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Inclusive Practices in Action: A Training Day with IVAR

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A guest blog by Aideen Blackborough with graphic recording image by Eddy Phillips

A Just Ideas team of Aideen, Ali, Eddy, Helen and Ollie recently travelled to London to deliver Inclusive Practices Training for the Institute for Voluntary Action Research and what a fun and productive day we had! The research team at IVAR were keen to ensure that their working practices were as inclusive as possible and asked us to put together some training with a particular focus on involving disabled people in research.

The training began with setting the rules for how we would work together as a group and a key point was that it was OK to both ask questions and to get things wrong. It was important to us as a team that the delegates felt safe and supported to ask difficult and sensitive questions in order to deepen their understanding. We also highlighted that nobody has all of the answers!

Understanding Disability: Medical vs Social Models

Aideen took the lead as we explored  the term “disability” and the medical and social models of disability. The legal definition of disability according to The Equality Act is:  “…a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.”  In the group discussions it was highlighted how this definition is based on the medical model, as it puts so much emphasis on the individual’s condition and fails to recognise society’s role in creating barriers.

We progressed to look at another aspect of The Equality Act – how to make reasonable adjustments. The delegates split into three groups and were each given a case study for which they were asked to identify the reasonable adjustments that they would make in that scenario. A key take away point from this was summarised as: Ask, Listen, Do. Whilst you can always make reasonable adjustments that you think are helpful, it’s always best to ask the individual you are working with what they need. It’s important to really listen to what would make things work for them and then, wherever possible, implement what they need. We also recognised that sometimes time and resource constraints can make it difficult to meet individual needs on the spot and that’s OK – most people will understand. If you need some time to implement appropriate reasonable adjustments, you should explain this so that the individual feels heard and valued.

Intersectionality in Action

Eddy took the lead on the next section which explored intersectionality which is defined as:

“…a metaphor for understanding the ways that multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage sometimes compound themselves and create obstacles that often are not understood among conventional ways of thinking.”

Delegates were invited to consider the case study of Jax, a young person whose multiple identities had resulted in multiple barriers to inclusion. The group discussed the various barriers faced by Jax and came up with numerous ideas which could reduce these obstacles and support Jax.

Forum Theatre: Learning through Experience

We enjoyed a well-deserved lunch before delving into our Forum Theatre session, led by Ali. After just one rehearsal, our Just Ideas Associates put their acting skills to the test, each assuming a role in a somewhat tense research session! Having observed the scene once, the role of the delegates was to identify what the characters should do differently and stop the scene to advise the “actors”. This was a fun and interactive session which encouraged the delegates to reflect on what had been learned so far. There were lots of laughs as well as productive discussions around the role of research facilitators in creating inclusive environments.

 

The Take-Away: Inclusion Benefits Everyone

The day was filled with productive and thought-provoking discussions and everyone, including our Just Ideas’ team, learnt something. Delegates were able to identify where they could make their practices more inclusive and accessible. It was agreed that more inclusive practices make life easier for everyone, not just disabled people.

As IVAR themselves reflected:

“The session was enjoyable and engaging, with relevant and informative content. I especially appreciated the interactive approach, which encouraged me to think critically about applying the training in everyday practice. The team created a safe and supportive space for learning and open discussion which made it easy for our team to ask questions and explore sensitive topics with confidence. We plan to use the learning to further our commitment to inclusive research, including reviewing the accessibility of our research communications and being more creative with our methodologies (we may even bring some forum theatre into our team meetings!)”

Jo Brown, Deputy Director of Research, IVAR

Find out more

If you’re thinking about your own inclusive practices and would like us to deliver a similar session, please get in touch

 

 

 

Bringing Lived Experience to the Forefront: Inclusive Practices Training

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A guest blog by Aideen Blackborough with image by Eddy Phillips

A collaboration with IVAR: Inclusive Practices Training development

Just Ideas has recently been approached by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research with an exciting opportunity to develop some training on inclusive practices with a particular focus on working with disabled people. The organisation take a lead on cross sector partnership working, with a focus on tackling health inequalities and are always keen to ensure that people with lived experience are involved at all stages of their work.

