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history
a place staked in history

The history of all kinds of people with learning disabilities in different circumstances is being
brought to life in an online archive. This resource pulls together accounts concerning
institutions, community services and advocacy – and more stories are sought

n online archive where people can
share their stories about learning
adisability history has gone live,
write Liz Tilley and Vicky Green.
The Inclusive Archive of Learning
Disability History (www.inclusivearchive.org)
can be used by everyone, including people
with profound and multiple disabilities.
The archive project ran over 2014-17. It
built upon years of research supported by
the Open University’s Social History of
Learning Disability Group. It covers a wide
array of work on the history of
institutions, community services and
advocacy bodies, much of which was The research team demonstrate how different components of the project were brought together
generously financed by the Heritage
Lottery Fund. In addition, the legal advice we secured disability heritage
Twenty years after the group was has opened up opportunities to enable
founded, we decided it was time to pull more people with learning disabilities to backed by the lottery
together all the research, stories, memories be involved in archives, which is a
and artefacts that people had collected. fantastic outcome.
We wanted to produce an online based on our research findings, we built nterested in how learning disabled
archive that would be fully accessible and a prototype, which is now live. people influenced everyday life in the
enable people to make good decisions We would like to encourage as many ipast and today? Curious about how
about what they shared, how and with people as possible to explore the archive they change policy, influence activism
whom. This meant building a team of and add their projects to it (see box). We and improve human rights for all of us?
researchers with and without learning are now developing the prototype into a At Heritage Lottery Fund, we are too,
disabilities who were employed as equals. sustainable archive to ensure all this writes Liz Ellis. We use National Lottery
We also worked with local archives to wonderful material is preserved. n players’ money to fund a wide range of
explore how collections could be opened ● Find out about the project on its activities that benefit heritage, people
up to people with learning disabilities and accessible website: http:// and communities across the UK.
what needed to happen to support more inclusivearchiveproject.org HLF cares about inclusion. Since 1994,
of them to participate in local heritage. we have awarded more than £40 million
The aim was always to create an archive Vicky Green is a researcher and to over 900 projects that specifically
that was truly inclusive. So it needed to self-advocate; Liz Tilley is a lecturer at the benefit disabled people, many of which
involve all people with learning disabilities Open University enable them to explore the history and
– including those with profound and heritage of disability.
multiple learning disabilities, whose lives A talking teapot Our Inclusive Heritage conference in
holds oral
are so often hidden from public view. histories of 2015, and popular Community Discussion
To do this, we had to tackle confusion learning Forum (see box) increase opportunities
and anxiety regarding the Mental Capacity disabled people, for people with disabilities to share
Act 2005 (England and Wales) and provide part of Hidden knowledge about the projects they lead
legal clarity around best interests decisions Now Heard, a and boost expertise.
project funded
when it comes to sharing stories and by the Heritage As a funder, we are always keen to
depositing in archives. This was achieved. Lottery Fund promote great partnership and
co-production models.
In particular, we are very proud to work
Get involved Join the conversation at the Heritage with the Inclusive Archive Project, funded
Explore and read stories on the online Lottery Fund’s How Can We Make by the Arts and Humanities Research
Inclusive Archive of Learning Disability Heritage Inclusive for Everyone? forum: Council. We feel sure future HLF
History. The website also includes ● www.hlf.org.uk/community/ applicants will find inspiration in it. n
resources to help get people started. general-discussions/how-can-we-make- Teapot: Paul Pickard
● www.inclusivearchive.org heritage-inclusive-everyone Liz Ellis is policy adviser, community and
diversity, at Heritage Lottery Fund

28 Vol 31 No 4 | Summer 2018 community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk