Power Dynamics

The imbalance of influence, authority, or social status between individuals or groups that shapes their interactions and relationships. In accessibility research and practice, power dynamics between researchers or designers without disabilities and participants with disabilities can significantly influence study outcomes. These dynamics are shaped by factors including social distance, perceived expertise, the charity model of disability, structural ableism, and whether the researcher shares a disability identity with participants. Understanding and addressing power dynamics is essential for conducting ethical, valid accessibility research and for building genuinely inclusive design processes.