INCLUDING MISSING VOICES

Hearing the Voices of Disabled People in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities

The research is designed to listen to the missing voices of Disabled people who live in Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) communities, and to explore whether that voice could be heard in key policy forums, including having a presence in Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).

The results of this research  may lead to changes in the ways that people from GRT communities could be actively involved in shaping the future in regard to getting the voices of Disabled GRT people heard. 

This research is exploratory, the aim being to discover quite what the culture and approaches are from the Disabled Persons’ Groups and the respective Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Communities towards disability and the extent to which there might be mutual benefit in working more closely together. We are keen that this piece of research does just not become another report gathering dust, but rather we are hoping to see changes taking place as a result of this research. 

This DRILL (Disabled Research into Living and Learning) funded project was won by open competition in February 2019 with a view to starting on March 1ST 2019).

The research is Disabled people-led and the steering group includes members from GRT communities. We are hoping to be able to meet with GRT community members across Wales to discuss their experiences of disability with a view to encouraging best practice. Any people interested in taking part in this research, please contact Dr. Peter Unwin at the University of Worcester by email p.unwin@worc.ac.uk or telephone: 01905 855126.