Increasing the level of participation of individuals with vision impairment and multiple disabilities: an analysis of the Multisensory Environment literature

Abstract

The aim of this survey of the literature is to identify methods to promote greater levels of participation of individuals with vision impairment and multiple disabilities in Multisensory Environment research. The analysis of 42 studies reveals participation of individuals with vision impairment and multiple disabilities is not yet explicitly employed in MSE research. However, MSE staff members do express interest in developing more effective communication strategies and recognise the need to engage in critical self-reflection to encourage increased levels of participation. Key strategies to endorse participation identified were trans-disciplinary teamwork where the person with vision impairment and multiple disabilities is included as a team member, staff education that focuses on participatory research knowledge and the application of an ongoing reflexive-dialectical perspective on practice.