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Our Lives Our Centre Our Story

Our Lives Our Centre Our Story. An Oral History Project. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Recording The History Of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre.

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Our Lives Our Centre Our Story

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  1. Our LivesOur CentreOur Story An Oral History Project

  2. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund

  3. Recording The History Of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre

  4. A 12 month project recording the history ofBirmingham Disability Resource Centreand it’s origins in Birmingham Disability Rights Groupusing oral history methodology

  5. Research & interviews Transcription & editingOnline history blogBookAudio CDExhibitionVolunteer training

  6. 1977Bob Findlay arrives in Birmingham to study at the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies 1985 Birmingham Disability Rights Group established1992Opening of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre

  7. “A voluntary organisation set up by people with disabilities to work together to overcome societal barriers: environmental, attitudinal and institutional, which effectively prevent people with disabilities from claiming equal citizenship rights. As a pressure group BDRG has two main aims: to promote awareness of disability issues within the wider community and to promote the philosophy of self development and empowerment amongst the range of people who comprise the social group people with disabilities”

  8. 1985 • First discussion at BDRG on the idea of a resource centre run by and for disabled people: • “Research carried out by BDRG suggested that the best plan for achieving its aims would be to set up a Disability Resource Centre (DRC) which will provide: • -        a social meeting place • -        training opportunities • -        a comprehensive information and library service • Members of BDRG visited the Disability Resource Centre at Waltham Forest, East London. • Later on, city councillors and officers also made a fact-finding visit to the same centre in London

  9. Key Features of BDRG • Driven by a tight core group of Disabled People • An inner circle with personalities playing a very big role • Strong commitment to the Social Model of Disability & self determination • Radical, challenging, uncompromising & outspoken campaigning style • Cross impairment – committed to inclusion • Making links with other disabled people’s organisations nationally • A strong Birmingham centred identity • A strong emphasis on letter writing & media debates

  10. 7 year campaign to get a • Disability Resource Centre • Supportive local authority officers • Economic development funding • Emphasis on training and employment • Driven participation and negotiation • Consistent lobbying & feasibility research

  11. Issues on opening the BDRC • Officers felt caught between two poles • Local authority agendas dominated • Less emphasis on Independent Living • Location away from the city centre • Service provision driven by funding • Voice and identity of BDRG weakened • Conflicts between BDRG and BDRC • New personalities with new agendas • Professionalisation

  12. Legacy of BDRC • Long established service provider in Birmingham • Good relationships with local authority and funders • Developing a networking role in Birmingham • Current site and building under threat • Developing it’s information and support services • Pursuing business models

  13. Lessons from oral history approach • Importance of informed consent • A painful journey for some people • Convincing all parties to participate • Good use of volunteers • Proper methodology and techniques • Keeping on subject whilst creating context • Sharing with mainstream archive

  14. A Penny For Your Thoughts Birmingham Disability Resource Centre

  15. In Memory of M.W.Alcock

  16. …a penny for your thoughts anyone? Our Lives, Our Centre, Our Story pmillington@disability.co.uk Telephone 0121 789 7365 Minicom 0121 789 9230

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