Beyond Universal Research Design: Lessons for Developing Accessible Virtual Focus Group Research

Abstract

People with disabilities (PWD) face significant health disparities, yet they have largely been excluded from health research and clinical trials, including in-person and virtual focus group research. The lack of clear protocols for recruiting research participants with disabilities and designing fully accessible online focus groups may contribute to their exclusion. Additionally, barriers to screening, consent, and hosting focus groups with PWD have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with planning, flexibility, and creativity, researchers can anticipate and overcome barriers to inclusion and conduct critical research that is accessible to PWD. This article presents a concrete example and lessons learned from the application of principles of accessible research design to a project utilizing virtual focus groups. The examples shared demonstrate how to approach research with PWD by outlining universal principles to hosting focus groups and encouraging project-specific measures to make the research more accessible to the participants involved. We argue that accessible research design should prioritize inclusion and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of participants. Community engagement, financial resources for necessary accommodations and modifications, and a commitment to disability justice principles are all necessary components for successful research that fully includes PWD. By adopting disability humility and embracing universal research design that allows for accommodations and modifications, researchers can maximize the potential for inclusive and impactful research.