Engaging adolescents with disabilities in research

Adolescence is a time of transition from childhood to adulthood, but the social implications of adolescence vary from culture to culture and between socioeconomic groups. The impact of having a disability on the transition from childhood to adulthood can be significant. There is a dearth of research into the needs of adolescents with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, the voices of adolescents are largely excluded from the research and decision-making that concerns their lives. This paper reviews methods by which adolescents with disabilities can be engaged in research. The benefits and challenges of using these techniques are discussed, using an example of a recent study conducted with adolescents with disabilities in South India. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits, drawbacks and implications of using participatory research techniques with adolescents with disabilities.