Listening to Disabled People With Complex Needs - On Their Terms

Sense

We spent time with disabled people aged 6–60, using flexible, person‑centred methods to understand what everyday life, independence and participation really look like when you have complex needs.

Through in‑depth interviews, self‑reflection tasks and gentle ethnographic observation, we adapted the research to each individual — allowing people to express themselves in ways that felt natural and accessible.

Carers and family members helped deepen the picture, showing how systems, environments and attitudes often create the biggest barriers — not the disabilities themselves.

We created anonymised case studies and insight that now shape Sense’s communications, campaigning and policy work.

Impact:

A compassionate evidence base that reveals how inclusion is built — not assumed — helping Sense advocate for environments where everyone can participate fully and with dignity.