LEADERSHIP IN RESEARCH
disABILITYsa is engaged in a Participatory Action or Community-based Participatory Research (PAR/CBPR) approach to influencing policy to fulfill our vision to make San Antonio the #1 community where people with disabilities want to live, learn, work, and play.
What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)?
Participatory Action Research is a way of doing research where people in the community work together to find out about something important, take action to make it better, and learn from their experiences along the way.
What is Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR)?
Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a way of doing research that involves everyone in a community, from regular people like you and me to experts and researchers. It's all about working together to understand and solve problems that affect the community.
Imagine you and your friends notice something in your neighborhood that needs changing, like maybe there's a lack of safe spaces for young people to hang out. Instead of outsiders coming in and deciding what's best for your community, CBPR says that the people who actually live there should be the ones driving the research and decisions.
In CBPR, people from the community team up with researchers, often through community-based organizations like disABILITYsa. They share their knowledge, experiences, and concerns. They work together to come up with research questions, design studies, and analyze the results. This way, the research is more likely to be accurate and actually helpful, because it's based on real-life experiences and needs.
CBPR is a collaboration where everyone's voice matters. It helps communities tackle unique challenges, develop solutions that make sense for them, and create positive changes.
disABILITYsa invites community members and researchers to join our workshops to learn the CBPR research method
What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)?
Participatory Action Research is a way of doing research where people in the community work together to find out about something important, take action to make it better, and learn from their experiences along the way.
What is Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR)?
Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a way of doing research that involves everyone in a community, from regular people like you and me to experts and researchers. It's all about working together to understand and solve problems that affect the community.
Imagine you and your friends notice something in your neighborhood that needs changing, like maybe there's a lack of safe spaces for young people to hang out. Instead of outsiders coming in and deciding what's best for your community, CBPR says that the people who actually live there should be the ones driving the research and decisions.
In CBPR, people from the community team up with researchers, often through community-based organizations like disABILITYsa. They share their knowledge, experiences, and concerns. They work together to come up with research questions, design studies, and analyze the results. This way, the research is more likely to be accurate and actually helpful, because it's based on real-life experiences and needs.
CBPR is a collaboration where everyone's voice matters. It helps communities tackle unique challenges, develop solutions that make sense for them, and create positive changes.
disABILITYsa invites community members and researchers to join our workshops to learn the CBPR research method
CURRENT PROJECTS
Engaging Parent Voices of Children with Autism Using Storytelling
disABILITYsa is excited to partner with Michelle Casares at the University of Incarnate Word on this collaborative research project to engage parents of children with Autism as producers of knowledge as we seek to explore how parents navigate complex systems to find the resources their children need. In this project, parents will share their experiences, map care and resource assets in San Antonio, and learn methods of storytelling to help use their lived-experience to make change as a community.
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We're seeking parents of children with Autism to:
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Improving Healthcare Accessibility Research
People who are blind or have low vision face unique challenges navigating healthcare facilities, especially when clear wayfinding and accessible design are lacking. disABILITYsa is conducting a brief survey and in-person observational research study to better understand these barriers and identify what helps or hinders navigation in newly constructed healthcare environments across San Antonio. Your insights are vital. By sharing your experiences, you’ll directly inform efforts to improve accessibility, influence future facility design, and help create safer, more inclusive healthcare spaces for everyone. Your voice matters—thank you for participating.
disABILITYsa is excited to announce our collaboration on a vital research project aimed at enhancing accessibility and navigation in healthcare facilities for individuals with visual disabilities.
We're partnering with Dr. Neda Norouzi, Assistant Professor of Healthcare Facilities Planning and Design at UTSA's School of Architecture & Planning. Our Research Goals:
We Need Your Help!
We're partnering with Dr. Neda Norouzi, Assistant Professor of Healthcare Facilities Planning and Design at UTSA's School of Architecture & Planning. Our Research Goals:
- Identify and address barriers faced by people with visual disabilities in healthcare settings
- Analyze recently constructed San Antonio healthcare facilities using established guidelines
- Identify successful accommodations and barriers in wayfinding
We Need Your Help!
We're seeking participants with visual disabilities to:
Your insights are invaluable and will directly impact our recommendations for making hospitals more accessible for everyone. There are two ways to get involved in this project. Participate in our in-person research observational study and focus groups or complete our online survey. Both opportunities are linked below.
- Visit local healthcare facilities with our research team
- Share your experiences navigating these spaces
- Participate in focus group discussions about accessibility
- Help us understand what works well and what needs improvement
- Contribute to developing better accessibility solutions
Your insights are invaluable and will directly impact our recommendations for making hospitals more accessible for everyone. There are two ways to get involved in this project. Participate in our in-person research observational study and focus groups or complete our online survey. Both opportunities are linked below.
Your participation will help create more inclusive healthcare environments for all.
For questions or more information, please contact:
[email protected] | (210) 704-7262
Together, we can make a difference in healthcare accessibility!
For questions or more information, please contact:
[email protected] | (210) 704-7262
Together, we can make a difference in healthcare accessibility!
