Disability Activism Bristol
Disability Activism Bristol: a History is a part of the Forging Our Future project. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to tell the story of the Disabled People’s movement in Bristol from the 1980’s to 2010.
Bristol was a central place for Disability activism during this period and the Social Model of Disability became widely used here long before it did in many other cities. But this history has not been written before. Forging Our Future was developed to fill this gap.
Purpose and goal
Disability Activism Bristol: A History celebrates the untold stories of Disabled activists in Bristol from the 1980s to 2010. The project aims to:
- Preserve the history of Bristol’s role in the Disability Rights Movement.
- Inspire change through the stories of activists’ struggles and achievements.
- Provide educational resources to support teaching about Disabled history.
Partnerships
This project would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our dedicated partners.
Research Group
The Disability Activism Bristol project was co-produced by young Disabled researchers trained in oral history and archival techniques. Adapting to the Covid-19 lockdown, they conducted interviews via Zoom, uncovering themes and stories that highlight Bristol’s history of Disability activism.
Activists' Stories
Many activists from Bristol’s Disability movement participated in oral history interviews led by the young researchers. While not every key figure could be interviewed, the project captured a wealth of previously unrecorded history.
Photographs
David Constantine’s bio showcases his renowned career as a photographer and advocate, emphasizing his dedication to capturing meaningful narratives. Through his work on this project, he thoughtfully selected backgrounds and placements to complement the stories being told, ensuring that each image reflected the essence of the individuals and their contributions to Disability activism.
Help us by donating
We now need to grow our income from donations, as well as from grants. This would enable us to do more of the work our members want us to be doing that it is difficult to get funding for. So, please do think about supporting us and visit our Donate page.