EuRADE : European Research Agendas for Disability Equality
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Background & Rationale

  
Recent years have witnessed the emergence of new research paradigms and perspectives in disability research. Research based on the social and human rights models are becoming more prominent, with special emphasis being placed on the principles of equality, non discrimination and full participation of people with disabilities. Key to the development of these new paradigms has been the growing demand by disabled people's organisations for a more holistic approach which addresses the underlying causes of social exclusion.
 
While challenging the traditional approaches to disability research, disabled people's organisations have also demonstrated a sustained interest in engaging in research, arguing that their voice, needs and priorities should be better represented in shaping research agendas. Yet, active participation of disabled people and disabled people's organisations in research is still a challenge. Indeed, for the most part, research on disability has been dominated by professional academics, researchers and industry.
 
Two major barriers have inhibited disabled people's organisations from effectively engaging in research:
  • Lack of knowledge and capacity for the design and implementation of research projects
  • Limited or lack of access to research funding resources and opportunities
The European Union (EU) has a long tradition of supporting research and innovation. As part of its strategy for promoting the active inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in society, it has made substantial research investments in the field of disability, in particular through its Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. However, with the exception of medical and rehabilitation research and research in the area of information and communication technologies, the EU calls for research projects rarely mention disability or research relevant to people with disabilities.
 
In the latest Seventh Framework Programme for Research & Technological Development (FP7), the European Union has invested a very small amount of funds to support activities designed to involve representatives of civil society (non-governmental organisations) in research.
 
Funded under FP7 'Science in Society' programme, the purpose of the European Research Agendas for Disability Equality (EuRADE) project is to build the capacity of disabled people's organisations to participate as equal and active partners in future research initiatives that will promote disability equality and non-discrimination in European societies.
 
This will be achieved by engaging representatives of European disabled people's organisations in activities involving policy priorities review, consultation, knowledge and capacity development, as well as mapping of research collaborations and funding opportunities over a period of 18 months (January 2008 - June 2009).