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September 2013 - August 2014

Date

Political participation indicators

In a new research project, Ema Loja and Mark Priestley will be involved in developing new indicators of political participation for disabled people in Europe from statistical analysis of European survey data and from evidence collected by expert networks in the 28 EU Member States. The research is a collaboration between the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Commission’s Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED). The findings will be widely disseminated by the EU institutions to maximise the participation of disabled people in the 2014 European Parliamentary elections.

From Europe to the United Nations

Anna Lawson, Mark Priestley and Ema Loja have completed a major evaluation of initial progress on the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The report for the European Commission covers more than 100 policy actions and instruments implemented since 2010 and draws on additional evidence of natioanl context from key informant interviews and focus groups conducted the 28 EU Member States. In parallel research collaboration, the evidence base on EU policy implementation will contribute to preparation of the EU's initial Treaty report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

November 2013 UK Disability History Month events

Reflections on Doing Disability Research: An audience with Colin Barnes

Colin Barnes, Professor of Disability Studies and founder of the Centre for Disability Studies at Leeds is retiring this year. At this celebration of his work he will speak about his involvement with the Disabled People's Movement, the development of Disability Studies here at Leeds and his thoughts regarding its future. Please RSVP to M.Wilkinson@leeds.ac.uk

5-7pm, Western Lecture Theatre (with drinks reception from 4pm in Liberty Building atrium)

UK Disability History Month - Launch event

Wednesday 20th November 3-5pm, Beech Grove House Seminar Room, University of Leeds

Launch event for UK Disability History Month at the University of Leeds, featuring veteran disabled activist Anne Rae (founder member of the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation, former chair of the British Council of Disabled People, and present chair of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People) speaking about the history and significance of the UK disabled people's movement (title tbc).

Hosted by Leeds University Union's Disability Action Group and Leeds Centre for Disability Studies

Equality and Human Rights Commission Disability Rights Consultation Event

Wednesday 30th October 2013 2.00pm in rooms 1.13 and 1.14, School of Law, Liberty Building

  • Are disabled people included as full and equal participants in current UK society?
  • Is their dignity and autonomy cherished and supported?
  • Is there more that could be done (eg by Government) to improve the lives of disabled people?

If you have views on the above and are a disabled person, or have knowledge or experience of barriers facing disabled people, your views need to be heard. Please join the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds at:

Real Lives on the Wall

Monday 30 September 2013 to Friday 4 October 2013 8am to 8pm (Ends Friday 5pm) Parkinson Court South

This is an exhibition of painted murals conveying the reality of the lives of disabled people living in a diverse range of circumstances in the UK.  Disability Murals (www.disabilitymurals.org.uk) research using art as a tool for social change

Opening event 1st October 2013, with speakers Professor Colin Barnes joined by some of the mural creators

Global Mental Health: A Human Rights Movement?

Wednesday 8 May 2013 at 5.30pm, Room LG.06, School of Law

Oliver Lewis, Executive Director of the Mental Disability Advocacy Center, Budapest
In this lecture, Oliver will review the work of the global movement for mental health, lay out some of the recent achievements of the worldwide disability rights community, and analyse ways in which the movement is advancing or hindering a human rights agenda.

The lecture is a joint venture organised by the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS), University of Leeds and the Centre for European Law and Legal Studies (CELLS)