Life Stories, Intellectual Disability, Cultural Heritage and Ethics: Dilemmas in Researching and (re)presenting Accounts from the Scottish Highlands

* This paper was originally intended for inclusion in the Special Issue of the journal (No 7, 03, 2013) on Learning Disability History.

Abstract

This article reflects on the ethical dilemmas involved in undertaking research on the history of institutional and community intellectual disability services between 1966 and 2009 in a tight-knit community in Scotland, through the In Our Own Voices: Leaving New Craigs hospitals' story project. The accounts collected include painful memories of oppressive practice as well as fond recollections of community spirit, kindness and ‘good’ staff. However, the research stirred up sensitive issues amongst the community that left the researcher facing a number of challenges. In this article the authors will reflect on the ethics of investigating, confronting and disseminating difficult histories.

Keywords:

• intellectual disability
• life stories
• de-institutionalisation
• community care

Notes

* This paper was originally intended for inclusion in the Special Issue of the journal (No 7, 03, 2013) on Learning Disability History.