Adapting Participatory and Creative Online Approaches in Low- and Middle-Income Context: Engaging Children With Physical Disabilities in Mumbai, India

Participatory and creative methods have gained traction in childhood disability research for eliciting children’s perspectives. However, little is known about how such approaches can be meaningfully adapted to online mode in low- and middle-income contexts (LMICs), where infrastructural, technological, and cultural barriers often restrict participation. Using a case example from Mumbai, where a study on school participation among children with physical disabilities was conducted, we illustrate how photo elicitation and mental map drawing were adapted for online use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we demonstrate/discuss: (a) how the combination of such online approaches can be used effectively to support children’s participation in qualitative research; (b) how these approaches were adapted to an online environment in an LMIC setting; (c) possible limitations and challenges that are shaped by LMIC realities; and (d) analytic strategies. By amplifying methodological lessons from Mumbai, this paper contributes practical insights for researchers seeking to meaningfully involve children with disabilities in LMICs and other low-resource settings.