One of the core activities of the TU Collaborative is conducting research in order to develop cutting edge knowledge and tools to promote the inclusion and participation of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. We believe individuals with psychiatric disabilities have a right to be included in all aspects of the research process, including as a participant in studies. Sometimes, Institutional Review Boards (IRB) doubt whether this population is competent to participate in research.

This brief document was developed to help researchers develop consent procedures that 1) ensure participants understand study procedures and 2) demonstrate this population has the capacity to consent to research participation.

The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities is a National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Our state-of-the-art research and cutting-edge knowledge translation activities seek both to broaden understanding about community integration and to improve opportunities for individuals with psychiatric disabilities to participate more fully in community life.

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