24th January 2009, 11:47 AM
I would hope it would not only identify issues with disabled people wanting to participate in archaeology, but also (and to me more important as it has affected me personally) how participating in archaeology affects people and can create disabilities and what we do about this.
How do we accommodate those made disabled by archaeology? but more importantly try and develop and encourage best practice to prevent this happening in the first place. There's a lot of archaeologists who 'retire' from the field due to chronic pain/inability to do the job any longer, especially bad backs and knees and wrists and rheumatism/arthritis. How can we change this? Is it indeed possible? Do units have to accept real responsibility for knackering the joints (and minds?) of their workers? Of course it cuts both ways and diggers also need to take responsibility for their long term health.
I will participate, and look forward to seeing the results, and what is done with them.
How do we accommodate those made disabled by archaeology? but more importantly try and develop and encourage best practice to prevent this happening in the first place. There's a lot of archaeologists who 'retire' from the field due to chronic pain/inability to do the job any longer, especially bad backs and knees and wrists and rheumatism/arthritis. How can we change this? Is it indeed possible? Do units have to accept real responsibility for knackering the joints (and minds?) of their workers? Of course it cuts both ways and diggers also need to take responsibility for their long term health.
I will participate, and look forward to seeing the results, and what is done with them.