from researchers with disabilities and researchers with disabilities need to have the chance to share their lived experience and learn more about how to become a researcher. Brad Linnenkamp, author of My Experience as a Researcher summed it the best when he said “I think we all need to get better at presenting research and the research process in such a way that I understand it and that other people with disabilities understand it as well…But all I needed to become a researcher was the opportunity to learn.”
