We’re challenging change-makers to address the under-representation of disabled people in shaping, visiting and working within the heritage sector. Alongside a review of past achievements this is also an opportunity to consider what can be done better in the future.

Commenting on today’s conference, HLF Chair Sir Peter Luff said: “We must reach out across boundaries and never forget that money raised through the National Lottery, which HLF spends, belongs to everyone and should benefit everyone.”

Dr Tom Shakespeare, Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, is the conference’s key note speaker and will remind people that throughout history disabled people have inspired others to build a better world. He said: “Disabled people have such a lot to share with others, with non-disabled people.  In a rapidly changing world, disabled people are the experts in readjustment, in adapting to the curve balls that life pitches at us.”

Conference delegates will be asked to pledge a specific action to develop inclusive heritage.  These will be publically shared on HLF’s website in December.