Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Accessibility
Disability Action Northern Ireland
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Donate now
Menu
  • Who we are
    • About us
    • Our history
    • Management
    • Work for us
  • How we can help
    • COVID-19 / Coronavirus
    • Advice
    • Advocacy
    • Driving
    • Education & Training
    • Transport
    • Work
    • ONSIDE
    • DRILL
  • How we influence
    • Membership
    • Get involved
    • Policy
    • Influencing Government
    • Human Rights
    • Research
  • Support us
    • Donate
    • Fundraise
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • Corporate support
    • Volunteer
    • Membership
  • News and events
    • Latest news
    • Weekly Ezine
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Press releases
    • Media enquiries
    • Disability Exhibition
    • History of Disability
  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19 / Coronavirus Updates
  • Health & Wellbeing Resources from Job Match
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Accessibility
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • visible
  1. News and events
  2. History of Disability

Visible? A History of the Disability in NI

The Visible? Project started as a wish to record the oral history of disabled people who have been involved in the fight for disability and human rights in Northern Ireland.  There are some great resources out there that look at the broader history of the disability rights movement, but none that are specific to Northern Ireland. Given our unique context here we wanted to explore what impact it had on the development of a rights based approach to disability.

The aim was to record the voices of those who have been involved so that we could hold onto them now but also so that in the future, we realise the considerable energy and time that has been given by these people so that we enjoy some of the rights we now have.  We wanted to ask people in their own words to talk about how things have changed (if at all), how did they change and did all those changes make a real difference.


Harry Reid who curated the project talks in the video below of why the Visible? Project is important

The voices are from across different areas of Northern Ireland, some people younger than others and some people more involved than others.  It doesn't include everyone we had on a list or people what were suggested to interview.  We had a small budget to develop this resource and we know that there are many people 'missing'. We want to add to it over time and welcome contributions to the site.

The timelines that accompany the project are only a small reflection of key developments in the disability rights movement in Northern Ireland.  It helps to give context to the video pieces and to understand how it fits within the political context in Northern Ireland. 

Visible?
The title of the project - Visible? - came about as the project developed.  The increased visability of disabled people in all aspects of society is seen as one of the key drivers in bringing about change.  The question mark was added as the question is still there - just how visible are we in our society and are we at risk of becoming invisible once again as we experience a retrogression of our rights?

The hope is that people will use the stories and timelines to understand how change came about and learn from the stories of others.  It's also an appeal to younger disabled people to become activists and be the next generation to bring about change for disabled people here.  It's particularly important now as we see the decimation of hard fought for rights - whether it is social security, social care, education or work - the rights that the people in these video's fought for are being diminished every day.  

In the words of Terry Pratchett:

“If you do not know where you come from, then you don't know where you are, and if you don't know where you are, then you don't know where you're going. And if you don't know where you're going, you're probably going wrong.”

Thank you to Harry Reid who led on the project and did all the research and many of the interviews.  Sigrid Rausing Trust for funding the project.  Most importantly thank you to all the people that contributed to the video's and took part in the project. 


Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

This section has a selection of videos from disability rights activists in Northern Ireland talking about their experiences. This page includes John Carberry, Monica Wilson, Tony O'Reilly and Philomena McCrory. Read more

Published: 16th October, 2017

Updated: 18th April, 2018

Author: Michelle McCoy

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

This section has a selection of videos from disability rights activists in Northern Ireland talking about their experiences. This page includes Joe Kenny, Dermot Devlin and Gerry Maguire. Read more

Published: 12th October, 2017

Updated: 18th April, 2018

Author: Michelle McCoy

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

Voices of the Disability Rights Movement

This section has a selection of videos from disability rights activists in Northern Ireland talking about their experiences. This page includes Thomas Quigley and Brian McKervey. Read more

Published: 12th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Michelle McCoy

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
1921 - 1945

1921 - 1945

This shows a timeline of some of the key points of history between 1921 and 1945. Read more

Published: 12th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Michelle McCoy

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
1946 - 1960

1946 - 1960

This shows a timeline of some of the key points of history between 1946 and 1960. Read more

Published: 11th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Karen Hall

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
1961 - 1989

1961 - 1989

This shows a timeline of some of the key points of history between 1961 to 1989. Read more

Published: 10th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Karen Hall

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
1990's

1990's

This shows a timeline of some of the key points of history in the 1990's Read more

Published: 9th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Karen Hall

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
2000 - 2010

2000 - 2010

This shows a timeline of some of the key points of history between 2000 and 2010 Read more

Published: 5th October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Karen Hall

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
Tell Your Story

Tell Your Story

Would you like to add to the story? How to add to resources. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2017

Updated: 19th April, 2018

Author: Michelle McCoy

Related topics:
  • Visible? A History of the Disability in NI
Back to top

Showing 10 of 9

Latest

  • Feeling vulnerable or unsupported in the workplace?

    Feeling vulnerable or unsupported in the workplace?

    If so, our Workable NI team can assist you.

  • Need transport for health reasons including getting your COVID-19 vaccine?

    Need transport for health reasons including getting your COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Making It Work

    Making It Work

    Employment Support Services for disabled people.

  • North West Virtual Job Fair

    North West Virtual Job Fair

    Happening Thursday 4th March.

Most read

  • Contact Us

    Office contact details

  • Disability Action Transport Scheme

    Disability Action Transport Scheme

    Do you have difficulty using public transport? Disability Action Transport Scheme (DATS) is a fully accessible mode of transport that will allow you to travel within your local town.

  • About us

    Replace this with your content

  • The Management Team

    Our Management Team have a wealth of experience and ensure that the charity's mission, vision and strategic objectives are met.

  • Help with Training

    Help with Training

    Are you between 16 and 22 and are looking for support in education and training to achieve your goals? Our team can help!

  • Driving Assessment

    More detail on a driving assessment and what is involved.

  • Driving Lessons

    Driving Lessons

    Learning or re-learning to drive can be a daunting experience but don’t worry, here at Disability Action we have a team of dedicated staff that will support you along every step of the way.

  • Job Match - Help to find work and suitable candidates

    Job Match - Help to find work and suitable candidates

    Delivering recruitment support to help disabled people find paid work and supporting and guiding employers to find skilled candidates.

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

    Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  • Assessments

    Assessments

    We undertake driving assessments on behalf of Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA), Motability and for private clients.

Newsletter sign up






I would like to hear about:
Email Format
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us

Disability Action, Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100004
A company limited by Guarantee Registered in Northern Ireland NIO19258