AUTHOR=Shikako Keiko , Lai Jonathan , Yoo Paul Y. , Teachman Gail , Majnemer Annette 

TITLE=Evidence-informed stakeholder consultations to promote rights-based approaches for children with disabilities

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences/articles/10.3389/fresc.2024.1322191

DOI=10.3389/fresc.2024.1322191

ISSN=2673-6861

ABSTRACT=Purpose: To strengthen the translation of evidence to actionable policy, stakeholder engagement is necessary to synthesize, prioritize and contextualize the academic research content into accessible language. In this manuscript, we describe a multi-level evidence-based stakeholder consultation process and related outcomes proposed  to promote awareness of and foster cross-sectorial collaborations toward human rights-based approaches for children with disabilities. 
Methods: Mixed-methods participatory action research done in three steps: 1.A literature review of peer-reviewed evidence on rights-based approaches in childhood disabilities; 2.Consultation with researchers in diverse fields, grassroot organizations, caregivers, and youth with disabilities; 3. A constructive dialogue with decision makers at federal and provincial levels in Canada to discuss consultations results. 
Results: Stakeholders value human rights approaches that can have a direct impact on practical aspects of their daily living. Organizations give high importance to adopting rights-based approaches to measure policy outcomes, while parents value service provision and youth emphasize opportunities for belonging and accessibility to community and daily life activities. 
Conclusion: The implementation of rights-based approaches in childhood disabilities can support policy, services, and daily lives of children with disabilities and the ecosystems around them. It can also guide research priorities, and create a common language to foster collaborations across sectors and interested parties.