Abstract

In this thought-provoking book, Jan Walmsley and Kelley Johnson discuss participative approaches to research and provide an up-to-date account of inclusive practice with individuals with learning disabilities. Drawing on evidence from two major studies, they explain how lessons learnt from inclusive research in the learning disability field are applicable to others working with marginalized groups. The authors examine the origins and the process of inclusive research, describing:

* how and why it takes place

* who carries it out

* who funds it

* how it is designed

* how it relates to policy and practice.

They look at the challenges inherent in this work, such as balancing the voice of the researcher with that of disabled participants and clarifying roles within research projects, and explore how it can become more inclusive and empowering. Providing valuable information and advice to researchers, policy makers and students as well as other health and social care professionals, this book presents a comprehensive examination of participative research in social care.

Policy makers, researchers, practitioners and students should find in this reader some thought-provoking and authoritative information and advice on how to carry out truly inclusive research with people with learning disabilities.
Care & Health Magazine
Far more than a "how to do it" handbook. The pages are filled with thought-provoking suggestions, and nothing is taken for granted. The book was inspired by "questions we dared not ask", as the authors confess, and it does indeed consider a range of sensitive issues about power, ownership, initiation and value.
Community Care
Jan Walmsley is a Senior Lecturer at the Open University School of Health and Social Welfare in Milton Keynes. Kelley Johnson is Professor of Disability, Policy and Practice at the University of Bristol, and Director of the Norah Fry Research Centre and together with Rannveig Traustadottir, edited Women with Intellectual Disabilities for Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
This is a fascinating book, partly because of it's subject matter, partly because the very ambivalence it identifies among inclusive researchers is painfully played out on its pages. The authors aim to record, review and celebrate the achievements of inclusive research, but also to tackle the current `stifling' of debate about the very real challenges of involving people with learning disabilities in the research process.
Social Policy

Walmsley and Johnson have presented us with an excellent book in Inclusive Research with People with Learning Disabilities. As the full title suggests, this book explores the past, present and futures of inclusive research with people with learning disabilities. This is done well.

I found this book both intriguing and enjoyable. It is full of insight, fact and reference, and is written in a clear and illuminating style. In many places throughout this well-ordered text examples are usefully employed to highlight the discussion. Without a doubt, I think that this book is a timely addition to the area. It fills a gap in the literature and is clearly and authoritatively written. In my view it should be essential reading for anyone concerned with the lives of people with learning disabilities.

British Journal Of Social Work