How do people with disabilities perceive a good leader, and how do they develop their own leadership skills?

A study conducted by the University in partnership TASUBINSA, a nonprofit organization funded by the Government of Navarra, will analyze the characteristics that people with intellectual disabilities perceive as leadership and how they can foster it.

The goal to build consensus on the concept of co-leadership based on the experiences, perspectives, and knowledge of people with intellectual disabilities, using a research approach . This approach that people with disabilities are not only participants in the study but also active agents in the production of knowledge.

“The project foster a dialogue in which people with disabilities act as researchers and experts, actively contributing to the discussion of the characteristics, values, and practices that define leadership from their own perspective,” explains Araceli Arellano, project principal investigator project a member of group research and Learning research group at the University of Navarra. 

Specifically, the research to identify how people with intellectual disabilities perceive and exercise co-leadership, what the profile a good leader is, which historical and local figures inspire them, and what recommendations they can offer to promote leadership among this population. 
 

Commitment to Inclusion

“In recent decades, social and educational policies have moved toward the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. However, welfare-based models still persist, in which these individuals are viewed as recipients of services rather than as active participants in their own lives,” explains Arellano. 

The researcher emphasizes that the partnership TASUBINSA is essential. “This organization already incorporates a approach into its internship . Now we are taking it a step further by actively including people with disabilities in our research not just in our internship , internship she notes. 

"The concept of co-leadership represents a paradigm shift: people with intellectual disabilities go from being the objects of intervention to active participants with a voice, decision-making power, and influence in community life," he emphasizes. 

The research, which will run until mid-2027, aims to facilitate a process of reflection using the Delphi method, in which people with intellectual disabilities, experts, and researchers actively participate in defining co-leadership.  “We believe it is important to apply this methodology to explore the perspective of people with disabilities, foster processes of responsibility, self-determination, and staff collective growth, and recognize their right to participate in research projects, researchadds the researcher.
 

An interdisciplinary team

“Constructing the Meaning of Co-Leadership: A Participatory Delphi Study with People with Intellectual Disabilities” is a research project research forms part of project partnership the University of Navarra and Tasubinsa. 

mission statement is promote and opportunities for social inclusion for people with disabilities—particularly intellectual or development—that foster their development through occupational activities and employment a framework defends their rights and promotes their autonomy and dignity. TASUBINSA manages two types of facilities serving the community of Navarre: a Special employment Center employment an Occupational Center. Approximately 1,500 people visit the organization’s 13 centers daily, which are located in various towns across Navarre. In total, 12 professionals and users from these centers project in the project . 

On behalf of the University of Navarra, the project team project of Araceli Arellano (Principal Investigator) and Olga Lizasoain, from the School of Education Psychology. Representing TASUBINSA are Camen Ayerra, Sonia Laita (Villatuerta), Nathi Calero, Amaya Sabalza (Orkoien center), David Cifón, Cristina Yoldi (Tafalla Center), Rubén Fonseca, Amaya Bueno (Ibaiondo New Technologies Center), Antonio Augusto, Lidia García (Burlada Center), Rebeca Olleta, and Andrea Yerro (Beriain Center).