Eye + Matter is a Heritage Lottery Funded project. It happened between February 2020 – February 2022. The project was conceived by Ty Gwyn Special School and Forget-Me-Not-Productions. The project provided multiple opportunities for meaningful assistive technology experiences. We used music and the arts throughout. Subsequently, individuals with the most complex needs where able to then share their own history.
History starts here
The project had 13 key stakeholders. Ty Gwyn School, Maes Ebbw School, Trinity Fields School, Park Lane School, Ysgol Hen Felin, RCT Learning Curve (Gadlys Day Centre), Jac Richards, Hayder Ali and Ashish Isaac. We utilised assistive technology and the arts as effective tools to enable participants to achieve the aim “history starts here”. They seamlessly integrated their own stories and skills, with the history of assistive technology. While linking to the history of our heritage partner – Craig-y-Parc School. The overall ethos of the project promoted local heritage. Likewise we did so while celebrating the history of a community that has historically remained in the margins.
This project then gave individuals with the most complex disabilities opportunities to take part in a celebration of their heritage. It gave staff within the field of disability opportunities to learn about the history of assistive technology. We worked with a local heritage partner to create a project that celebrated the lives and history of this marginalised group. The project simultaneously developed staff’s skills in researching the heritage and history of disability.
We would like to thank the funders for making Eye + Matter possible.
