Travelling together: participatory research methods for disability inclusive road development in Papua New Guinea

Investment in road infrastructure is a recognised approach to poverty reduction in developing countries, through improving community access to essential services, social networks and economic opportunities. But in both developing and developed contexts, very few road projects involve community consultation in road planning. Road planning and assessment rarely differentiate impacts on the lives of those who are most marginalised from economic and social development, such as people with disabilities. This article provides an example of inexpensive and replicable methods that were used in partnership with a national disabled people’s organisation to undertake participatory research in Papua New Guinea on inclusive road development. Four participatory methods – focus group discussions, interviews with road decision-makers, walkabouts, and photo elicitation – are described and evaluated.

► Road access by people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea is limited.
► People with disabilities can be easily trained to research local road access.
► Easy and inexpensive forms of replicable research methods are described.