Projects

The following are examples of projects and initiatives that have taken place with the support of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds. This list is not exhaustive, but offers an overview of research activity associated with CDS members, collaborators, doctoral researchers, and wider project partners:

Autistic Children Matter: Addressing Road Crossing Challenges from Multiple Perspectives

This project aims to improve the pedestrian safety of autistic children by examining the road‐crossing challenges they experience. It brings together autistic children, caregivers, independent travel trainers, engineers, and local stakeholders to inform improvements in infrastructure design, education, training, and policy.
Further information: Autistic Children Matter

Creative Inclusion: Co‐producing creative activities to explain research concepts

This project works with Purple Patch Arts and the Purple Research Group to make research concepts more accessible for people with learning disabilities. The project has co‐created arts‐based activities that explain research ideas such as consent, anonymity, withdrawal, and participation in accessible and imaginative ways.
Further information: Creative Inclusion

The Purple Patch: A Research Comic

The Purple Patch is a research comic developed by the Purple Research Group and Melissa Kirby, illustrated by Molly Pukes. It shares the experiences of seven adults with learning disabilities who co‐designed participatory research exploring arts‐based learning, offering an accessible alternative to traditional research outputs.
Further information: The Purple Patch: A Research Comic

EQUITY‐MS

EQUITY‐MS examines whether people with multiple sclerosis receive equitable access to diagnosis and disease‐modifying treatment, regardless of where they live or their ethnic background. The project is led by Professor Helen Ford, with analysis conducted by Bradford Institute for Health Research and the University of Leeds as study sponsor.
Further information: EQUITY‐MS

iDEM: Innovative and Inclusive Democratic Spaces for Deliberation and Participation

iDEM is a Horizon Europe project developing AI tools to make information more accessible within democratic processes. The project supports people with disabilities, older people, and migrants by addressing language barriers that can limit participation in deliberation and public decision‐making.
Further information: iDEM

Disability Inclusion in Research Collaboration

Disability Inclusion in Research Collaboration is a global, interdisciplinary group committed to advancing disability inclusion in health research. Its work focuses on monitoring disability inclusion, improving inclusion across the research cycle, and strengthening representation of disabled people within research and advisory workforces.
Further information: Disability Inclusion in Research Collaboration

Learning disability and Autism Research ACCESS

Learning disability and Autism Research ACCESS is a national group hosted by the University of Leeds. It works to improve the inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autistic people in health and social care research, including as participants, researchers, and co‐producers of research.
Further information: Learning disability and Autism Research ACCESS

Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems: Innovating Creative Methods for Systems Change with Learning Disabled Artists and Their Facilitators

This UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship develops inclusive arts as a method for systemic action research. Working with learning disabled and/or autistic artists and facilitators, the project explores how inclusive arts can address complex social, health, and economic inequalities.
Further information: Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems

WHO Disability Health Equity Network

The Centre for Disability Studies, University of Leeds is listed as a member organisation of the WHO Disability Health Equity Network. The network brings together stakeholders to support coordinated advocacy, knowledge sharing, and action towards health equity for persons with disabilities.
Further information: WHO Disability Health Equity Network

Inclusive Research Podcast

Inclusive Research is a podcast by Dr Amy Russell that uses creative methods to explore how research can become more inclusive. It considers how research is described, designed, and conducted, particularly when groups of people are routinely left out of research.
Further information: Inclusive Research Podcast

JU:MP: Join Us, Move. Play.

