Investing in disability heritage
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.
![Four people play musical instruments including the drums and guitar in front of memorabilia from the Punk era](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/punk-rage-revolution-alex-wilkinson.jpg.webp?itok=si-FZVdK)
News
Success for heritage projects in the National Lottery Awards
Projects
Sense’s project blossoms in National Trust gardens
‘Internal Gardens’ used wearable technology to help people with complex disabilities create tactile connections with natural heritage.
![A black and white group photo of about 30 people. The front row of people are using wheelchairs, with others standing on steps behind them.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/ndacaheaton1.4120160224web_copy.jpg.webp?itok=nheUrlAe)
Blogs
Sharing radical heritage demands a radical approach
![Esther Fox holding a metallic cross-fingers award](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/br4443-national-lottery-awards-2023-esther.jpg.webp?itok=hyw50fCD)
Videos
Esther Fox is the National Lottery Awards Heritage Winner for 2023
![Four young people chatting and looking at a display of a small historical model settlement](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Fellows%20at%20galleries%20of%20Museum%20of%20London%201.jpg.webp?itok=WCADZRze)
Stories
How to make recruitment fair and open to all
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.
Projects
Our Heritage: supporting D/deaf children in Walsall
Families of children with D/deafness or hearing impairments took part in social activities that taught them about local heritage, traditions and skills passed down through generations.
![People in period costumes with children in front of an old train](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Open%20Day%20April%202022%20%20%204%20%20JPG.JPG.webp?itok=Rghc_ZcY)
Stories
Why you should involve people with lived experience in your heritage project
Projects
‘Into the garden and beyond’ – improving visitor access to Parc Cefn Onn
A £454,000 grant is enabling people to enjoy improved access to the Grade II listed historic park in Cardiff.
![Image of disabled person in 1990s, protesting with plaque saying public transport means me too Image of disabled person in 1990s, protesting with plaque saying public transport means me too](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/2%20Keith%20on%20demontrations%20in%20the%201990s%20postard%20version%20IMG_4006.jpeg.webp?itok=ZPRX0Qhn)
News
Creating an archive for historic disability rights movement
![A space suit exhibited in a museum](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Science%20Museum%20image.jpg.webp?itok=q_A2TpPE)
Stories
Report: museums and heritage sites need to improve online accessibility information
Publications