The purpose of this thesis was to develop a means of gathering feedback from Kettuki and Vanajaveden Opisto (Vanajavesi Adult Education Centre) art groups for adults with special needs. They wanted to get feedback, so that the activities of the art groups could be further developed accord-ing to the participants’ wishes, at the same time increasing their inclusion in the work. Until now there had been no systematic method of gathering feedback.

The subject and the need for this thesis came from Kettuki. The means of feedback collection needed to be suitable for the use of adults with special needs, and it was hoped that it would be easy and fast to use in practice. The gathering and giving feedback should become a natural part of the group’s activity, so that it would be useful to all participants even in the future. This thesis initially produced a framework for conversation, based on the theory of development discussion, plain language, and the author’s previous experiences with this particular art group.

The answers to the research questions were sought for by getting to know the members of the art group, interviewing them as well as by observation. A written questionnaire was sent to the art group instructors. The planning was done in cooperation with the director of Kettuki and the art group instructors. During the development process special attention was paid to the participants of the art groups and their special needs and features. Incorporating the feedback collection method into the art groups’ activities was also an important goal.

The result of this development process was casual conversation sessions based on the theories of inclusion and development discussions, tested by the art group participants and their instructor. The sessions were found to work rather well. More help to the instructors would however be needed for the sessions to become regular. The development process of the feedback tool promoted a culture of conversation and made the art group participants realize that they can affect the activities and their development.