JU:MP is a whole‐system initiative focused on increasing physical activity among children and families in Bradford. It aims to test and share learning about what helps children aged 5 to 12, and their families, to be active.
Further information: JU:MP

International Conference on Live Subtitling and Speech‐To‐Text Interpreting

This conference brought together work on live subtitling, speech‐to‐text interpreting, media accessibility, Deaf Studies, translation, interpreting, cognitive science, engineering, and social sciences. It focused especially on the changing role of human and AI‐based systems in live access practices.
Further information: Live Subtitling and Speech‐To‐Text Interpreting

A Cultural History of Disability in Byzantium, c. 1000‐1200

This project examines disability in Byzantine society, focusing on how disabled people were understood, represented, and positioned within cultural, religious, and social life. It seeks to reframe disability not simply as loss or limitation, but as a historically situated form of social and cultural meaning.
Further information: A Cultural History of Disability in Byzantium, c. 1000‐1200

Capacity, Consent and Autonomy

This project explores how health research can be made more inclusive for people with learning disabilities. It focuses on questions of capacity, consent, autonomy, and the practical conditions required for ethical participation.
Further information: Capacity, Consent and Autonomy

Changing the pace of change: Disability inclusion in development responses to sexual violence for women with disabilities through arts and humanities

This project brings together researchers, communities, and external partners to strengthen disability inclusion in development responses to sexual violence. It uses arts and humanities approaches to rethink how knowledge, participation, and intervention can be developed with disabled women.
Further information: Changing the pace of change

No research about us without us

This project explores how people with learning disabilities can be more meaningfully included in research. It examines barriers to participation and develops practical ways to support inclusive, accessible, and co‐produced research practice.
Further information: No research about us without us

MS and Domestic Violence and Abuse Research Initiative

This initiative examines the relationship between multiple sclerosis, domestic violence and abuse, and support provision. It supports knowledge exchange, practice development, and improved responses for people affected by MS and domestic abuse.
Further information: MS and Domestic Violence and Abuse Research Initiative

Survivors Project: Support needs of disabled adult rape victims

This project explored the support needs of D/deaf and disabled adult victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence. It examined what disabled victim‐survivors want from support services and how services and criminal justice processes can become more accessible and inclusive.
Further information: Survivors Project

Disabled women’s experiences of reporting sexual violence to the police

This project examined disabled women’s experiences of reporting sexual violence to the police. It used secondary analysis to consider barriers, institutional responses, and recommendations for improving practice.
Further information: Disabled women’s experiences of reporting sexual violence to the police

Imagining Technologies for Disability Futures

This interdisciplinary project explored disability, technology, design, embodiment, and possible futures. It examined how assistive and enabling technologies are imagined, produced, used, and contested across health, engineering, cultural, and social contexts.
Further information: Imagining Technologies for Disability Futures

University of Leeds East Asia Disability Rights Forum

The University of Leeds East Asia Disability Rights Forum supports participatory disability research focused on East Asia. It brings together researchers, disabled people, activists, and organisations to strengthen disability rights scholarship and collaboration.
Further information: University of Leeds East Asia Disability Rights Forum

Inclusive Public Space

This project examines how streets and public spaces can include or exclude disabled people. It focuses especially on pedestrian environments, shared space, law, policy, and the conditions required for genuinely inclusive public space.
Further information: Inclusive Public Space

Smart, Userfriendly, Interactive, Tactual, Cognition‐Enhancer that Yields Extended Sensosphere

This European project developed haptic and wearable technologies to improve communication and interaction for people with deafblindness. It brought together disability research, engineering, design, textiles, sensors, and human‐computer interaction.
Further information: SUITCEYES

European Disability Expertise

European Disability Expertise provided independent scientific evidence, analysis, and policy advice to support European disability policy. It continued Leeds’ long‐standing involvement in comparative disability policy, law, and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Further information: European Disability Expertise

Social Reintegration for Teenagers and Young Adults Living with and Beyond Cancer

This project examined the social experiences of teenagers and young adults living with and beyond cancer. It focused on education, work, relationships, wellbeing, and the forms of support needed for social reintegration after diagnosis and treatment.
Further information: Social Integration After a Cancer Diagnosis in Adolescents and Young Adults

Disability Activism in Europe: Young Disabled Activists’ Views and Experiences

This project explores the experiences, views, and political practices of young disabled activists across Europe. It considers how young disabled people understand activism, rights, identity, solidarity, and social change.
Further information: Disability Activism in Europe

Disability and the Home

This project explores the meaning of home from the perspective of disabled people. It examines home as a material, emotional, legal, and cultural space, including questions of access, independence, identity, and belonging.
Further information: Disability and the Home

Academic Network of European Disability Experts

ANED provided independent evidence and policy analysis to support European disability policy. It produced comparative information on disability rights, law, policy, data, and implementation across European countries.
Further information: Academic Network of European Disability Experts

The Spaces of Mental Capacity Law

This project examined how mental capacity law operates across different spaces, settings, and relationships. It considered how law, care, autonomy, and decision‐making are shaped by the environments in which capacity is assessed and supported.

