In recognition of World Health Day earlier this month, Renee Dease met with David Duncan. David shared what it meant to help shape Special Olympics global health report, Focusing on the Invisible, and why including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in health research is essential. Read their conversation below.
World Health Day
This month I spoke with David Duncan about inclusive research and his work on helping shape the Special Olympics global health report, Focusing on the Invisible. David is a Special Olympics athlete and Health Messenger from Jamaica who participates in volleyball, basketball, football, cricket, and track and field. He has been involved with Special Olympics since 2012 and currently serves as the Special Olympics International Global Athlete Leadership Council (GALC) Chairman.
The GALC features an Athlete Leader from each of the seven regions and provides feedback, guidance, and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Global Leadership Team. David has been a part of the GALC since January 2024 and says one of the reasons he enjoys serving on the Council is the opportunity to represent Special Olympics athletes and people with IDD globally.
David's perspective, echoing the voices of individuals with IDD worldwide, helped shape Special Olympics global health report, Focusing on the Invisible, from the beginning.
Focusing on the Invisible
Overall, the need for further action to support people with IDD within health systems is clear. This report constitutes a call to action for governments and other stakeholders to focus on the invisible in order to meet the health needs of people with IDD and move towards health for all.
Focusing on the Invisible explains why it is important for everyone to understand the social and rights-based model of disability. The report includes what people with IDD have shared about their experiences, needs, and suggestions for health systems. It calls on governments to take action in four areas:
- Governance, Leadership, and Engagement
- Person-Centered Care
- Health and Care Workforce
- Data for Monitoring and Research
David wrote a powerful letter asking healthcare workers, researchers, and policymakers to learn and understand the health of people with IDD. Too often the health needs of people with IDD are overlooked, which leaves many unable to live their healthiest lives.
Reflecting on his experience, David described how meaningful the opportunity was. "I wrote the athlete letter so the key message would get to health leaders and decision-makers. I had the opportunity to be a part of the letter and also sign it… I felt very honored to have been included in the process and give my feedback. It made me feel good to know that as an athlete and a person with IDD, my voice and my opinion were sought."
In addition to writing the introduction letter, David emphasized that including people with IDD in research about their health leads to stronger results. "Our voices matter—we want to be an active part in determining our health needs and part of the research," he added. David also highlighted that Focusing on the Invisible is a health report grounded in the lived experiences of people with IDD. He explained, "It is a health report that is based on us, so it should include us… to ensure that the outcome is correct, that the findings are correct as it relates to us."
For David, the key message of the report is simple, "Nothing about us without us. That also includes our health."
He hopes the report helps health care workers, researchers, and policymakers better understand the lived experiences of people with IDD and recognize the value they bring. "We are a vulnerable part of society, but we are also very valuable," David says. "We have a lot to give back, and when we are healthy, we can do so in the best way we can."
Interested in learning more? Check out Special Olympics global health report, Focusing on the Invisible, to find specific recommendations that can be used to drive change.
