The Division of Intellectual Disability hosted a lunchtime lecture on the 3 December 2024, the United Nations International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The lecture, entitled “Being part of history, being part of activism: Exploring the lives and experiences of Black people with learning disabilities” was presented by researcher and historian activist, Paul Christian (above left), with co-researcher, Susan Ledger (above middle), Visiting Research Fellow and member with Paul, of the Social History of Learning Disability Research Group at the Open University, UK.

The theme of the 2024 International Day was “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”, recognising the central role that persons with disabilities can play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. Paul’s research on  Black Lives Matter exemplifies this theme. His lecture focused on his work with co-researcher, Susan Ledger, provided an intersectional lens on the experience of race and disability by bringing to life the missing stories of Black British people with lived experience of learning disability in the context of their history of institutional care, and activism post institutional care, the need for meaningful inclusion of black people with learning disabilities in documenting disabled people’s history in Britain, and the importance of ensuring that this history is documented in formats accessible to people with learning disability. 

Co-presenter, Liz Tilley (right), Professor of Learning Disability Studies in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University noted how Paul’s work contributes to the Open University’s commitment to bringing greater diversity and inclusion to its research and practice.

A publication on Paul and Susan’s work can be accessed at: Christian, P., & Ledger, S. (2022). Being part of history, being part of activism: Exploring the lives and experiences of Black people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 50, 239–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12459  and at https://www.georgepadmoreinstitute.org/news-and-events/launch-of-george-padmore-collection-easy-read-series

The lecture can be viewed on our Social Responsive Mental Health YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@sociallyresponsivementalhe2342