Workshop Description: Meaningful community-engaged research requires intentional approaches to accessibility, engagement, partnership, and shared decision-making throughout the research process. This presentation will explore practical strategies for conducting inclusive research with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs, families, and other community partners.
Through examples from applied research projects, participants will see how accessible research procedures, engagement across the research lifecycle, and strong community partnerships can strengthen the relevance, feasibility, and impact of research. The presentation will also consider important gaps in the current IDD-MH evidence base and how inclusive research approaches can help identify research priorities, shape questions that reflect community needs, improve the relevance of methods and outcomes, and support translation of findings into practice.
Participants will have opportunities to reflect on where research is still needed and how inclusive approaches can be incorporated into their own research, programs, and communities.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify practical strategies for increasing accessibility and meaningful engagement throughout the research process.
- Describe how people with lived experience and community partners can contribute to research design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination.
- Identify gaps and emerging priorities in IDD-MH research and describe how inclusive approaches can help address these gaps and strengthen the relevance and impact of future research.
Speakers:
Andrea Palmieri, EdD, LCSW, Adjunct Research Faculty, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
Andrea Palmieri is a clinical social worker, researcher, and educator with more than 20 years of experience in intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health (IDD-MH). She serves as the clinical director for NC Operations Director and Research Advisor for the National Research Consortium on Mental Health in IDD and is an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Her work focuses on applied and inclusive research, mental health services, measurement development, and translating research into practical tools that improve care for people with IDD. Dr. Palmieri has led and collaborated on research and evaluation projects that engage people with IDD, families, clinicians, and community partners throughout the research process.
Jess Martin is a disability advocate from Chicago, Illinois, and a university student majoring in human services and disability studies. Jess is a dancer and choreographer. Jess liked the project because it allowed them to learn while helping people and advancing their future career in disability studies.
Micah Peace Urquilla is a multiply Disabled researcher, educator, and community organizer from Louisville, KY. Micah is nearing a decade of service in the Disability community and has experienced working with other Disabled folks across the lifespan in a wide variety of roles and settings at the local, state, and national levels. They are a Research & Training Associate at the National Center for START Services (NCSS) and a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Their research focuses on inclusive engagement, accessible mental health services, and peer support.
