Count Me In Diverse voices informing more accessible research

Count Me In is a new video series from MRS Unlimited exploring disabled people's experiences of quantitative research. 

Through a series of short interviews, contributors share what it is like to take part in surveys, what helps them engage, what creates barriers, and what researchers can do differently. 

The result is a practical collection of lived experiences designed to help the research sector build more accessible and inclusive surveys. 

Why does this matter? 

Online surveys are the bedrock of quantitative research, but they do not always work equally well for everyone. 

Around one in four people in the UK live with a long-term disability or condition. Yet many still encounter barriers that make it difficult, frustrating or even impossible to participate in research. These barriers can affect who takes part, whose voices are heard and ultimately the quality of the insights we generate. 

Across the industry, awareness of accessibility is growing. More organisations are investing time and effort into creating more inclusive research experiences. However, many researchers still have limited opportunities to hear directly from disabled people about what taking part in research is actually like. 

Count Me In aims to help bridge that gap. 

By listening to the experiences shared in these videos, researchers can gain a better understanding of how seemingly small decisions around survey design, language, platforms and participant experience can have a significant impact. 

What will you learn? 

Across the series, contributors share: 

• What makes them feel welcomed and able to participate 
• The challenges they encounter when surveys are not designed with accessibility in mind 
• How survey design, navigation, question formats and technology can affect participation 
• Practical changes researchers can make today 
• Why accessibility is closely linked to research quality and representation 

Some of these insights may reinforce approaches you're already taking. Others may encourage you to think differently about your next project. 

Who is this for? 

Count Me In is relevant to anyone involved in the research process, including: 

• Researchers and research agencies 
• Survey designers and scripting teams 
• Panel providers and fieldwork companies 
• Platform providers 
• Clients commissioning research 
• Anyone interested in making research more inclusive and representative 

Whether you are conducting research specifically with disabled people or running a large-scale survey with the general public, accessibility matters. 

Meet our contributors 

Jane 

Jane Manley is hearing impaired and blind and works as a Research and Insight Officer at RNIB. She regularly completes surveys both as part of her professional role and as a disabled person, giving her a unique perspective on what makes surveys accessible and inclusive. Jane is passionate about helping organisations understand how accessible survey design can improve participation and ensure every voice is heard. 

Laura 

Laura is Deaf and a BSL user from a household that uses BSL across three generations. She works in research and consultancy, so is able to bring her valuable personal and professional experience to her thoughts on designing and testing surveys. She is passionate about making research more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that distinct experiences are considered, captured and understood. Laura works closely with the Deaf community and people who are hard of hearing, which informs her practical insights into what can make surveys easier to access, understand and complete.

Samantha 

Sam is neurodivergent, with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADD. She combines her lived experience with many years of working both in her professional and volunteer capacity in the third sector focussed on disability inclusion. She has a particular interest in how technology and digital experiences can better support people with different access needs. Drawing on both her personal and professional experience, Sam shares practical insights into how the language, layout and structure of surveys can create barriers for neurodivergent people — and what researchers can do differently to make participation easier and more inclusive.

Share your experience 

We're keen to continue growing the Count Me In series and welcome contributions from people with lived experience of accessibility barriers or enablers in quantitative research. 

Whether you're a research participant, researcher, client, panel member or survey designer, we'd love to hear about your experiences. By sharing your perspective, you can help the research industry better understand what works, what doesn't, and what can be improved. 

We're particularly interested in hearing from people with a diverse range of disabilities, access needs and experiences. 

If you would like to contribute to a future Count Me In video, or find out more about the project, please contact mrs.networking@mrs.org.uk. The project team can explain what's involved and answer any questions you may have. The original contributor recruitment materials invited people with disabilities to share experiences of accessibility in quantitative research and directed enquiries via the MRS Networks address. 

Accessibility is a quality standard 

Accessibility is not simply about removing barriers. It is about making it possible for more people to participate fully, contribute their experiences and be represented in the evidence that informs decisions. 

Through Count Me In, we hope to encourage reflection, conversation and practical action across the research sector. 

Watch the videos, consider what you've heard and think about what changes you could make in your next project. 

Count Me In is an initiative of the MRS Unlimited Inclusive Research Steering Group. Further videos, contributor stories and learning resources will be added to the series over time.