The Inclusive Research Network (IRN) is a joint project of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the National Institute for Intellectual Disability.
The purpose of the Inclusive Research Network is to provide education and training in inclusive research methodologies, disseminate the findings from inclusive research nationally and internationally, provide a forum for dialogue and discussion among and with people with intellectual disability about research issues. It also provides a platform for influencing national policy in intellectual disability in Ireland through the voice of people with intellectual disability and their supporters.
A series of workshops were organised between 2008-2009. Each workshop was delivered in two geographical locations, Galway and Dublin. These workshops were designed specifically to provide training in relevant inclusive research techniques and support the enhancement of disability services through informed research which includes the voice of people with intellectual disabilities.
This report describes the workshop participants and their supporters, the significant role of supporters in the workshops, how the workshops dealt with the process of informed consent for the workshops and the research resulting from the Network. An evaluation of the network and the methodology employed is discussed along with some of the ethical Issues encountered. In the evaluation of the Inclusive Research Network the views of the network members are described along with some reflections from the co-ordinators of the network and the external evaluator. Finally the report looks at the achievements of the
Network to date; an action plan for the Network is outlined and considers what can be achieved with limited resources.