Lottery funding for Cardiff-based research project led by disabled people

Cardiff University has been awarded £88,077 as part of a previously funded £5 million research programme into independent living for disabled people.

The Legally Disabled? project will explore barriers and solutions to employment in the legal profession for disabled people. It’s been awarded funding from the DRILL (Disability Research on Independent Living and Learning) programme, a five year scheme launched in 2015, led by disabled people and funded by Big Lottery Fund.

The project, managed by Cardiff Business School's Dr Debbie Foster, will be led by disabled people, including disabled academics and policy makers.

Rhian Davies from Disability Wales, which is supporting DRILL projects in Wales said: “We’re delighted to be announcing this DRILL grant, and supporting a project run by disabled people about disability issues. This goes a long way to addressing the gaps in evidence which is needed to create lasting change for disabled people.”

Dr Debbie Foster said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to conduct research with disabled people in the legal profession. Too often it is assumed that disabled people only work in low skilled jobs and are not qualified to work in our top professions.

This research seeks to challenge such stereotypes by highlighting the contribution of disabled people in law and through identifying both the barriers that they continue to face and potential solutions."

DRILL has also announced that it is calling for new applications for research or project funds. More information is available from www.drilluk.org.uk.