Supporting disability-inclusive knowledge translation and patient access to knowledge: A synthesis of select special education theories

Abstract

Equitable access to knowledge and knowledge translation that is inclusive to marginalized patients-including those whose health conditions have resulted in lifelong disability-may be supportive of health equity. In enhancing the evidence base of what constitutes disability-inclusive knowledge translation, patients may be better supported in their health literacy, self-management, or autonomy in making health-related decisions. To identify potential guiding principles from the discipline of special education that has been invested in providing equitable access to knowledge for patients living with disabilities across all age groups. Qualitative synthesis of existing theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) in special education is performed to identify constructs which may guide disability-inclusive knowledge translation. A search methodology adapted from PRISMA-ScR was conducted in Web of Science and Scopus to identify review-type studies in special education scholarship. A total of 69 unique review-type studies were retrieved in the English language, resulting in 21 meeting the inclusion criteria of presenting a special education TMF with potential to inform knowledge translation. Ten themes emerged through data charting of theoretical constructs, as well as open coding of five studies. Findings that may promote disability-inclusive knowledge translation are presented in a synthesized framework with 25 considerations. Special education TMFs are diverse in focus; this first-steps study illustrates significant potential of special education TMFs in informing disability-inclusive knowledge translation. Future studies that engage with a more expansive set of special education TMFs will bring value to implementation science.

Keywords: communications; frameworks; health inequalities; implementation science; knowledge mobilization; models; review; theories.