In their own words: Experiences of Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis in Britain between 1980 and 2010.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Kent
Department Name: Sch of History
Abstract
The period 1980 to 2010 has been considered a key moment in the lives of people with physical disabilities in Britain. Many have assumed that the high levels of disability activism, increased awareness, the 1981 foundation of the 'International Year of Disabled People', and legislative change as part of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) led to dramatic improvements in the quality of life for those with physical disabilities, and yet few studies to date have analysed the impact of such changes on their lives. This project seeks to change this. Conducting oral history interviews with people living with physical disabilities, their families/ carers, charities, and activists from the period, this project examines the lived experience of physical disability in Britain during 1980 to 2010, assessing to what extent experiences changed during this supposedly radical period of reform. With British society's drive towards equality and inclusivity, the voices of those with disabilities have been, and remain silenced; this project raises their voices, contributing to the growing discipline of disability history.
Whilst studies on lived experiences do exist, they are limited in scope and chronology. Addressing the period 1980 to 2010 allows comparison of experiences before the DDA's passage and after, allowing an examination of its impact. Studies conducted on behalf of the Department of Health and Pensions in 2002, and Office for Disability Issues in 2006, investigated experiences and discrimination against disabled people in Britain, but did not cover the full period of supposed change. The official nature of such studies often had the effect of reinforcing barriers through medical models of disability. The 2002 report "Disabled for Life?" sought to 'inform Government policies' rather than provide direct improvements (Grewal, Joy, Lewis, Swales, and Woodfield, 2002, p. 1). Conversely, this study will examine the varied lived experiences of physical disability in Britain across two decades of perceived change. Drawing on oral histories, amongst other sources, this project will analyse the extent to which people with disabilities continued to face barriers during this period. Assessing the impact of disability activism, charity campaigns, and Government legislation on the removal of barriers such as social perceptions, treatment of disability, accessibility, and inclusivity, this study will not only provide greater historical insight into the lives of those in this period than hitherto exists but will also impact future change. It is through such a historical study that change can be implemented, making this fundamental to the future of disability visibility, agency, and societal inclusion.
Whilst studies on lived experiences do exist, they are limited in scope and chronology. Addressing the period 1980 to 2010 allows comparison of experiences before the DDA's passage and after, allowing an examination of its impact. Studies conducted on behalf of the Department of Health and Pensions in 2002, and Office for Disability Issues in 2006, investigated experiences and discrimination against disabled people in Britain, but did not cover the full period of supposed change. The official nature of such studies often had the effect of reinforcing barriers through medical models of disability. The 2002 report "Disabled for Life?" sought to 'inform Government policies' rather than provide direct improvements (Grewal, Joy, Lewis, Swales, and Woodfield, 2002, p. 1). Conversely, this study will examine the varied lived experiences of physical disability in Britain across two decades of perceived change. Drawing on oral histories, amongst other sources, this project will analyse the extent to which people with disabilities continued to face barriers during this period. Assessing the impact of disability activism, charity campaigns, and Government legislation on the removal of barriers such as social perceptions, treatment of disability, accessibility, and inclusivity, this study will not only provide greater historical insight into the lives of those in this period than hitherto exists but will also impact future change. It is through such a historical study that change can be implemented, making this fundamental to the future of disability visibility, agency, and societal inclusion.
