Working together to create a new living archive of learning disability history

Sue Ledger, Vicky Green and Nigel Ingham

Background

Three universities and two self-advocacy groups have been given money to work together. The project is to put people with learning disabilities at the centre of recording and telling their own history. The task is to create a model living archive of learning disability history. People with learning disabilities are working as researchers in setting up the new living archive. In November 2014 we began work as the research associates on the project.

 An image of the logos of the organisations involved in the project

The Living Archive

This new living archive aims to help lots of people learn about life stories and learning disability history. It is called living so people can keep adding to it. We want people to tell their own stories and for it to keep growing.

 The Living Archive

The story so far

  • Who will use the archive.
  • Ideas to make sure that people with high support needs are fully included.
  • What people want to put into the archive.
  • How people want to use it.
 The story so far

Working together

Using inclusive research methods.

What we have learned from working together on the archive.

Keeping people with learning disabilities at the centre.

 An image of a man drawing on a whiteboard

Endings

Next steps ...

Any comments or questions?

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Biographies

Sue Ledger - Sue is a researcher with the Faculty of Health & Social Care at The Open University. Sue's PhD 'The Staying Local Project' used inclusive research methods to explore stories of local support for people with learning disabilities. She is currently employed as a researcher on the Digital Archive Project.

Vicky Green - Vicky is currently working as a Research Associate as part of the Living Archive Project team. Vicky joined the team with a background of working as a Mencap Young Ambassador where, amongst other events, she worked on Mencap's Anti-bullying Campaign and attended a self-advocacy event at the Houses of Parliament. Vicky is experienced at helping with campaigns and working with self-advocates.

Nigel Ingham - Nigel is a Research Associate with the Faculty of Health & Social Care at The Open University. Nigel is a community oral historian, with a strong and long-standing interest in the social history of learning disability. He is part of the research team on the Living Archive Project.

Contact us

About the Group

If you woud like to get in touch with the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group, please contact:

Liz Tilley 
Chair of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group
School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

About the website

If you have any feedback or would like to report a problem with the website, please contact WELS-Research-Admin@open.ac.uk.