Moments that Matter: Inclusive Codesign with People with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

This thesis describes a research project that involved a small group of self-advocates at a disability services organisation in Auckland, New Zealand. Using an insider action research methodology, the research aimed to explore the use of participatory techniques to customise co-design methods in order to facilitate meaningful involvement for the individuals themselves. The project was embarked upon with the expectation of trial and error and various co-design and facilitation techniques were found to be beneficial for promoting meaningful inclusion. The research direction was driven by the participants and the researcher responding in real time to the experience. This project was of personal significance to the researcher due to their service improvement mandate in the organisation and the thesis is written from the perspective of insider action research, presenting a personal reflection on the process and analysis of lessons learned for both the researcher and the disability industry. The research aimed to provide practitioners with transferable insights about the process, thereby improving their understanding and practice of working with this population of people. Insights are generated in relation to how progress can be made towards redressing the imbalance of voice and power in organisations by providing new avenues for people to be involved. This research project had a profound effect on the researcher’s personal development and the discipline of following an active research methodology was key in this process. By journal writing and reflecting on my reflections the researcher uncovered much about the practice of inclusive co-design and the effect of power dynamics on the project over which they had only minimal influence. The action research discipline of reflection on reflection also revealed the power dynamics in and the effect of the organisation’s power structure on the project.