Inclusion and engagement in photovoice/photo elicitation research with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities: a scoping review

Photovoice and photo-elicitation methods are both associated with the participatory action research tradition by ceding power over data production, interpretation, and analysis to research participants. To this end, these methods have been commonly employed in research involving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, for whom creating and interpreting visual media can help overcome disabling barriers to their participation in research. Using a scoping review, this contribution assesses whether the use of photovoice and photo-elicitation methods with this population is consistent with the guiding principles of participatory action research. The findings identify several avenues to increase inclusion and engagement in research practices by ceding power over specific research design, analysis, and knowledge dissemination practices to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities as key collaborators.