Registrations open for Social History of Learning Disability Research Group conference

The Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group, based in the Faculty of Health & Social Care at The Open University have announced registrations for their next 2016 Conference are now open.

The conference theme is ‘Exploring Learning Disability: Why history?’ and keynote speakers include Mencap Cymru’s ‘Hidden Now Heard‘ project team, who will reflect on their recent project about the history of learning disability institutions in Wales, and Simon Jarrett, a historian from Birkbeck, University of London.

The Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) group is interested in how knowledge of the past can influence what happens today, and in the future and have been running inclusive annual conferences about the social history of learning disability for over 20 years now. In the 1990s, the context was about institutional closure. Researchers set about capturing the history of institutions while people were alive and able to tell their stories. Since then research has also explored the history of community services; charities; and the advocacy and self-advocacy movement.

However, with the big institutions gone, what drives an interest in the history of learning disability today? Some aspects of people’s lives might be better now than in the past, but we are all aware of the ongoing challenges that many people with learning disabilities and their families face. 

Papers at this year’s conference will consider the ways in which history and knowledge of the past can contribute to political change and social justice. The conference will reflect on whether history can help to create a more inclusive society and inform current debates about the lives of people with learning disabilities today, and in the future. Discussions will be informed by international and UK based papers, as well as workshops, and themed panels.

The conference will take place on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th July 2016 at the Michael Young Building, The Open University, Walton Hall, MK7 6AA. If you have any queries or would like to attend, contact events team at: [email protected] or on +44 (0)1908 858282.