On the unethicality of disablism : excluding intellectually impaired individuals from participating in research can be unethical
Date
2012-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Introduction: As coconstructors of studies that may affect them directly, adults living with intellectual impairment need not be excluded as coresearchers. Assuming that these adults do not have capacity to consent as participants in research due to impaired cognitive functioning presumes
incapacity (Dye, Hendy, Hare, & Burton 2004). Exclusion on the basis of impairment could be seen as discriminating and a contravention of a non-derogable human right (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa [RSA], No. 108 of 1996). This could also be construed as unethical since
such omissions may hinder rather than enable developments to improve health and services for intellectually impaired persons. As does any South African, intellectually impaired citizens have the right to benefit from scientific progress, and even more so if they can contribute as experts to such progress (London, Kagee, Moodley, & Swartz 2011). By virtue of their expertise on disability matters, their voice may stand in public and scientific service.
Description
CITATION: Capri, C. & Coetzee, C. On the unethicality of disablism : excluding intellectually impaired individuals from participating in research can be unethical. African Journal of Disability, 1(1): 1-4, doi: 10.4102/ajod.v1i1.23.
The original publication is available at: http://www.ajod.org
The original publication is available at: http://www.ajod.org
Keywords
People with mental disabilities -- Civil rights, Research -- Moral and ethical aspects, Research -- Participation, People with mental disabilities, Intellectually impaired -- Research
Citation
Capri, C. & Coetzee, C. On the unethicality of disablism : excluding intellectually impaired individuals from participating in research can be unethical. African Journal of Disability. 1(1): 1-4, doi: 10.4102/ajod.v1i1.23