Co-Research Resource: How Assistive Technology Can Support Inclusive Research

Contributor(s)

Patrick Fitzgerald, Co-Researcher and Co-Designer, St John of God Research Foundation, Ireland

Sarah Gavra Boland, Assistive Technology Facilitator, St John of God Liffey Services, Ireland

Emma Murphy, Lecturer and Co-Design Facilitator, TU Dublin, Ireland

Fatima Badmos, Human-Centred Computing, TU Dublin and St John of God, Ireland

Dympna OSullivan, Academic Lead, Digital Futures Research Hub, TU Dublin, Ireland

Description

The Inclusive Co-Research Resource is a practical, accessible framework that enables people with intellectual disabilities to take meaningful leadership roles in real-world research. Supported by Assistive Technology (AT), including screen readers, audio-to-text tools, interactive Easy Read templates, and AI-supported summary tools like ChatGPT, the toolkit transforms research from a service-led activity into a peer-led, participatory process.

Co-developed as part of the Inclusion4EU project and the Team Co-Designing Personal Plans initiative, the toolkit was created in partnership with TU Dublin and St. John of God Liffey Services. It has been successfully used to support inclusive co-design of digital personal plans, facilitate focus groups, analyse data, and co-author academic outputs.

Patrick Fitzgerald, a co-researcher and co-designer, used the toolkit to lead local workshops and will co-present the findings at AAATE 2025, demonstrating how inclusive research can amplify voices and shape future practice.

It is structured in six areas, including:

  1. Understanding Research & Reviewing What Others Have Done
  2. Planning and Running Focus Groups
  3. Listening & Understanding – Supporting Peer Analysis
  4. Coding and Making Meaning Together
  5. Finding Patterns & Linking to Other Research
  6. Telling the Story – Sharing What We Found

This presentation will showcase how AT tools (tablets, AI interfaces, screen readers) enhance memory, confidence, and communication, making complex research processes more accessible, meaningful, and fun.

Presenter(s)

Patrick Fitzgerald, Sarah Gavra Boland, Emma Murphy, Fatima Badmos, Dympna OSullivan