23 Jul 2026
Online
10:30 - 12.30
How can we respectfully research disability history?
A workshop for museum professionals, researchers, historians, archivists, and anyone interested in disability history and fairness. Together, we will explore how to study the past in a way that is both respectful and inclusive of disabled people’s experiences.
Hosted by Kyle Lewis Jordan with Brighton and Hove Speak Out
What to expect
When researching history, we often find stories about disabled people in old documents, books, and archives. However, these sources frequently use language that is outdated, offensive, or harmful. This raises important questions:
- How can we study history without reinforcing past harms?
- How should we talk about disability in the past while acknowledging both historical context and present-day sensitivities?
- What does ethical and respectful storytelling look like?
In this workshop, we will discuss these challenges and ways to ensure that every story is told with care, respect, and fairness.
What will be covered?
- Engage with historical sources: We will look at examples of historical documents that describe disabled people, considering both their content and language.
- Learn from experience: Researchers with lived experience from Brighton and Hove Speak Out will share findings from their work on creating a Learning Disability Archive and Hub, discussing the challenges of encountering historical language and their recommendations for archives and researchers.
- Reflective discussion: Participants will take part in breakout discussion rooms, where they will explore historical words and phrases relating to disability found in museum databases and archives, reflecting on their impact. If you have encountered examples in your own work, feel free to share them.
- Develop best practices: Together, we will explore ways to tell history in a way that is honest but also respectful, thinking about alternative ways to present difficult material.
Why is this important?
History shapes how we understand the present. The way we tell disabled people’s stories influences how they are valued today. By reflecting on the language and narratives we use, we can honour the past without perpetuating harm.
How to book
Free online event for anyone working in the museum and heritage sector. You don’t have to be an AIM member to attend. The event will take place on Zoom.
10.30am – 12.30pm Thursday 23 July.
Click here to book your place (opens in a new tab)Workshop hosts
This workshop will be facilitated by Kyle Lewis Jordan who is a freelance archaeologist and curator who specialises in the study of disability in antiquity. He has curated exhibitions on disability history and has worked on the representation and interpretation of disability in museum collections. He is also a Steering Group member for the Safe Access Project.
Kyle will be joined by the following co-facilitators and contributors:
- Sóla – a historian specialising in disability history in Iceland, who has worked extensively with historical documents about disabled people and wants to facilitate a discussion on ethical storytelling.
- Simon – Historian and writer on the history of learning disability.
- Brighton and Hove Speak Out researchers:
- Nathaniel Lawford – Speak Out volunteer and Trustee.
- Eliph Hadert – Speak Out member and project worker.
Safe Access
This webinar is part of AIM’s Safe Access programme, fostering positive wellbeing for all those working in, visiting, and engaging with museums and heritage. Look out for more online sessions coming in Summer 2026 – sign up to our weekly eNews at the link below to be the first to hear about our latest events and training.
