Conference 2002

The history of advocacy and self-advocacy

Held on 4th December 2002 at The Open University, Milton Keynes

(Please note: there are no audios available for this conference)

Morning session

Introduction:

Fires Burning: Advocacy, camping and children with learning disabilities in Ontario, Canada, 1950-1970

Jessica Chupik

In the late 1940s a group of Toronto parents formed the first organized advocacy group in Canada to push for education and other services for children with learning (developmental) disabilities.
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The history of advocacy and self-advocacy in Southend

Rose Mossop, Susan Douglas and Myra Bradley

Southend Mencap since 1999 have provided an advocacy service for people with learning disabilities. The service arose from a growing trend in people seeking advocacy from a befrienders scheme.
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History of Speaking Up For Action (SUFA) - how it all started

Tina Wilkinson

The first steering group met at Voluntary Action Sheffield. The members of this group included: David G, Michael C, Jasmine W, Shelagh G, Diana C, Brian W, Peter, Tony R, Eleanor S and Ruth M (the link person).
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Huddersfield People First: our experiences of self-advocacy

Dan Goodley

In this session members of Huddersfield People First will talk about their experiences as a group which has been running for 16 years. As experienced members of the self-advocacy movement, members have many strong opinions on the ways in which the movement has developed.
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Afternoon session

Two pioneers of self-advocacy: Ray Loomis and Tom Houlihan

Paul Williams

One of the first self-advocacy groups in America was based in Omaha, Nebraska. It was called Project II. Project I had been the setting up of the ENCOR (Eastern Nebraska Community Office of Retardation) service to bring people with learning difficulties from the Omaha area out of the State Institution which was 130 miles away.
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Good companions: our experiences of advocacy

Mabel Cooper and Gloria Ferris

There was nothing when we came out of hospital; no support, no help. There's more help now, as more and more people have come out of long-stay hospitals and some of them have started to speak up for themselves.
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One man's dream that continues to inspire others

Heather Cadbury

Setting for the story - John Langdon-Down wanted to improve institutional life; he also had a passion for the arts, in particular the theatre; a family concern for the wealthy - taken over by the NHS; Wolfgang Stange, dancer and choreographer wanted to share his love of dance with others.
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