Lived experience at the forefront

With this in mind, we reached out to three of our associates who have lived experience of disability and invited them to design an informative and interactive disability training session for IVAR.  Aideen Blackborough has had Cerebral Palsy since birth and uses an electric wheelchair.  Ali Carroll has knowledge, experience and a passion for working with those who have learning disabilities.  Eddy Phillips has personal lived experience of neurodiversity and has been involved in research about participatory practices. Our Director – Helen Garforth – will also use her passion for access and inclusion to support the training. Eddy is really excited about the opportunity, saying:

‘I’m really excited to be part of this project. It’s so important that the voices of disabled people are central in research, enabling those perspectives to be considered in both the content of the research and how it is communicated.

It’s important that power dynamics (between disabled and nondisabled people, and people with other intersections of experience and identity) are acknowledged and acted upon throughout the research process. This may include – but should not be limited to – recognising disabled people’s input through a participation fee or other mutually agreed form of recognition, and having a meaningful voice in shaping research at every stage.

It’s great to be able to work with IVAR on this.”

Eddy Phillips, Just Ideas’ associate

With such a wealth of experience to share, the training is promised to be lively and engaging! The team met to discuss the structure of the training session and worked to include as many of IVAR’s priorities as possible. The session will begin by exploring what is meant by the term “disability” and giving delegates some background by exploring the Medical and Social Models of Disability.

Storytelling: Highlighting the barriers

We’ll then move on with some story telling to highlight some of the barriers that disabled people face in their every day lives. Ali has plans to create a video with some of the people that she works with, as the team is really keen to ensure that we bring in as many voices as possible. Delegates will be encouraged to consider positive language for disability and the importance of allowing disabled people to lead these conversations. The team also plan to address the issues arising from involving carers and involving them as a resource, whilst not bypassing disabled people.

The training promises to be dramatic as the team bring Forum Theatre into the mix! IVAR have provided the team with some scenarios they would like to explore to help their team develop confidence when interacting with disabled people. The plan is for a couple of the scenarios to be acted out, with the audience able to guide and advise each of the characters towards a positive outcome. A brilliant opportunity to put learning into action with a fun and engaging activity!

Find out more

To find out more – or to discuss how Just Ideas’ approach can support your organisational approach to  accessibility and inclusion – please contact us. 

 

New Research for Local Trust: ‘Spheres of Community Leadership’ report launched

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We are delighted to share the publication of three reports for Local Trust, examining the long term impact of their Community Leadership Academy. Richard Usher, our Learning and Evaluation Director, explains the role of Just Ideas in this project:

“This piece of work is the result of a long standing Learning and Evaluation role Just Ideas had alongside IVAR,  helping to bring together the learning and see the difference the (Local Trust) Community Leadership Academy was making. “

Entitled “Spheres of Community Influence” the three reports include ‘Living, Leading, Learning’ .

“Living, Leading, Learning” brings together learning from three roundtables facilitated by Just Ideas and IVAR, attended by stakeholders involved in Community Leadership in a range of different ways, from the grass roots through to those funding through to organisations supporting community leadership.”

Richard Usher

 

Please contact us for information on our Learning and Evaluation offering and learn more about our work with IVAR for Local Trust on the Community Leadership Academy in our Spring 2024 Review

 

New Report for Local Trust: ‘Building Community Leadership’

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We’re delighted to share the publication of ‘Building Community Leadership’ the culmination of work with IVAR as evaluation and learning partners to Local Trust’s Community Leadership Academy (CLA).

Learning from the experience of participants and delivery partners over the last three years, the report sheds light on how the CLA supported individuals in communities to take action during the difficult years of Covid-19, and what will be needed in future to take forward this learning and sustain community leadership.

Learn more about our work with IVAR as learning evaluation partners for Local Trust’s CLA on our blog here