Realizing the political rights of persons with disabilities

This project examined the political rights of disabled people and the role of civil society organisations in political participation. It focused on how disabled people’s political rights can be recognised, supported, and realised in practice.
Further information: Realizing the political rights of persons with disabilities

Realist Evaluation of Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programs for Men with Intellectual Disability

This project evaluated adapted sex offender treatment programmes for men with intellectual disabilities. It asked what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how treatment programmes can be better understood and improved.
Further information: Realist Evaluation of Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programs

Sexual Citizenship and Disability: Implications for Theory, Practice and Policy

This project examined the relationship between disability, sexuality, citizenship, and social policy. It considered how disabled people’s sexual lives, rights, relationships, and identities are shaped by social, legal, and institutional contexts.

Play for Children with Disabilities

This European network focused on play for children with disabilities. It supported research, knowledge exchange, and practice concerned with inclusive play, children’s participation, and the social value of play.

Securing Access to Justice for Children with Intellectual and/or Psychosocial Disabilities

This project examined access to justice for children with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities across Europe. It identified barriers and developed resources to improve justice systems, professional practice, and children’s rights.
Further information: Securing Access to Justice for Children with Intellectual and/or Psychosocial Disabilities

Disability Rights: Expanding Accessible Markets

This project examined how European disability law and policy could support more accessible markets. It considered disability rights in relation to goods, services, information, communication technologies, and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Further information: Disability Rights: Expanding Accessible Markets

Designing for Inclusive Play

This project examined how play spaces and play opportunities can be designed to include disabled and non‐disabled children. It focused on accessibility, playfulness, participation, and the social value of inclusive play

Access to Specialised Victim Support Service for Women with Disabilities who have Experienced Violence

This project examined disabled women’s access to specialist victim support services after experiences of violence. It considered barriers to support and the changes needed to make services more accessible, safe, and inclusive.
Further information: Violence Against Disabled Women

Evaluating EU progress in implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the EU Disability Strategy

This project evaluated European Union progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the EU Disability Strategy. It focused on policy development, implementation, and disability rights monitoring.
Further information: Evaluating EU progress

Indicators of political participation in Europe

This project developed indicators for understanding the political participation of disabled people across Europe. It considered voting, representation, accessibility, participation barriers, and the conditions required for equal political citizenship.
Further information: Political participation of persons with disabilities

Linking life stories with social and policy change in Britain

This project connected disabled people’s life stories with wider social and policy change in Britain. It explored how personal narratives can illuminate shifting structures of disability, welfare, citizenship, and social participation.
Further information: Including a new generation?

The role of sign language for deaf children with cochlear implants

This project examined the role and benefits of sign language for deaf children with cochlear implants. It focused on good practice in sign bilingual settings and the implications for children, families, and professionals.
Further information: The role of sign language for deaf children with cochlear implants

Deaf children’s early literacy at home

This project investigated how families with young deaf children support early literacy at home. It examined home language practices, British Sign Language, spoken English, and advice from visiting teachers of deaf children.
Further information: Deaf children’s early literacy at home

Disability equality in English primary schools

This project explored how disability equality is understood and taught in English primary schools. It considered children’s perceptions of disability, school practice, and the possibilities for anti‐ableist education.
Further information: Disability equality in English primary schools

Disability Concepts in the UK and Latin America

This project explored disability concepts across the UK and Latin America. It considered how disability is understood, translated, contested, and mobilised across different social, political, and cultural contexts.
Further information: Disability Concepts in the UK and Latin America

