Disability Research Centre launches with public debate on impact of austerity

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Launching this week with a public debate on austerity and disability, a new interdisciplinary research centre at Goldsmiths, University of London aims to explore and address some of the biggest issues facing disabled people today.

Tim Andrews photographed by Roberto Foddai

This week at the Centre’s launch event we’ll be joined by Baroness Jane Campbell, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Disability Group, and a panel of academic experts to debate how welfare cutbacks are affecting disabled people.

Governance and power will be the focus of discussions that address some of the most pressing political and human implications of austerity measures for disabled people, including the scrapping of the Independent Living Fund.

The panel will feature academic experts from around the country, including Professor Dan Goodley from the University of Sheffield, Dr Andrew Power from the University of Southampton, and Professor Lisa Blackman and Dr Monica Greco from Goldsmiths.

This week also sees the opening of ‘Over the Hill: a photographic journey’, an exhibition of photographs documenting Tim Andrews’ struggle with Parkinson’s disease. In May 2007, Tim answered an advert in Time Out from photographer Graeme Montgomery who was compiling a book of nudes. Since then, Tim has been photographed and filmed by over 370 photographers, stating that he wanted to continue being photographed by different people during the course of his illness.

You can see a selection of photographs from his collection in the Whitehead Building foyer from 9 – 13 November.

On 11 November, the newly refurbished Deptford Town Hall Council Chamber will host a performance and talk by sonic artist and Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) policy and campaigns manager, Hugh Huddy.

Hugh is a prominent advocate for improving accessibility for partially sighted people. The following day, the Graeae Theatre Company are collaborating with members of the new Centre to run an open workshop exploring the impact of austerity on disabled people.

Disability as an intrinsic part of human life

The new Disability Research Centre, led by Professor Rob Imrie and Dr Anna Hickey-Moody, brings together academics from a range of disciplines to conduct research about disability in society. It sees disability as an intrinsic part of human life and aims to be at the forefront of shaping government policy on disability, equality and diversity while highlighting the ordinariness and relative invisibility of disability.

The Centre’s approach reflects Goldsmiths’ expertise in creativity, art practice, technology, design, mental health, well-being, social justice and innovation and conducts research that makes the lives of disabled people visible and vital, while providing a resource for disabled people of all ages to engage with the university.

Research projects taking place within the centre approach different types of disability from a range of perspectives, including the challenges designers face in creating environments that are equally accessible to all; examining the employment experiences of parents of children with ADHD; how schools exclusions are partially caused by institutional prejudice; the impact of high-speed hand-dryers on the vulnerable; experiences of autism diagnosis, and the job characteristics that are most beneficial for adults with Autism.

There is also a focus on performance with researchers looking into how learning disabled theatre makers reflect on their work, as well as a project that will explore the experiences of young carers through dance at Tate Modern.

Find out more about the Disability Research Centre's members, events, research and publications.