Disability History Month | USW and Cwm Taf People First team up to amplify the voices of people with learning disabilities

The University of South Wales (USW) has received funding from Cwm Taf People First, a charity run by and for people with learning disabilities, for an exploration of the lived experiences of people with learning disabilities over hundreds of years.

The aim is to explore the collective voice of people with learning disabilities, in Cwm Taf, from experiences in Victorian institutions to present-day experiences.

In 2024, the national Eisteddfod returns to the Cwm Taf region. It is the years of past Eisteddfod’s in the region that provide the historical touchpoints for the research, from as far back as 1861.

Dr Steven Walden, Lecturer and Research Fellow, Learning Disability Nursing, said: “Some of the older members of Cwm Taf People First will remember, and have experience of, the institutions that people with learning disabilities were forced to endure. Even though services have come a long way since then, people are still living with institutionalised restrictions and lacking certain freedoms such as curfews, access to education, and the choice of starting families. These restrictions still in place and should not be and this is why explorative research must uncover these inequalities.

“As well as the exploration of the history, there will be an artistic expression on the Maes at Eisteddfod 2024. The performing arts element of the project will comprise artwork and song, focusing on the voice of people with learning disabilities being heard, using community inclusivity and unity as themes. The song will be performed in Welsh and British Sign Language."

Dr Walden was approached by Dawn Price at Cwm Taf People First following on from their previous research collaboration, with Associate Professor Owen Barden at Liverpool Hope University, into the case of Antonia Grandoni, a woman with learning disabilities living in Italy during the 19th Century. They found that many of Antonia's experiences seem similar to what people with learning disabilities often encounter today, including discrimination, segregation, and dehumanisation.

Dr Walden said: “The case of Antonia highlighted that restrictions imposed on people with learning disabilities that should have been left in the past have not been left in the past. Part of the reason for doing this research with Cwm Taf People First is for the collective voice of people with learning disabilities in Cwm Taf to continue to be heard in new and innovative ways to reach the public consciousness. The other reason is giving people with learning disabilities choices in what they want to research. As with the Antonia Grandoni paper, the research is fully participatory. The Eisteddfod historical research project was chosen by the members of Cwm Taf People First. The resulting academic paper will be contributed to and co-authored by members of People First.”

Dawn Price, Organisational Manager at Cwm Taf People First said: “The findings of this exploration of the past and current times has amazed our younger members with learning disabilities, especially the way that people were treated in the past and how they had to fight to make their lives better for the future. We are looking forward to showcase our findings at the Maes in 2024.”