Showing not telling: shadowing of people with intellectual disability as an inclusive research method

There is growing scholarly recognition that people with intellectual disability are experts on their own experiences and should be included in research about their lives and care. Disability research, however, has often fallen short of achieving this ideal of inclusion. Part of the challenge is that traditional research methods, such as interviews and focus groups, are often not accessible to people with intellectual disability, particularly those who are non-verbal. In this article, we explore shadowing as an alternative, and inclusive, research method that encourages the participation of people with varying communication needs. Drawing on an empirical study involving 18 people with intellectual disability, we argue that shadowing is a safe and accessible research method that affords valuable insight into the unique routines and experiences of participants, honouring their agency and communication preferences by allowing them to show (not tell) their lives and experiences.