Organizational Participatory Research With a Community Organization Developing Supported Apartments: Strategies Mobilized and Lessons Learned

Although participatory research is increasingly used across various populations, it remains relatively uncommon in the field of disability. Moreover, researchers who adopt this approach rarely provide detailed accounts of the methods they use. In response to this shortcoming, this article aims to analyze the organizational participatory research experience conducted with a community organization that develops supported apartments for autistic adults, as well as individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities. The student facilitating the process adopted a reflective approach that helped identify the strategies used to support the research process. Her reflections were further informed by feedback and discussions with other individuals involved in the project. The strategies identified and their effects are presented, followed by a discussion of the key lessons learned from this experience. By sharing this information, the authors wish to contribute to the enrichment of knowledge and practices in participatory research, particularly in the field of disability.