Articles and News

Language is constantly evolving within inclusion and diversity spaces; not only are some terms and phrases being identified as harmful or oppressive, but others are being reclaimed by people of certain identities. As such, it is the duty of organisations claiming to represent and support underrepresented and marginalised groups to keep up to date with… Read More »On Changing Terminology: From “Dis/Abled” to “Disabled”

About the project The Improving Access project is a six-month exploration to understand how we can improve access to the heritage sector’s workforce and understand the current barriers. The project was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Young Foundation’s Heritage Innovation Fund. This project was developed by the Improving Access Group,… Read More »Improving Access

Marloes van der Sommen I wrote about it before: Now that the world is ‘easing up’, back to the ‘old normal’ I wondered: what lessons have we learned in recent years? What will we remember and what lessons will we take with us? And then with a focus on the lessons on heritage and inclusivity.… Read More »Part 2. The ‘new-old normal’: how inclusive has archaeology really become? (and what does hybrid actually mean?)

Marloes Van Der Sommen Now that the world is ‘easing up’, and we go back to the ‘old normal’, I’m starting to get a little worried and wonder: what lessons have we actually learned in the past two years? What will we remember and what lessons will we take with us? If you read my… Read More »The ‘new-old normal’: how inclusive has archaeology during covid really become?

Claudia Davies I am a deaf, recent postgraduate from Durham University with a passion for the accessibility of museums and heritage sites. I completed my dissertation/BA degree in 2021. For my undergraduate dissertation in BA Anthropology and Archaeology, I focused on D/deaf access to museums in the UK.  My dissertation closely analysed the legal requirements… Read More »D/deaf access to museums in the UK

By Marloes van der Sommen How accessible is our past and is it equally accessible to everyone? As a child, I liked to crawl into bed with my parents in the mornings on weekends and in that security, cosy under the warm blankets, the following question usually followed: “Daddy, mommy, tell me about the old… Read More »The Archaeology of Accessibility

Marloes van der Sommen Now, “different” is nice, but it sure isn’t pretty “Pretty” is what it’s about I never met anyone who was “different” Who couldn’t figure that out So beautiful I’d never live to see But it was clear If not to her Well, then to me That… (At the ballet, Marvin Hamlish, Musical:… Read More »‘Being different’ is looking for Space in Archaeology

Sarahjayne Clements from the Enabled Archaeology Foundation introduces the Foundation as part of the Festival of Archaeology, shares the objectives, goals, key themes and current activities. Our website ranges from people displaying their skills, knowledge, expertise and experiences with employability to recommendations of training courses and excavations. Archaeological employers, museums and more are highlighted for… Read More »An Introduction to the Enabled Archaeology Foundation

by Emily Stammitti-Campbell We know that everything is accessible if only we can see ourselves as enablers of the possibility. It was a rainy afternoon in August when I spoke to Theresa about my big plans for creating a vocational archaeology programme at the college where I was [then] working as a lecturer in employability… Read More »Archaeology as a Vocation

A Tribute to Theresa & British Enabled Archaeology In a fitting testament to work of Theresa, Emily Stammitti and MOLA Community Archaeologist, Will Rathouse, presented a paper at the digital Reuvensdagen Conference held on November 19, 2020. It was delivered as one of several talks revolving around inclusion in archaeology in the Netherlands, and the… Read More »Enabling and Including in British Archaeology

The inability of Ability within UK archaeology today is a major bugbear for those of us within enabled archaeology.

Those of you who are new to the website, and indeed the discussion surrounding dis/Abled/enabled participation in archaeology, will have likely noticed some unfamiliar language has been used on this website. Indeed, many of you may struggle to find the most appropriate term to use in a given situation and worry about inadvertently causing offence.… Read More »Language

What model of disability do people with dyslexia in university archaeology courses experience? O’Mahony, T. (2017)figshare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5394382.v1. This study investigated specifically the experiences of dyslexic people on archaeology courses within the ‘medical’ and ‘social’ models of disability. Generally, the Western medical model envisages disabled people as responsible for their disabilities, whereas the social model… Read More »Empowering Archaeology

O’Mahony, T. 2016London Archaeologist, Autumn 2016, Volume 14, Number 10, p 265 – 269. Before introducing my research, I need to define disability and explain my disabled experience. There are two types of disability: visible and invisible. Visible disabilities are those that any person can see, whether it be a wheelchair or loss of limbs.… Read More »Archaeology from a Disabled Enabled Perspective

Archaeology fieldwork which is accessible for all participants no matter their current physical or mental circumstances can be achieved with only a few minor adjustments and often at little or no financial cost to the organiser or contractor. Of course some manual team work is required prior to commencement of the excavation, this should always be the case, with individuals, working together to support each other to the benefit of the team. This guide provides a general overview and offers a brief insight into what is possible with a little thought and consideration.