Work

(En)Abling Architectural Research: Co‐Designing With People With Intellectual Disabilities

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities remain under-represented in architectural design and research. This paper draws on a doctoral study that explored how people with intellectual disabilities experience shopping centres. It aims to present an inclusive methodological framework that supports their meaningful participation in architectural research. METHODS: The study followed a Participatory Action Research approach supported by ethnographic methods. Data was generated through interviews, walking interviews, focus groups and co-design workshops and the data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis identified enabling measures that shaped an inclusive research environment, including collaboration with a self-advocacy organisation, the involvement of a co-researcher with lived experience, the use of prompts and flexible timelines. CONCLUSION: The resulting framework offers practical guidance for researchers seeking to embed inclusive approaches within architectural research and related fields. The article is co-authored by academic researchers and a co-researcher with lived experience of an intellectual disability.

Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

DOI: 10.1111/jar.70275

Authors: Menatalla Kasem, Zarah Kaleem, Sam Clark, Dikaios Sakellariou

Institutions: Zagazig University, Cardiff University, European University Cyprus

Language: English

Topic: Disability Rights and Representation

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,600