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.
Projects
From Tips to Technology
A group of young disabled people explored the heritage of South Wales to develop a sense of their identity.
Projects
Improving disabled access to Kew Palace
As part of a wider conservation project, Historic Royal Palaces is working with local disabled people to improve access to Kew Palace.
Projects
Batscapes - for People and Bats
A team of 50 volunteer bat wardens worked to increase the population of horseshoe bats in South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset through monitoring, habitat management and education.
Projects
People Like Us
A two-year project explored, collected and shared the social and cultural history of people with learning disabilities in the Liverpool and the Merseyside region.
Projects
Back to School: Lessons to Learn
The Scottish Council on Deafness (SCOD) created a series of workshops on the educational experiences of older D/deaf people.
Projects
Hidden Now Heard
Royal Mencap Society secured funding to record, exhibit and preserve the hidden heritage of people with learning disabilities.
Projects
Mental health recovery through Our Histories project
Our Histories promoted mental health recovery by offering participants the opportunity to research their personal histories through storytelling, research, and visits to heritage sites.
Projects
The Renaissance Globe Project
The Museum of the History of Science in Oxford illuminated the astonishing history of globe-making for thousands of children and families.
Projects
Rock Band: the UK's geological heritage
Five museums and heritage organisations in the south east of England found new ways to engage audiences with their geological collections.
Projects
A Sense of the Past: a Social History of Blindness in Northern Ireland
A Sense of the Past researched and recorded the first social history of blindness in Northern Ireland, covering the period from the 1800 to the present day.
Projects
Heritage 1st
People in Cardiff and Newport recorded the memories of those who lived and worked at Ely Hospital, a controversial institution for people with learning disabilities.
Blogs