Category: Participatory Research

Team members taught self-advocates from across Texas about getting paid to work on projects. Over 25 people played a game we created called “Know Your Worth!” This fun and fast game teaches that people’s work is valuable. They should be paid for it. But it’s important to be careful if you get benefits like SSI and SSDI.

People with all abilities joined in. Some used their hands to slap card matches. Some used their voices to shout out key words. By the end, everyone was a winner and took home a prize. They also took home new knowledge about working on projects for pay.

People had so much fun, they asked for copies of the game. Stay tuned and tell your friends and colleagues to sign up for our mailing list. We will share it there for free in the next couple of months!

The Participatory Action Research Team is heading to Denton. We will be presenting at the Texas Advocates Conference Saturday, 7/29.

We will host a card tournament with lots of prizes. Players will also learn about working on projects for pay. They’ll learn:

• People with IDD should work on projects about their lives.
• Their lived experience has great value.
• They should be paid for their work.
• They can be careful about working while receiving benefits.

To learn more about the conference, check out the Texas Advocates website. Come by our exhibit table. Come to our presentation. Or catch us in between!

PAR stands for Participatory Action Research. That just means that people with IDD should be part of projects about them. We have some amazing folks on our teams!

Over the next 3 years, we will:

• Create a visual vocabulary list. It will use plain language and pictures. It will help researchers and people with IDD work together more easily.
• Create free training for people with IDD. They will learn about getting paid to work on projects.
• Create tools for researchers. These will include graphic organizers, support checklists, surveys, and more.
• Connect people with IDD to projects. We want many self-advocates working on projects about their lives. We want organizations to hire them.

Join our mailing list by filling out the form on the right. You’ll get updates about our work.