Creating academic-community partnerships to jointly enhance advocacy and research on violence and disability: Two case examples

Psychol Trauma. 2022 Sep;14(6):956-963. doi: 10.1037/tra0001135. Epub 2021 Nov 15.

Abstract

Objective: This article describes the use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to foster bidirectional and equitable academic-community partnerships in two studies related to interpersonal violence and disability.

Method: We analyzed our methods and experiences in conducting these studies to focus on the ways in which CBPR methodology was used to jointly promote and enhance research and advocacy surrounding violence and disability in the research processes themselves and the resulting assessment and intervention products.

Results: Our use of CBPR methodology allowed us to identify and address critical issues related to violence in the disability community, such as disability-related forms and experiences of violence, concerns and barriers linked to mandated reporting laws, and inaccessible measures and interventions, and to address them in research products. Additionally, our bidirectional academic-community partnerships led us to address overall accessibility of the research process itself as a means by which to amplify advocate voices in science.

Conclusions: Full, meaningful, and equitable participation of people with disabilities at every stage of the research process allows for the creation of partnerships that jointly advance research and advocacy around violence and disability. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Community-Based Participatory Research* / methods
  • Community-Institutional Relations
  • Disabled Persons*
  • Humans
  • Violence