Disability and Industrial Society

All of the literature readings from our exhibition 'From Pithead to Sick Bed'. For transcripts and information, check out our website: http://www.dis-ind-soc.org.uk/en/literature-readings.htm

Andrea Gordon of Guide Dogs Cymru and the audience discussion at our event for Being Human Festival 2015, 'Disability and Wellbeing: Past, Present and Future'. Recorded at Swansea University, 17 November 2015. Research on the so-called ‘disability paradox’ has shown that life-limiting impairment is not necessarily a barrier to happiness and wellbeing, with many disabled people reporting a good quality of life. Swansea University researchers and academics at the universities of Aberystwyth, Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde, are uncovering historical attitudes towards disability through the experiences of those disabled in the coal industry of the 18th–20th centuries. What do these ‘hidden histories’ tell us? How do these historical experiences compare to those of people today? What more can be done to improve people’s prospects, happiness and social inclusion? This public debate, in partnership with Disability Wales, focuses on how the happiness and wellbeing of disabled people have changed over time.

David Turner, Daniel Blackie and Alexandra at our event for Being Human Festival 2015, 'Disability and Wellbeing: Past, Present and Future'. Recorded at Swansea University, 17 November 2015. Research on the so-called ‘disability paradox’ has shown that life-limiting impairment is not necessarily a barrier to happiness and wellbeing, with many disabled people reporting a good quality of life. Swansea University researchers and academics at the universities of Aberystwyth, Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde, are uncovering historical attitudes towards disability through the experiences of those disabled in the coal industry of the 18th–20th centuries. What do these ‘hidden histories’ tell us? How do these historical experiences compare to those of people today? What more can be done to improve people’s prospects, happiness and social inclusion? This public debate, in partnership with Disability Wales, focuses on how the happiness and wellbeing of disabled people have changed over time.

In the final podcast to accompany our exhibition, Mark Stone of Swansea Access for Everyone (SAFE) and volunteer for RNIB Swansea, reviews our exhibition and talks about access to museums and exhibitions for blind and visually impaired people.

Our second exhibition podcast features George Brinley Evans, writer and ex-miner. George walks through our exhibition with Mike Mantin and talks about the loss of his eye in the mine, working after the accident, life in a mining village and starting his writing career.

In the first of a series of podcasts about our exhibition, 'From Pithead to Sick Bed', Kat Watkins from the disability group Swansea Access For Everyone (SAFE) tours the exhibition and talks about how disability history connects to her own experience and activism. In conversation with Mike Mantin.

A recording of a public talk by Dr Daniel Blackie. Part of our Disability History Festival for the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea. It is often said that the Industrial Revolution is to blame for the discrimination and marginalisation experienced by disabled people. This talk draws on historical research from the Disability and Industrial Society 1780-1948 project (co-ordinated by Swansea University) and assesses how accurate this view really is. In doing so, the presentation aims to demonstrate that disability history is of significance to everyone, not only disabled people.

A recording of a public talk by Dr Mike Mantin. Part of our Disability History Festival for the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea. Although the popular image of Victorian and Edwardian special education was one of drab, indoor learning routines, there was also an important role for leisure, play and sport. This talk will explore its history using records from the Chailey Heritage School in Sussex and the Cambrian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in Swansea. Sports days for disabled children, the supposed ‘pure’ healing powers of outdoor play and fears of flirtation at Deaf athletics meetings will all be uncovered.

A recording of a public talk by Dr David Turner. Part of our Disability History Festival for the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea. Although the modern Paralympic movement began after the Second World War, sporting events involving people with disabilities have a longer history. During the eighteenth century, for example, there were many reports in the press of races, boxing bouts and even cricket matches involving people with physical impairments. This presentation takes a long view of disability and sport asking whether in the past the sporting feats of people with disabilities were viewed with admiration, or whether they were exploited for other people’s amusement.

In the final recording from our Scottish roadshow, a panel discusses the realities of life in the coalfields for disabled people. Panelists were Nicky Wilson (General Secretary, NUM Scotland), Alex Bennett (NUM representative on Medical Appeals Tribunals) and Prof Ken Donaldson (Emeritus Professor of Toxology, University of Edinburgh)

Ewan McVicar introduces the schools project and sings songs from the coalfields, including a new song written by the children (http://www.miningdisabilityscotland.com/). Also Rab Wilson reads from his poetry.

The Scottish band Travelling Folk sing traditional mining ballads.

Alex Rees discusses Joe Corrie's play 'The Darkness', about a miner blinded by an accident at work, with live readings from the play.

Arthur McIvor introduces our Scottish roadshow and Iain Hutchison asks 'Why do we do disability history?'