Life Story as a method

Ian Buchanan

Introduction

• Why is my learning partnership using it

• How are we using it

• Strengths and weaknesses

Our Partnership

• Empowerment and Disability: Informal learning through self-advocacy and life history

• Self-advocate involvement from the outset• Partners

– ONT(Our New Future) from Flanders associated with the University of Gent

– Carlisle & Central England People Firsts associated with the Open University

– National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin

– Women’s History & Parents’ Support Group associated with the University of Iceland

Why we use it

• Integral to the history of self-advocacy• Origins in decarceration movement• The importance of voice• Experiential

• Authenticity• Grass roots• Reflective learning

How are we using it

To develop ways of developing research and learning:

• As a basis for equality

• To find common experiences

• As a way of developing learners – or more properly learning

Strengths and weakness discussion

• Can be life changing• People move from telling to hearing to reflecting• Used by many groups of people seeking

emancipation through learning• Requires trust• Ethical issues• It isn’t just another method

Examples

• Other people and services try to control people’s stories. It was really hard because staff at my service open letters and read them. I had to put my story on tape and take it into my room so I can control my own story.

• I discovered that I could tell stories through pictures. What I want is to talk then takes pictures with a supporter. Taking and using photographs can be used by everyone in telling their stories.

• If we want to participate in society we have to talk for ourselves. If we want to be in society we have to fight for it.