A History of Learning Disability: Exhibition Launch
Date and time
Join us in person or online for the launch of a new exhibition exploring the history of learning disability nursing.
About this event
Join us for the launch of our new exhibition on the history of learning disability nursing, in person and online.
In person only from 5 - 6pm at the Royal College of Nursing for refreshments and a chance to look round our new exhibition on the history of learning disability nursing.
Talks from 6pm (in person and online): Hear from Steve Walden and Owen Barden about what we can learn from the experiences of people with learning disabilities in the past, and Bob Gates on the more recent history of learning disability nursing. Gavin Harding will tell us about his life and achievements as the first person with a learning disability to get an MBE and his work at NHS England with Sarah Wright, and Sarah Leigh will explain why hospital passports are essential, speaking from personal experience seeking support for her son, who has a severe learning disability.
This event will have live BSL interpretation. If you have any other access needs please do get in touch with us: rcn.library@rcn.org.uk.
Speakers
- Jonathan Beebee (chair) is the RCN Professional lead for learning disability nursing. A registered learning disability nurse, he has a wide variety of experiences in working with adults and children with learning disabilities in health and social care settings.
- Owen Barden is Associate Professor in Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University. A core member of Hope's Centre for Culture and Disability Studies. Course Director for the Doctorate in Education (EdD).
- Steve Walden is a lecturer in learning disability at the University of South Wales, with research interests in the cultural representation of people with a learning disability.
- Bob Gates has a long career in learning disabilities spanning over half a century and currently works part time as a Professor of Learning Disabilities at the University of West London. In 2018 he was named as one of 70 of the most influential nurses in the history of the NHS.
- Gavin Harding MBE is a Senior Learning Disability and Autism advisor for NHS England and Improvement, working to engage and include people in decisions about the care they receive. He is a former local councillor, and in 2015 he was the first person in the United Kingdom with a learning disability to become a mayor.
- Sarah Wright is a learning disability nurse and Specialist Advisor of Quality Improvement within the NHS national Learning Disability and Autism Programme. Sarah works to improve the way hospital care is provided to people who have a learning disability and autistic people.
- Sarah Leigh is a neurodivergent filmmaker and advocate working in documentary and narrative film at www.inclusivityfilms.co.uk. She is a part of her local hospital's Patient & Carer Experience team and has been developing a Healthcare Passport for children with complex needs and disabilities.
