ABSTRACT

This chapter begins by highlighting concerns expressed by many from within the disability movement around the historical impact of disability research, which has often been perceived as negative and even harmful. It focuses on two particular research paradigms that have the potential to address these concerns to some extent. The particular research includes: the now well-established paradigm of participatory research, which has its roots within general qualitative research methodology; a relatively new research paradigm, known as emancipatory research, which has emerged from within the disability movement itself. The emancipatory research paradigm, closely associated with the UK disability movement, goes beyond participatory research in that it aims to turn over control of the entire research process to disabled people and the organisations that represent them. There is much debate, however, as to how emancipatory research can be put into practice, particularly in Southern contexts where the emancipatory goals of the worldwide disability movement may conflict with local priorities.