Participatory research with youth with disabilities: Experiences from sub-Saharan Africa

Femke Bannink Mbazzi; Shaffa Hameed; John K Ganle; Tom Shakespeare; Sarah Polack

doi:10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1491

Participatory research with youth with disabilities: Experiences from sub-Saharan Africa

Afr J Disabil. 2024 Oct 21:13:1491. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1491. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Femke Bannink Mbazzi^{1

2}, Shaffa Hameed², John K Ganle³, Tom Shakespeare², Sarah Polack²

Affiliations

¹ Disability Research Group, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Group, Entebbe, Uganda.
² International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
³ School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Disability inclusive youth research, involving youth with disabilities in the design, implementation and dissemination of study data, is still limited in Africa.

Objectives: To describe and reflect on the experiences of involving youth with disabilities in an exploratory research study, focused on disability-inclusive education and employment in 7 African countries.

Method: 12 youths with different impairments, aged 18 to 35, were employed as researchers in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda. Youth researchers contributed to the data collection and analysis of interviews with 210 youth with disabilities. 24 youth advisors with disabilities formed two youth advisory groups (YAG) of 12 advisors each in the regional hub countries Ghana and Uganda. The YAGs met 4 times during the project and contributed to the study design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination activities. In addition, 4 workshops were held with the Ugandan YAG to develop a participatory film.

Results: Together with the youth participants, we reflected on the experiences of involving youth with disabilities and conducting research with, by and on youth with disabilities. We highlighted ethics and safeguarding, recruitment and representation, exploring experiences and data quality, participatory dissemination, accessibility, capacity building and networking as key areas of consideration and benefit in this project.

Conclusion: Participatory research with youth with disabilities is feasible, enriching, and key to inclusive research that informs education and employment policy and practices.

Contribution: Lessons learned from youth involvement in a disability inclusive research programme, focused on education and employment in 7 African countries.

Keywords: Africa; disability; education; employment; participatory research; youth.

Grants and funding

Funding information This article was produced in the context of the Young Africa Works: Disability Inclusion Research Partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The partnership was a 27-month initiative that took place between October 2021 and December 2023. Its purpose was to understand the obstacles and opportunities related to education and employment for individuals with disabilities and to use this information to guide future initiatives on disability inclusion. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Foundation, its staff, or its Board of Directors.