Truro museum handed over for a weekend of Disability Joy

For two days this November, a Truro museum will be given over to research that disabled people helped shape from the very start. There will be art, play and a disco. And on the second day, a long conversation about how research should be done.

The Disability Joy takeover runs on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, in partnership with the We Are The People project.

Who are We Are The People?

We Are The People is a team of disabled academics and non-disabled allies based at Bath Spa University, funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Over five years the team has been involved in disability research and disability activism. That research has been co-produced with disabled people, community groups and Disabled People’s Organisations across the South West.

The project set out to change how research has traditionally been carried out, with a strong focus on it being completed by disabled people. Its approach was influenced by the historic slogan “Nothing about us, without us”.

Saturday: art, play and a celebration disco

On Saturday 14 November, from 10am to 7pm, the team will be showcasing its research findings and outputs at the museum in Truro with a day of art, play and discussion.

The day finishes with a celebration disco from Redruth Record Club.

The full programme for Saturday is on the Disability Joy event page.

Sunday: a symposium on working with disabled people in research

On Sunday 15 November, from 10.30am to 3pm, a symposium will explore how to work collaboratively and meaningfully with disabled people in research.

Community groups and organisations will come together to share and reflect on the We Are The People findings. There will also be discussion of Disability Joy itself, and how it has been woven through each of the research projects.

Tickets for the symposium are free, with refreshments and lunch provided. Booking and more information are on the Disability Joy Symposium page.

Access and travel

Access and travel information for the venue is on the museum’s Visit page.

The organisers have said they are happy to hear from anyone with reasonable adjustments, or anyone who would like to talk through any part of the event beforehand.