Benefits and Challenges of Using Participatory Research Among Refugees With Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Refugees face turbulent experiences while fleeing war and conflict, resulting in higher rates of disability. Refugees with disabilities (RWDs) often experience increased marginalization, which is rooted in structural oppression, leading to mistrust of institutions, including academic research. Participatory research (PR) has gained attention for its applicability in engaging underrecognized populations to challenge systemic barriers. To understand the effectiveness of PR, we conducted a scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework to synthesize published studies that used PR with RWDs and identify the associated rationales, benefits, and drawbacks. We systematically searched databases for articles that (a) were peer-reviewed and written in English, (b) included RWDs, and (c) used PR methodology. Of the 786 articles reviewed, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Building trust, collaborating with RWDs, and learning about their priorities were cited as rationales for choosing PR. Included articles noted benefits, such as generating culture-specific insights, centering participants' voices, gathering rich insights, building capacity and consent, and identifying actionable and durable solutions. Challenges such as research delays and funding barriers were identified. Our findings demonstrate the unique benefits of PR for RWDs in resettlement and host countries, specifically engaging RWDs and empowering them to take ownership of the project. Providing accommodations is critical for ensuring participation. Ethical issues and logistical constraints should be considered when implementing PR. Regardless, considering the dire needs of RWDs, PR could be a crucial approach for amplifying RWDs' voices and finding sustainable solutions, specifically to reduce structural oppression.