How have people with disabilities been fighting to claim agency – in their own lives and in society?

You can find the digitial exhibition here.

In past and present, people with disabilities have often had to actively fight for their rights, to live independently and to claim agency in their own lives as well as in society more broadly. This important aspect of Austrian history is rarely mentioned in many museums. In our museum – the House of Austrian History – the experiences and histories of people with disabilities are similarly underrepresented. One reason for this gap is that there are only very few objects on this topic in our collection. To change that, we have initiated a new project on Disability History.

As part of this project, we collect objects and stories about the experiences, political engagement and activism of people with disabilities. Our broad understanding of activism in this context also includes everyday acts that lead to greater awareness and visibility regarding disability. We invite people with disabilities to contribute objects and stories to a digital exhibition or to send us contributions via the contact details below. We also welcome the donation of objects to our permanent collection.

The objects should demonstrate,

how people with disabilities have been fighting to claim agency to live independently and against barriers in their own lives as well as in society – and continue to do so:

For example: at work, in school, at university, when it comes to support and personal assistance, in your free time, in your family, among friends, in relationships, at home, in politics, in society, in art – also in terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

For example: of visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity, mental disabilities, diversity of language (e.g., sign language, easy read, Braille, diverse ways of communicating), etc.

For example: at protests, in peer groups, in self-advocacy groups,  through personal or written communication, through activism, at work, at home, at care and support facilities, via art (e.g.: painting, theatre, dance, music …)

These questions are only some examples. We are interested in your experiences and memories!

Do you own objects that were significant or important for such struggles for agency and independent living? Have you kept something that reminds you of these moments?

These could, for instance, be protest signs or other objects from protests, clothes, aids, buttons, stickers, but also personal objects or other things. Please take a picture of your object and upload it or send it to us via the contact details below. If you do not have an object, you can also contribute an image or video that tells your story.

You can also contribute objects and stories of another person, as long as the person is presented in a dignified way and – if the person is alive – as long as they consent to the contribution.

We understand that these questions address sensitive topics. In case you decide to share your story with us, we will treat it with utmost care.

Would you like to offer the objects, images or videos that you have contributed here to the permanent museum collection?

When submitting a contribution in our digital exhibition, you only have to tick a box and someone from our team will get in touch with you. You can, however, also let us know via email, mail or phone. Please keep in mind that it might take a bit of time for our team to process all contributions and get back to you.

We look forward to learning about your story!

Digital exhibition: Claiming Agency!

Email: dh-sammeln@hdgoe.at
Phone: (+43 1) 53410 – 795

Austrian National Library
House of Austrian History
Disability History Project
Josefsplatz 1
1015 Wien