European Research Agendas for Disability Equality

This project supported the development of European research agendas concerned with disability equality. It focused on collaboration, policy relevance, and the relationship between disability research and social change.
Further information: European Research Agendas for Disability Equality

Rapid Evidence Assessments for the Office of Disability Issues

This project produced rapid evidence assessments for the Office of Disability Issues. It synthesised research evidence to support policy development and improve understanding of disability, equality, and participation.
Further information: Rapid Evidence Assessments for the Office of Disability Issues

Talking about sex and relationships: the views of young people

This project explored young people’s views on sex and relationships. It considered how disabled young people understand relationships, sexuality, support, education, and participation in personal and social life.
Further information: Talking about sex and relationships

Disabled People and Disaster Recovery

This project examined disabled people’s experiences of disaster recovery. It considered how disaster responses can include or exclude disabled people and what is needed to support more equitable recovery processes.
Further information: Disabled People and Disaster Recovery

Gender, Disability and Access to Education in Tanzania

This doctoral project examined gender, disability, and education in Tanzania. It explored the barriers disabled people face in accessing education and the social conditions shaping inclusion and exclusion.
Further information: Gender, Disability and Access to Education in Tanzania

Disabled People and Communication Systems in the Twenty‐First Century

This doctoral project examined disabled people’s relationships with communication systems. It considered how communication technologies, social arrangements, and institutional practices shape access, participation, and exclusion.
Further information: Disabled People and Communication Systems in the Twenty‐First Century

In the shadow of genetics: an analysis of eugenic influences on twentieth‐century social policy for disabled people in European and North American societies

This doctoral project examined eugenic influences on twentieth‐century social policy affecting disabled people. It considered how genetics, social policy, and disability were connected across European and North American contexts.
Further information: In the Shadow of Genetics

The Social Lives of Young Adults in a therapeutic community

This doctoral project explored the social lives of young adults in a therapeutic community. It examined relationships, social participation, identity, and the institutional conditions shaping everyday life.
Further information: The Social Lives of Young Adults in a therapeutic community

Levels of Integration for People with Spinal Cord Injury in Bangladesh

This doctoral project examined the integration of people with spinal cord injury in Bangladesh. It evaluated the impact of rehabilitation and support services on disabled people’s participation and social inclusion.
Further information: Levels of Integration for People with Spinal Cord Injury in Bangladesh

Women, Learning Difficulty and Identity: a study through personal narrative

This doctoral project examined the identities and life stories of women labelled as having learning difficulties. It used personal narrative to explore gender, disability, identity, and social experience.
Further information: Women, Learning Difficulty and Identity

Disability and Housing: home, housing options and access to owner‐occupation

This doctoral project examined disabled people’s experiences of housing, home, housing options, and owner‐occupation. It considered how housing systems shape independence, access, security, and social participation

The economic needs and priorities of disabled people in Jordan

This doctoral project examined disabled people’s economic needs and priorities in Jordan. It considered disability, poverty, social policy, and the economic conditions affecting disabled people’s lives.
Further information: The economic needs and priorities of disabled people in Jordan

Disability as embodied Cultural Memory? Identity, positions and imagery of amputees in Sierra Leone

This doctoral project examined disability, identity, memory, and imagery among amputees in Sierra Leone. It considered how embodied experience connects with cultural memory, social positioning, and post‐conflict life

A qualitative study of the experiences of disabled international students in four English universities

This doctoral project examined the experiences of disabled international students in English universities. It considered access, support, identity, institutional practice, and the specific barriers encountered by disabled students studying internationally.

A qualitative study of the self‐advocacy movement for people with the label ‘intellectual disability’ in Malta

This doctoral project examined the self‐advocacy movement for people labelled as having intellectual disabilities in Malta. It considered activism, voice, participation, and the development of collective identity.

