Focus groups for children with intellectual disabilities
Children with intellectual disabilities are invited to participate in focus groups about advocacy or getting help to speak up for their rights. 
What is the research project about?
An independent advocate can help a child and their family to find out more information about their rights and entitlements, understand or navigate the system, attend meetings with them and make sure their views are heard. The project team wants to learn if children with intellectual disabilities get the help they need to speak up for their rights. They also want to know what type of advocacy services children with intellectual disabilities and their families would like to have in Ireland.
Who can take part?
Children with intellectual disabilities in Ireland can take part. For this research children includes those aged between 9 and 17 years of age.
What will people taking part have to do?
Participants will be asked to attend an in-person focus group and talk about what could help them speak up for their rights. They will be asked about who could help them do this, what a person who does this kind of work should be like, and what a new advocacy service could help with.
When are the focus groups?
We will run focus groups for children as follows:
| Location | Date | Age Group | Time |
|
Dublin , Ombudsman for Children Office |
11/05/24 |
9 –12 years | 11am – 1pm |
| 13 – 17 years | 2pm – 4pm | ||
|
Galway, University of Galway |
25/05/24 |
9 – 12 years | 11am – 1pm |
| 13 – 17 years | 2pm – 4pm |
While parents are welcome to attend these sessions to support their child, these focus groups are just for children. The project also held focus groups for parents and guardians.
Who is working on this?
The Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the University of Galway are conducting this research. The researchers working on it are Emma Burns, Dr. Clíona de Bhailís and Professor Eilionóir Flynn. Inclusion Ireland commissioned the research.
Accessibility
It's important that anyone who is interested can be involved or can find out more. We have information in Easy Read and large print. Please tell us what else would help you to take part.
More information
If you have questions or are interested in taking part, please contact Emma at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Clíona on 0860081153.
Information Sheet for Children’s Focus Group HERE
Parent Information Sheet HERE