Exploring Learning Disability: Why history?

We are delighted to announce that registrations for the the next Social History of Learning Disability Conference 2016 are now open. The theme of the conference is ‘Exploring Learning Disability: Why history?’

Our keynote speakers are 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 has always been interested in how knowledge of the past can influence what happens today, and in the future. We 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.

But 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 SHLD conference will consider the ways in which history and knowledge of the past can contribute to political change and social justice. We 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. Our discussions will be informed by international and UK based papers, as well as workshops, and themed panels.

We look forward to seeing you and discussing these important issues together.

Keynote Speakers

Simon Jarrett

Simon Jarrett is a Wellcome Trust doctoral researcher at Birkbeck, University of London. His thesis examines the changing idea of ‘idiocy’ in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, before the advent of the asylum.

His interest in the history of ‘idiocy’ arose from a life time of working in organisations and projects supporting people with learning disabilities and people on the autistic spectrum. He is also the arts editor of Community Living, a magazine promoting equal rights for people with learning disabilities.

'Hidden Now Heard' project team

Paul Hunt is the manager of the Hidden Now Heard Project. He has worked for Mencap Cymru since August 2008 and has been involved with the Partners in Politics and Inspire Me Project. He also supervised a KTP project looking at increasing empathy amongst staff in challenging behaviour services.

Sara Pickard is a project officer for the Hidden Now Heard project. She is now in her tenth year of employment at Mencap Cymru. She has previously been part of the Inspire Me and Partners in Politics projects, delivering training sessions to young people with a learning disability. She is also an elected community councillor in Cardiff.

Laura Harris is a project officer and volunteer coordinator for the Hidden Now Heard project. Laura has worked for Mencap Cymru for 4 years and was previously involved in the Gateway Active Award, encouraging people with a learning disability to get more active. Laura is also a trustee of the Cynon Valley Museum.

Day One Programme

Day Two Programme

Conference Brochure 

** Registration is now closed! **