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Investing in disability heritage

Investing in disability heritage

At the Heritage Fund, we believe everyone should be able to benefit from our funding.

Disabled people are under-served in every area of the heritage sector, including people who are learning disabled, people with physical or sensory disabilities or those living with dementia or using mental health services.

We are working in partnership with disabled people to change this unfair situation. Under our Heritage 2033 investment principles inclusion, access and participation must be part of every project we fund.

Disabled people are far more likely to be digitally excluded, face barriers to communication, and feel more socially isolated. Even before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions were more likely to experience poor mental health and wellbeing. 

We know that this is something that heritage projects can help to address.

Ewan Bachell, Project Manager at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Here are some of the inspirational projects run by disabled people or delving into the history of disability in the UK. If you've got an idea, we'd love to hear from you.

Three wheelchair users protesting about the inaccessibility of public transport. They are in a busy road in London and have stopped a bus. The central figure has handcuffed themself to the bus and the person on the right of the photograph is about to do the same. The central figure also holds a placard that says “2007 WE WILL RIDE 2007”. On the pavement behind them a crowd looks on.
The Disabled People’s Archive is preserving moments of protest and community. Credit: The Disabled People's Archive, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People.

Stories

Access and activism: the archives preserving disabled people’s heritage

Meet two projects in the north of England opening up their archives to shine a spotlight on the fight for disability rights.
Participants at tables making baskets at the Beacon Centre
Participants with a visual impairment making wicker baskets at a Beacon Centre workshop. The tactile craft has a long history and remains popular at the charity. Credit: The Beacon Centre.

Projects

Shining a light on the heritage of the sight loss community

In its 150th year, the Beacon Centre for the Blind in Wolverhampton will preserve the stories of visually impaired people and make the city’s archives more accessible.

A collage of black and white photographs of person smiling, two people laughing with their arms around one another and a runner with their arms in the air wearing a medal
The project will record and archive memories of learning disability and family life. Credit: Mencap Cymru.

Projects

Preserving the heritage of learning disability and parenting

Mencap is collecting and sharing the stories of the families it’s supported across Wales over its 80-year history.

Two people laughing with a recording device on the table in front of them
The project is supporting those with lived experience of learning disability to share their personal stories. Credit: United Response.

Projects

Our Life Stories: capturing hidden histories of disability

United Response is preserving the heritage of people with learning disabilities through a series of peer-to-peer interviews.

A group of people pose in the entrance of a new walled garden
The opening of the new walled garden. Credit: South West College.

Projects

Sharing skills at Enniskillen Workhouse

Workhouse Connect has supported students with special educational needs to connect with one another and learn new skills.

People sit on chairs in a circle watching someone give a presentation. In the foreground a video camera films them.
Video offers an accessible way of preserving Deaf heritage. Credit: British Deaf Association.

Projects

Uncovering Deaf stories in Northern Ireland

A new heritage video library is sharing the untold stories of Northern Ireland’s sign languages and Deaf communities.

Person standing in front of a display of roller posters
Rosemarie with 'Neurodiversity through the ages' display

Projects

Neurodiversity through the ages

Educating local communities in Grimsby about neurodiversity throughout human history, including – the development of psychiatry as a discipline, the history of diagnoses and how society treated neurodivergent people.

Two visitors use a smart phone to scan a QR code that unlocks additional interpretation and audio guides about the Scottish national collection.
Visitors use a smartphone to access digital guides during their visit. Credit: National Galleries of Scotland.

Stories

Reconnecting Scotland with its national collection

The National Galleries of Scotland has transformed the Scottish galleries in Edinburgh, with the needs of local – and global – audiences at the heart of the project.
Intricate ceiling by William Burges at Cannaught Hall at Maison Dieu Dover.
The Connaught Hall with its intricate ceiling by William Burges. Credit: Maison Dieu.

Projects

Reawakening Dover's Maison Dieu

This internationally significant NeoGothic building will be accessible to the public for the first time in its 800-year history.

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