Finding collections relating to d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people

One of the aims of our project is to make collections relating to d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people more visible – and to share some of the objects our Fellows and Trainees are discovering.

Some will have quite obvious connections to disabled people’s lives – a walking stick, some braille or images of disabled people. But we will also be exploring less obvious connections too. Sometimes the significance of an object is its owner; its part in a bigger story, or the way someone with lived experience of disability has responded to it. In this way we hope to broaden the ways that d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent stories are told.

Collections

STORYTELLING COAT (Coat)

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Description

Disabled people are often portrayed in stories from the media as a burden on society. Lesley created a storytelling coat to challenge the media's depiction and show how ableist views have a real effect on disabled people's lives, from their self-worth to government cuts in benefits.

The outside of the coat emphasises positive qualities of disabled people; patient, passionate, tolerant, alive, and joyful, words often unused by the media. The blue lining within the coat refers to the Conservative governments and names the 320 cabinet ministers who voted for the £30 cut in ESA benefits. Around their names are the names of those who have allegedly died from the austerity of the cuts.

Meet our Fellows and Trainees

The Curating for Change project is running eight Fellowships over 18 months and eight Traineeships over 40 days based across 20 partner museums. Learn more about our Fellows and Trainees here.

Find out more