Leeds Conference

Tuesday 3rd September Erin and Karen travelled down to Leeds on the train to attend the Leeds Disability Studies Conference at the University of Leeds, where researchers, practitioners, policy makers and activists from around the world share and debate ideas, research and challenges in and for Disability Studies.

Erin was presenting the What About Me? Project which is about people with learning disabilities and their family carers, who do not get funded support for social care. The project wants to find out what life is like for them, and what needs to change?

Erin and Gavin, self-advocates from Sunderland People First and self-advocates from Sheffield Voices have been researchers on the project team, working alongside other team members from The University of Sheffield, The University of York, Manchester Metropolitan University and SIBS a charity for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

Report by Erin (Self Advocate)

It was my first time going to a conference and I felt nervous and shy, but I wanted to tell people about the project because I think it’s important that we hear the different points from the carers and the person with the disability, to see where they have support and don’t have support.

I thought it was good that people come from all over the world to the conference, it was positive because people took the time to come and listen.