TRAININGS
EmpowerED Research - Shaping San Antonio's Future Together!
Are you ready to make a real impact in San Antonio? Join in on this series of workshops to learn how you can help determine what the future of San Antonio will look like. Discover how your voice can drive positive change and lead to a more inclusive and informed community. Unlock Your Leadership Potential and be the Change-Maker!
When you participate in this EmpowerED Research training series you will learn how to share your ideas about what kind of research would help improve our community. You'll also find out how to be part of the process of doing that research. You'll see how your thoughts and opinions can drive positive change and make sure everyone is included and has access to what's going on in our community.
What's in it for you?
Let's join hands to create a better, more inclusive San Antonio through informed and community-driven research! Your voice matters, and together, we can shape a brighter future for our community.
When you participate in this EmpowerED Research training series you will learn how to share your ideas about what kind of research would help improve our community. You'll also find out how to be part of the process of doing that research. You'll see how your thoughts and opinions can drive positive change and make sure everyone is included and has access to what's going on in our community.
What's in it for you?
- Become a Community Leader: Learn how to take the lead in shaping research that matters to you and your community.
- Influence Change: Your input will directly impact decisions that affect the community's well-being and growth.
- Decision-Making Power: Gain the skills to actively participate in research planning and implementation.
- Shape San Antonio's Research Agenda: Contribute to deciding what research is conducted in our vibrant city.
- Hands-On Learning: Grasp research concepts in simple language - no prior experience needed!
Let's join hands to create a better, more inclusive San Antonio through informed and community-driven research! Your voice matters, and together, we can shape a brighter future for our community.
PAR/CBPR Training provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to better participate in local research initiatives. During this four-day training, participants learn to frame research questions, develop their voice, and collaborate in community-based research projects.
We are excited to offer multiple opportunities for you to participate in our training sessions! You can choose between in-person or online.
IN-PERSON Training Fall 2025
Event Details:
📅 Date: Fridays, October 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st, plus a Graduation & Focus Group Discussion day
🕘 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: ConnectAbility, 5101 Medical Dr, 1st floor, San Antonio, TX 78229
ONLINE Training Coming Soon
This course will be done on your own time, at your own pace. You will be assigned one module to complete per week, then meet virtually as a group on Friday's to share your thoughts, ask questions, and learn from your cohort.
This is an application process and your participation is subject to approval. You will be notified within 3 days of your application status.
We are excited to offer multiple opportunities for you to participate in our training sessions! You can choose between in-person or online.
IN-PERSON Training Fall 2025
Event Details:
📅 Date: Fridays, October 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st, plus a Graduation & Focus Group Discussion day
🕘 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: ConnectAbility, 5101 Medical Dr, 1st floor, San Antonio, TX 78229
ONLINE Training Coming Soon
This course will be done on your own time, at your own pace. You will be assigned one module to complete per week, then meet virtually as a group on Friday's to share your thoughts, ask questions, and learn from your cohort.
This is an application process and your participation is subject to approval. You will be notified within 3 days of your application status.
EmpowerAccess: Opening Doors to Inclusive Research Engagement
Join disABILITYsa and Texas A&M University–San Antonio for an in-person training session that introduces EmpowerAccess—a new curriculum designed to transform how researchers engage with individuals with disabilities. Grounded in the principles of Participant Action Research (PAR) and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this curriculum emphasizes collaboration, co-creation, and meaningful inclusion.
Rather than simply inviting people with disabilities to participate as subjects of study, EmpowerAccess equips researchers to build authentic partnerships that prioritize lived experience, shared decision-making, and mutual benefit. The training offers tools and strategies to enhance the relevance, depth, and impact of your research by integrating the voices of those most affected.
This comprehensive, interactive session will provide the skills and insights necessary to more effectively connect with and include people with disabilities throughout every stage of the research process.
Next Event Coming Soon, Stay Tuned!
Sign up using our Interest Form below to be notified for the next session.
Be part of this vital step toward more inclusive and impactful research.
Join disABILITYsa and Texas A&M University–San Antonio for an in-person training session that introduces EmpowerAccess—a new curriculum designed to transform how researchers engage with individuals with disabilities. Grounded in the principles of Participant Action Research (PAR) and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this curriculum emphasizes collaboration, co-creation, and meaningful inclusion.
Rather than simply inviting people with disabilities to participate as subjects of study, EmpowerAccess equips researchers to build authentic partnerships that prioritize lived experience, shared decision-making, and mutual benefit. The training offers tools and strategies to enhance the relevance, depth, and impact of your research by integrating the voices of those most affected.
This comprehensive, interactive session will provide the skills and insights necessary to more effectively connect with and include people with disabilities throughout every stage of the research process.
Next Event Coming Soon, Stay Tuned!
Sign up using our Interest Form below to be notified for the next session.
Be part of this vital step toward more inclusive and impactful research.
This work is supported by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, D.C. 20201, with a 100% federal funding award totaling $6,121,860. Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor are endorsed by ACL, HHS, or the U.S. government.
