Four virtual Truth & Reconciliation Forums were held in July and August 2021. They were attended by 9 young adults ages 18-40 with IDD-MH and 6 family members.
The purpose of the forums was to support persons with IDD-MH and their families to:
- Learn about harms in research and their impact on people, practice, and society
- Begin to reconcile past harms with researchers through apology and dialogue
- Learn about their rights as research participants and the different roles they can have in the research process
- Think about the benefits of research and the type of research that is important to them
- Learn from and with other young adults with IDD-MH about how to get involved in research
The Truth & Reconciliation Forums included two, 2-hour virtual sessions. Information was shared in multiple ways to accommodate different learning preferences and needs. The leadership team recorded videos to introduce specific content. After watching the videos, local co-facilitator teams led young adults and family members in discussion and other learning activities.
Truth & Reconciliation Session 1 included:
• Welcome & Review of Consent
• What is Research
• Rights in Research
• Harmful Research Practices in the United States
• Apology from IDD-MH Researchers
• Wrap-up
Truth & Reconciliation Session 2 included:
• Welcome & Review of Session 1
•Being Part of the Team: Getting Involved in Research
• What Type of Research is Important to Me? Benefits of • • Research
• Barriers in Research: What Might Get in the Way
• Wrap-up/Evaluation
We developed a packet of materials to support the co-facilitator teams including an agenda, slides, videos, and a facilitator activity guide. Materials could be customizable for the co-facilitator team’s work style, and the support needs of the intended audience.