"Teaches People That I'm More Than a Disability": Using Nominal Group Technique in Patient-Oriented Research for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

van Timmeren et al. (2016) ran a small group meeting with ten adults who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. The team used Nominal Group Technique, a step-by-step way to collect ideas and vote on the best ones.

The goal was to let the adults co-design new healthcare tools. Each person wrote ideas, shared them aloud, and then ranked the most important changes they wanted.

Every adult took part. The process gave clear, usable feedback that staff could turn into real healthcare resources.

Participants said the method showed others they are "more than a disability." They felt heard and valued.

Richman (2008) used Photovoice, another discussion method, and also found that adults with IDD can be active partners, not just subjects. Both studies show talking-based tools work when people are given real power.

Heras et al. (2021) used a Delphi method with teachers to build a quality-of-life tool for students. Like A et al., they mixed expert and user voices to shape final items. The adult focus in A et al. extends the idea to healthcare.

McDonald (2012) asked adults what respectful research feels like. Their top answer matches A et al.’s outcome: treat us as teammates. Together, the papers say structure plus respect equals meaningful input.

You can add Nominal Group Technique to your next stakeholder meeting. Give clients sticky notes, let them vote, and watch usable ideas surface in under an hour. The method needs no tech and works in day-hab, clinic, or plan-of-care nights. When people with IDD shape their own tools, buy-in and dignity both rise.