Toolkit for Remote Inclusive Research

This strategy can be used for: Communication

Video conferencing enables real-time, face to face interaction with multiple team members. Video conferencing also provides features that make it possible to use many strategies described in this toolkit:

The screen sharing feature can be used to share the agenda, prepared slides, and/or meeting notes to support attention to the topic.
The text chat and polling features can be used for team members to contribute ideas in response to a prompt and allows an alternative, non-verbal method of communication.
The remote control feature allows other team members to control the "host’s" screen. Team members can use this feature to take turns interacting with or editing one central document.

Like any meeting, a video conference meeting should follow standard procedures so all team members are prepared and able to participate. This includes creating and following a meeting agenda, using structured communication processes that allow all team members the opportunity to share.

Security note: Organizations might limit the type of information research teams are allowed to share on video conferencing. Teams should check with their organization before using video conferencing platforms.

Access Accommodations and Supports

Provide CART to support team members who may have difficulty with auditory processing and/or are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
Most video conference platforms also allow team members to privately chat with a specific person; this can be used to provide individualized support during the meeting.
Provide materials (agenda, slides) to team members at least 1 week before the meeting.
Provide individualized support to team members before the meeting to review materials and prepare.
Provide individualized support to team members after the meeting to document feedback or ideas that the individual did not share during the group meeting.
Offer to provide email, phone, or text meeting reminders one week, one day, and one hour before a meeting.
Record the meeting and provide team members with the recording so they can review the discussion to make sure they understand.

Resources

Procedures to Promote Partnership and Participation
Below are videos explaining how to use several features of Zoom:
- Video directions: Download Zoom on computer
- Video directions: Download Zoom on phone/tablet
- Video directions: Join a Zoom meeting
- Video directions: Mute and unmute Zoom microphone
- Video directions: Using "Raise hand" and other emojis and notifications in Zoom
- Video directions: Open and use the Zoom chat
- Video directions: Change the speaker view in Zoom
- Video directions: How to share screen in Zoom
- Video directions: Accept remote control in Zoom, and how to control a computer in Zoom
- Written directions: How to Join a Zoom Meeting from an Email Message
- Written directions: Set Up Sound and Video in a Zoom Meeting
- Written directions: Zoom Meeting Controls (Buttons)
- Written directions: Video Meeting Social Rules
Google Meet is another video conferencing tool. Here arevideo directions for joining a Google Meet video call
Accessible Meetings Tip Sheet for holding meetings using different teleconference or virtual platforms

Tools to explore

Here is a list of other video conferencing platforms:

References

Examples of studies using this strategy

Benevides, T. W., Shore, S. M., Palmer, K., Duncan, P., Plank, A., Andresen, M. L., Caplan, R., Cook, B., Gassner, D., Hector, B. L., Morgan, L., Nebeker, L., Purkis, Y., Rankowski, B., Wittig, K., & Coughlin, S. S. (2020). Listening to the autistic voice: Mental health priorities to guide research and practice in autism from a stakeholder-driven project. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice, 24(4), 822–833. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320908410

Kramer, J. M., Schwartz, A. E., Watkins, D., Peace, M., Luterman, S., Barnhart, B., Bouma-Sims, J., Riley, J., Shouse, J., Maharaj, R., Rosenberg, C. R., Harvey, K., Huereña, J., Schmid, K., & Alexander, J. S. (2019). Improving research and practice: Priorities for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 12(3-4), 97-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2019.1636910

Martin, L., Grandia, P., Ouellette-Kuntz, H., & Cobigo, V. (2016). From framework to practice: Person-directed planning in the real world. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities : JARID, 29(6), 552–565. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12214

Nicolaidis, C., Raymaker, D., Katz, M., Oschwald, M., Goe, R., Leotti, S., Grantham, L., Plourde, E., Salomon, J., Hughes, R. B., & Powers, L. E. (2015). Community-based participatory research to adapt health measures for use by people with developmental disabilities. Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action, 9(2), 157–170. https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2015.0037

Examples of studies using this accommodation

Nicolaidis, C., Raymaker, D., McDonald, K., Dern, S., Ashkenazy, E., Boisclair, C., Robertson, S., & Baggs, A. (2011). Collaboration strategies in nontraditional community-based participatory research partnerships: Lessons from an academic−community partnership with autistic self-advocates. Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action, 5(2), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2011.0022

Video Conferencing