++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Disability Research Network e-Newsletter: April 2008 - 13th Edition ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Editor’s Comments: Welcome to the 13th edition of the Disability Research Network e-newsletter (in association with the Research Institute of Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University and Breakthrough UK Ltd).  A big thank you to all those who contributed to this edition. Please, remember to submit contributions for the next edition by latest 28th April, 2008. When submitting, please remember to use simple text version for easy accessibility. Once again, thank you for the unwavering support.   Best Wishes Tsitsi Chataika   Coordinator’s Comments:  Please find below the 13th e-newsletter from this newly established but expandable network. Our aims are to provide informal, off the press and informative monthly details of disability research activities, which might be of interest to audiences including disability activists, organisations of disabled people, students, researchers, policy makers, families, practitioners and local authorities. The idea for this newsletter emerged from discussions between the Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University (http://www.rihsc.mmu.ac.uk/) and Breakthrough UK Ltd - a social enterprise that draws upon social model ideas to promote employment advocacy, advice, support and training to disabled people (http://www.breakthrough-uk.com/). They encouraged us to share regular information from disability research, which might inform their work. This sharing and networking links into the aims of the Disability Studies Association and, we hope, will have broader appeal (http://www.disabilitystudies.net/). This network relies, obviously, on regular monthly input. What we would like from you, if you are interested:   * The details of your institution and one contact person and their email address * Monthly commitment to provide us with BRIEF information (inc. related web links) about disability research activities you and your colleagues are involved through emails each month me (you will be reminded by email). This could be no more than a few lines – and no attachments – as we want to keep it workable, informal and relatively easy to read. * To provide details on such things as news on forthcoming publications; conferences/seminars you are attending or hosting; funding opportunities of interest to disability researchers; news from local and national government; international disability issues; stories from research; ideas for research that you would like to explore with interested others; disability studies teaching materials and resources; links to new policy and user consultation, etc … * To provide in your email information categorised in terms of your institution e.g. ‘News from the Research Institute of Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University’; ‘Activities of the disability studies team at University of Northumbria’. * To make the email simple text without loads of formatting for ease of putting together * To posit other ideas for developing the e-newsletter - perhaps a section on 'possible future research / funding priorities' which readers might be able to link into for funding bids.  Very best wishes   Dan Goodley d.goodley@mmu.ac.uk +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contents   1. News Manchester Metropolitan University, Research & Social Change - Does Every Child Matter, Post-Blair? The interconnections of disabled childhoods Project 2. News from the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York - Report and Conference 3. Official Launch of the Centre for Disability Research (CeDR) at Lancaster University 4. The Holocaust Centre Event in North Nottinghamshire in partnership with the Nottinghamshire Disabled People's Movement +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   1. News From Manchester Metropolitan University, Research &Social Change (a) Does Every Child Matter, Post-Blair? The interconnections of disabled childhoods - http://www.rihsc.mmu.ac.uk/postblairproject/ The above project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council  (RES-062-23-1138) Professor Dan Goodley,  Dr Katherine Runswick Cole (Manchester Metropolitan University)  and Dr Janice McLaughlin (Newcastle University) How have disabled children, between the ages of 4 and 16 years old and their families, faired under the Blair government?  This project will answer this, and other questions, by exploring the extent to which, over the last 10 years, policies, legislation and practices have tackled matters of exclusion and regeneration for disabled children. We will engage with parents, children and professionals to help us to explore the impact of the Every Child Matters agenda; the adequacy of existing theories about disabled children, parents and professionals; how the concepts of 'good parent', 'enabling professional' and 'disabled children' are promoted; the ways in which forms of 'enabling healthcare', 'inclusive education' and 'accessible leisure' can work together. Our study employs a critical review of policy, interviews with 10 disabled children and 10 parents, focus groups with a mix of professionals and 18 months observation of families as they participate in the arenas of health, education and leisure. Our work is informed by critical disability studies, critical and community psychologies and sociologies of childhood and families. It will be of interest to parent organisations, practitioners, policy makers and organisations of disabled people. This project builds, in part, on a previous ESRC funded project (RES-000-23-0129). This project starts in July 2008. If you require further details or information then contact the Grant holder and project director: Dan Goodley, Professor of Psychology and Disability Studies Manchester Metropolitan University RIHSC Psychology and Social Change Gaskell Campus Manchester, M13 0JA Tel: (+44) 0161 247 2526 Fax: (+44) 0161 247 6842 E-mail: d.goodley@mmu.ac.uk; Website: http://www.rihsc.ac.uk/postblairproject/ 2. News from the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York Contact Person: Rachel Pitman Email:  rp17@york.ac.uk   We have published a new report into how the Integrated Children's System is experienced by children with disabilities and their families as well as their practitioners. Evaluation of the Pilot Project Programme of the Integrated Children's System: The disability study is available from our website at http://php.york.ac.uk/inst/spru/pubs/467/   Children’s Rights and Participation: What Preconditions? What Rights? What Outcomes? What Next? Conference on 1st July 2008, University of York. See this webpage for further details: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/spru/news/rights.html   (3) News from Lancaster University  The Management Committee of the newly established Centre for Disability Research (CeDR) at Lancaster University wish to invite colleagues and supports to the official launch of CeDR  on Thursday 15th May 2008 atThe Hub, Lancaster University Management School. Neil Crowther, Disability Programme Director at the Equality and Human Rights Commission will give the keynote address ‘What Future for Disability Equality?’ The launch begins at 5.45, with the address at 6pm followed by a drinks reception. If you wish to attend please RSVP with details of any access needs to cedr@lancaster.ac.uk by 6th May. CeDR is a cross-faculty centre which promotes and conducts interdisciplinary research and research-led teaching on disability. CeDR is hosting the fourth international disability studies conference at Lancaster 2-4th September 2008. More information is available at http://www.lancs.ac.uk/cedr/event.   4. News from the Holocaust Centre, North Nottinghamshire The Holocaust Centre, in north Nottinghamshire, is running an event in partnership with the Nottinghamshire Disabled People's Movement on Sunday 11th May 2008 to acknowledge and remember the histories of the Deaf and disabled people who were sterilised and killed during the Holocaust. The event will see the dedication of the first rose and plaque in the Centre's memorial gardens to the Deaf and disabled people affected by the Holocaust. The Pioneers Young Disabled People's Forum will also be unveiling their plans to create the UK's first permanent memorial to the Deaf and disabled people killed in the Holocaust at the Centre.   The day will include speakers and debate. Speakers will include Liz Crow, director and producer of 'Roaring Girl' films, who is currently making a film about the T4 programme which lead to the deaths of Deaf and disabled people in killing centres across Germany and Austria. 85 year old Hans Cohn, MBE, will be speaking about his personal experiences of being one of the very few blind German Jewish children to have survived the Holocaust by escaping to the UK and Ricki Westbury, Director of Disability Access Services, will be exploring the impact of the Holocaust on Deaf culture.   The deadline for bookings is Friday 2nd May and booking is on a 'first come first served' basis as we have a limited number of places due to funding, although we are accepting multiple bookings from organisations.   If you are interested in booking a place on this free event, and to receive a booking form and further information, please contact:   Heather Hollins (Senior Access and Heritage Officer) Email:  hjr1@le.ac.uk     ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   NB: A copy of this Newsletter is available at: http://www.breakthrough-uk.com/DRN.shtml   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ END OF NEWSLETTER For any further contributions and information contact:   Tsitsi Chataika - Editor Email: t.chataika@yahoo.co.uk Tel/Fax: +44113 293 8749 or +4479 03859902 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++