We Are “Both in Charge, the Academics and Self-Advocates”: Empowerment in Community-Based Participatory Research

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) brings academics and community members into research partnerships. Although power is central to CBPR, little is known about community partners' experience with empowerment in CBPR with people with developmental disabilities. We interviewed 15 community partners with and without developmental disabilities about empowerment in CBPR. Community partners identified empowered mindsets and behaviors and CBPR factors that facilitated or hindered their empowerment. Our findings indicate CBPR provides opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to gain and develop important qualities, such as empowerment. However, CBPR partnerships need to be carefully constructed and monitored to fully realize positive outcomes.