Social citizenship and collective action: the case of the Portuguese disabled people’s movement

This doctoral project examined social citizenship and collective action within the Portuguese disabled people’s movement. It explored disability politics, activism, rights, and the conditions for collective mobilisation

Government, Education, Dyslexia: Towards A Genealogy of Dyslexia

This doctoral project examined dyslexia through a genealogical analysis of government, education, and policy. It considered how dyslexia has been constructed, governed, and institutionalised within educational contexts.
Further information: From aphasia to dyslexia

Building Bridges: disability and old age

This project examined the relationship between disability and old age. It considered shared and distinct experiences of ageing, impairment, support, exclusion, and social policy.
Further information: Building Bridges: disability and old age

What Works? Re‐focussing special schools in Leeds

This project examined the role and future of special schools in Leeds. It considered how special schools might be refocused in relation to inclusion, support, education, and disabled children’s rights.
Further information: What Works? Re‐focussing special schools in Leeds

Do looked after children with communication impairments need an advocacy service in Leeds?

This project explored whether looked after children with communication impairments in Leeds needed dedicated advocacy support. It considered communication, children’s rights, care systems, and access to representation.
Further information: Do looked after children with communication impairments need an advocacy service in Leeds?

Access to healthcare for Black and Minority Ethnic Disabled People

This project examined access to healthcare for Black and Minority Ethnic disabled people. It considered the intersection of disability, ethnicity, health services, inequality, and institutional access.
Further information: Access to healthcare for Black and Minority Ethnic Disabled People

Exploring self‐advocacy and activism in the lives of people with the label of learning difficulties

This project examined self‐advocacy and activism among people labelled as having learning difficulties. It explored voice, identity, collective action, and the politics of speaking and organising.
Further information: Exploring self‐advocacy and activism

User‐defined Outcomes of Community Care for Disabled Asian People

This project examined community care from the perspective of disabled Asian people. It focused on user‐defined outcomes, culturally appropriate support, and the lived experience of care services.
Further information: User‐defined Outcomes of Community Care for Disabled Asian People

Whatever Next? Young Disabled People Leaving Care

This project examined the experiences of young disabled people leaving care. It considered transitions, support needs, advocacy, and the services required to support young disabled people moving into adulthood.
Further information: Whatever Next? Young Disabled People Leaving Care

Life as a Disabled Child

This project explored disabled children’s lives from their own perspectives. It considered childhood, rights, participation, family life, education, and the social conditions shaping disabled children’s everyday experiences.
Further information: Life as a Disabled Child

Creating Independent Futures: An Evaluation of Services Led By Disabled People

This project evaluated services led by disabled people. It examined independent living, user‐led organisations, service design, and the role of disabled people in shaping support.
Further information: Creating Independent Futures

From Womb to Tomb: Disability, social policy and the life course

This project examined disability and social policy across the life course. It considered how disabled people’s lives are shaped by policy from childhood through adulthood and older age.
Further information: From Womb to Tomb

A Health Needs Assessment of Black and Minority Ethnic Children’s Needs

This project assessed the health needs of Black and Minority Ethnic disabled children. It considered service access, inequality, family experience, and the conditions required for more appropriate support.
Further information: A Health Needs Assessment of Black and Minority Ethnic Children’s Needs

Disabled People and Direct Payments: a UK comparative study

This project examined disabled people’s experiences of direct payments across the UK. It considered independent living, choice and control, support arrangements, and the implications of different policy contexts.
Further information: Disabled People and Direct Payments

The Scope of Reasonable Adjustment as a Discriminatory Dilemma

This project compared British and Swedish disability discrimination legislation. It examined reasonable adjustment as a legal and policy concept, focusing on equality, discrimination, and access.
Further information: The Scope of Reasonable Adjustment as a Discriminatory Dilemma

Disability and Public Transport: a review of available data

This project reviewed available data on disability and public transport. It considered transport access, evidence gaps, and the information needed to improve mobility and participation.
Further information: Disability and Public Transport

Good Practice for Providing Reasonable Access to the Physical Built Environment for Disabled People

This project examined good practice in providing reasonable access to the built environment. It focused on physical access, inclusive design, legal duties, and practical approaches to accessibility.
Further information: Good Practice for Providing Reasonable Access to the Physical Built Environment