Action and agency : People with intellectual disability shaping their future

The recognition of the authentic voice(s) of people with intellectual disability has been an emerging trend over the last decade and a half. Less often, however, have these voices been heard in relation to research, and directions for the future. dal Gourmet Café and Catering, which provides training in the hospitality industry for young people with disabilities in Geelong received funding to establish an action research project to develop, implement, monitor and reflect on a variety of strategies and innovations to support transition from this training and development setting into open employment. A committee of critical friends consisting largely of people with disability was established, and consultation carried out with schools, staff in training, and community employers. The committee, once educated in the action research process, designed a training program that was trialed and evaluated in three action research cycles. The program was deemed successful, but with modifications and changes as decided by the committee, and with the addition of a fourth cycle. This paper strongly argues that such inclusive research addresses significant and fundamental debates about inclusion and the rights of people with disability to exert agency and take direct grassroots action for their future.E