The Use of Photovoice as a Methodology to Explore Identity Expression Amongst People with Intellectual Disabilities who have No or Limited Verbal Communication

Abstract

People with severe and profound intellectual disabilities are rarely given the opportunity to participate in research. This is despite the development of inclusive participatory practices. A lack of involvement in research can maintain the negative assumptions and biases that surround people with intellectual disabilities and overshadow aspects of their identities. Building on previous research, this project aimed to explore whether an adapted version of photovoice could be used as a methodology to explore the identities of people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Informed by Social Constructionist ideas, this project incorporated a qualitative multiple case study approach. Three participants, their families and carers were invited to participate in the project which combined methods of ethnography, photovoice and dyadic interviewing. The data collected from these multiple methods were analysed systematically using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. The findings of this study illustrate the complex processes involved in exploring the multidimensional identities of people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Photovoice can offer a flexible and accessible methodology to including visual voices, although there are important facilitating factors that must be considered, not only when conducting research, but when providing support in day to day life.