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SHLD reports

Funding the Gap: An investigation into the funding of self-advocacy Groups

In 2021, an inclusive team of researchers from The Open University (OU) teamed up with Learning Disability England to find out more about the funding of self-advocacy. The research explored how and why some groups have managed to stay strong and survive, while others have found it difficult to secure enough money to keep going. 

The team interviewed self-advocacy groups about their experience of getting funding, as well as commissioners who make decisions about funding.

Funding the Gap: full report: This is a full report of the study that includes details about methods, what we found out and key recommendations.

Funding the Gap: Easy Read version: This is an easy read version of the report using photosymbols and text. Thank you to Barod CIC for helping us to produce this.


Contraceptive choices for women with learning disabilities - an Open University research project

Contraceptive choices for women with learning disabilities is an Open University research project, supported by a grant from Open Society Foundations (Grant No: OR2014-12989). This inclusive project set out to explore women’s contraceptive decision-making and sought to include women with mild to moderate learning disabilities as well as women with high support needs. Between December 2014 and April 2015 we interviewed 19 women living in several locations across the United Kingdom. Read the Final Report.


The Welfare Reform and Work Bill: SHLD members attend All Party Parliamentary Group

On the 5th November 2015, Sue Ledger and Jan Walmsley from the SHLD Research Group attended a combined meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Learning Disability (chaired by Chris Heaton Harris) and the APPG on Disability (chaired by Lisa Cameron). The meeting was held to discuss changes outlined in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill.

The Bill legislates for cuts to meet the government target of cutting £12 billion from the welfare budget.

Disability charities and MPs have raised a number of concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on disabled people and their families and carers.

You can read the Full Report, our Easy Read Summary of the report and Mencap's Easy Read Summary of the Bill below.

Contact us

About the Group

If you woud like to get in touch with the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group, please contact:

Liz Tilley 
Chair of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group
School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

About the website

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