FriendsF4R is a global research network dedicated to promoting inclusion and meaningful participation for children and young people with disabilities aged 0-30.

Image of a drawing made during a session at the Conference.
The image is of a piece of paper shaped like an eye. The writing in the middle reads "I hope for more autism friendly work-places". There is a pink smiley face in the corner and the border is yellow, green and blue.
An image showing what a perfect world could look like, the heading is "World Without Discrimination". There is a circle of stick figures around the edge of the world and inside it reads "harmony, freedom, friendship, one big family, world peace, honesty, openness, accepting beliefs, self love, love, acceptance, self acceptance, unity, embracing imperfection". "To make a perfect world, don't expect one" - Me

Disabled children and young people are researching and challenging the narratives that marginalise them.

We aim to:

  • support each other to share and reflect on narratives of discrimination and marginalisation, generating evidence and co-creating research advice
  • demonstrate what collaborative research in different contexts looks like promoting inclusion of existing and new groups of young disabled researchers
  • collate best practice and sustainable models for collaborative research  involving young disabled researchers and academic partnerships so that young people have more direct access to resources and funding for gaps in research that they identify 
  • support connection with groups in less well-resourced regions of the world

This website aims to reach out to other people who care about social justice across the globe. It’s for those who recognise that children and young people have a right to not only voice their concerns, but to work towards change to make the world a better place.

FriendsF4R is an international research network collaborating with academics, universities, and other organisations. Our focus is on disabled children and young people aged 0-30. We conduct research to promote inclusion and meaningful participation for this group in various contexts.
Our full name is Fighting 4 Rights: Young People’s International Evidence Network for Disability & Solidarity.
We are coproducing evidence about collaborative research and what it can achieve.