Disability Activism Bristol (DAB)

THE TEAM: Elijah Morales, Marlene de Rauglaudre, Tom Upton and Najah Mohammed

Research Aim: The project sought to develop an educational resource for teachers and learners on Disability Activism in Bristol, designed to be accessible to all. Through a series of workshops and activities conducted with schools, we gathered valuable information to enhance awareness and understanding of disabilities.

The Facilitators: Local Learning, a Community Interest Company established by Ruth Myers and Pete Insole.

Our Collaborators: We worked alongside David Ellington, a deaf filmmaker, WAIT (WECIL's Access & Inclusion Team) members and UWE film students. We were also accompanied by Lisa Lloyd Flach, a BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter.

The Brief: Disability Activism Bristol (DAB), a movement started in the 1980s, raises awareness about the challenges disabled people face in their everyday lives. In the first phase of the DAB project, the National Lottery Heritage funded Forging Our Future, which supported a group of young disabled people in creating an exhibition to highlight the various challenges experienced by the disabled community. The exhibition and movement aimed to raise awareness while advocating for equality and independent living. In this current phase of Disability Activism Bristol, our team worked with Local Learning to develop a learning and teachers resources that would be accessible to others in the future. The content of these resources was refined through workshops we organized with Ruth Myers. During each workshop, we observed, discussed challenges, and raised awareness about all types of disabilities. 

Methodology: Workshops with City of Bristol College:
For our first workshop, we travelled from College Green in the city centre to Ashley Down (City of Bristol College campus) with neurodiverse students and/or who have a physical impairment. During the journey, we documented the challenges and obstacles these students may encounter in their daily lives. The journey was recorded by David Ellington, a deaf film maker and photographer.

The second workshop focused on collaboratively designing a board game with the students, incorporating the obstacles we had observed. This approach serves to facilitate learning and promote awareness through an engaging and playful medium. 

 Methodology: Workshops with Bristol City Academy:
In an initial workshop with students from Bristol City Academy, we explored the concept of accessible spaces and discussed strategies to make schools as inclusive as possible. During this session, the students collaborated to design a Youth Centre that prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility for all.

In a subsequent session, the students engaged with members of WAIT (WECIL's Access & Inclusion Team) to discuss the youth centres they had previously designed. This interaction provided important insights into creating truly inclusive spaces, fostering a deeper understanding of accessibility principles. 

Deliverables: 
A board game for playful learning.
An accessibility map to navigate the city centre and its hazards.
Two accessible and inclusive Youth Centres, designed with the students.