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A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research (Forber-Pratt, 2025)

Picture of Dr, Anjali Forber-Pratt with a screenshot of the quote "to include people with disabilities across the research enterprise also means talking about (and encouraging the talking about) the disability identity of individuals, and building inclusive research spaces where investigators and staff with disabilities are integral members of the research team." Forber-Pratt, A. J. (2025). A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685

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Abstract
This paper is a personal commentary about disability inclusion and representation in research that was based on remarks given in person at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 13, 2024. Drawing upon her experiences as a Paralympic medalist, disabled woman, person of color, researcher, and activist, the author describes the critical need for (1) diverse researchers as the generators of the science; (2) diverse individuals as study participants; and (3) diverse representation in the knowledge translation materials we produce and disseminate about the research. We need all of these, and we are stronger for them. Our science is better with this intentionality; it makes people feel seen by the research we are doing and signals its relevancy

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This paper was first presented at the Future of AAC Research Summit

For more information (including a video presentation of this publication), please visit https://aac-learning-center.psu.edu/2024/11/16/forber-pratt-2024/

Please cite as

Anjali J. Forber-Pratt (23 May 2025): A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685