Dear Colleague, 

Our 2009 Social History of Learning Disability Conference will take place at
the Open University in Milton Keynes on the 9th July.  The title of the
Conference is  ‘Families, History and Learning Difficulties’.

Below is the Call for Papers, giving suggestions as to some of the possible
themes. If you would like to send us a proposal for a paper, please forward
it to me at either my email or postal address, both of which are included in
the attachment. The deadline for receiving your proposal is the 16th March,
2009.

 We look forward very much to hearing from you.
 
With best wishes

Sheena Rolph
 
Faculty of Health and Social Care

 The Open University

Milton Keynes

MK7 6AA

 
Social History of Learning Disability Conference

                                         
                                                  9th July 2009

                     
                                 The Open University, Milton Keynes

 
                        Title:  ‘Families, History and Learning Difficulties’

 
 
                                           CALL FOR PAPERS

 
 
The 2009 Conference is on the theme of ‘Families, History and Learning
Difficulties’. We are looking for papers that explore the main issues that
emerge for people with learning difficulties and their families. We are
interested in a historical approach, and so are looking for papers
discussing how the experience of families with a relative (child or adult)
with learning difficulties has changed over time. We are also interested in
hearing the life stories of people with learning difficulties at different
periods, with particular reference to their families and family
relationships. An interesting theme that has begun to emerge in recent years
has related to hidden or lost families, and the search for lost parents,
brothers/sisters, or children.

 Papers could include:
·      the experiences of parents, step or adoptive or foster parents,
brothers/sisters and other relatives in relation to family support, and how
this has changed in the last 50 years

 ·      attitudes of the public and of support services to families,
focussing on changes and continuities
 
·      families as advocates

·      the issue of hidden families and hidden children and the theme of
family secrets: causes and explanations over time

·      the role of institutions and the medical approach: the use of
institutions by families

·      life stories of people with learning difficulties, focussing on their
families

·      issues of loss and rejection experienced by people with learning
difficulties

·      experiences of ‘found families’: life stories of people with learning
difficulties who have either found members of their families, or who have
been discovered by family members after many years of separation

Please send a short (up to one page) summary of your proposed paper by
Monday 16th March 2009 to Sheena Rolph at the following address:
 
[log in to unmask]

           OR
 
Sheena Rolph

Faculty of Health and Social Care

The Open University

Milton Keynes

MK7 6AA