Using Vignettes in Interviews to Enhance Reflexivity and Sense Making of Violence With Persons With Cognitive Disabilities

People with cognitive disabilities are often excluded from research due to the inaccessibility of methods and assessment tools. Critical challenges include ensuring self-determination, developing inclusive recruitment methods, and enabling effective communication, all of which are essential to inclusive research. This article describes the use of graphic vignettes—illustrating various forms of violence—combined with semi-structured interviews as a multimodal approach to promote sensemaking and reflexivity related to violence against persons with cognitive disabilities. This methodological study is based on a reflexive thematic analysis conducted with 17 participants with cognitive disabilities (18 years or older). It describes the development of the vignettes and interview strategies designed to elicit participants’ own understanding of violence while supporting their decision-making and sense of control over the interview process. The article also discusses the implications and value of using vignettes and interviews as a multimodal research approach that not only maximizes accessibility and flexibility but also enhances self-determination and actively builds trust; key aspects that support sense-making of sensitive topics, such as violence. In doing so, this study provides key methodological insights that uniquely facilitate reflection and the direct participation of this population in research about their lives.