Chapter 1 - continued

In the bleak, impoverished years of the 1930s, disabled people started to seek solidarity through self-help type social groups which evolved into fully regulated clubs, societies and associations. The Cripple’s Car Circle and the Birmingham and District Social Club for the Hard of Hearing both started in 1930 and in 1932 the Birmingham and Midland Limbless Ex-Service Association was formed.

The trend for peer-participatory, sometimes even user-led disability associations is exemplified by an example of a group formed in Coventry in 1938. Three young disabled men in Coventry formed the Coventry Cripples’ Social Club. Len Tasker, one of the three original members, recalls life for disabled people in the early part of the 20th century:

“At the beginning of the 20th century the plight for the disabled was pretty desperate. No employment and begging in the street by playing musical instruments or trying to sell matches, reels of cotton and other small items was a common sight. The younger disabled who had no support were put into 'Institutions'.

“There were very few opportunities to enjoy a social life and entry into a place of entertainment and other public places was an impossibility for those confined to wheelchairs. They were considered a risk in case of emergency.

“However, the 20th century was to see amazing changes. It was the disabled themselves who rose up and were at the centre of this peaceful revolution. It was in 1938 that three Coventry disabled men got together and decided to try to form a social club for the disabled as no such facilities existed in the city at that time.

“The disabled trio, little realising the tremendous effect their actions were to have in enriching the lives of hundreds of people over the next 62 years, decided to give the title of their pioneering venture ‘the Coventry Cripples’ Social Club’.

“They were Eric F Gray, Harry Trustlove and Len Tasker. Other disabled friends joined them and the first meeting place was Sydenham Place. Then came 1939 and the Second World War, the terrible blitz in 1940 and the two awful blitzes in 1941. These nearly put an end to the club, but the members persevered in their efforts by meeting at the British Legion Club every Sunday morning. Although only about six members would turn up, it kept the club alive.

“In late 1941 the members discovered a bombed house at 13, Priory Street, which, they considered, would make ideal headquarters. The owner was contacted by the club's president, Councillor Harry Weston, and the premises were offered to the members free of charge, provided they repaired all the bomb damage and maintained the building.

“This wonderful offer was joyfully accepted. And, so, 13 became our happy headquarters for the next 14 years. In 1945 the club's title changed to the Enterprise Club For Disabled People, the proud title which it still holds today.”

Local groups like Coventry’s Enterprise Club went from strength to strength during the 1950s and 1960s, giving disabled people increased access to community-based activities such as social events, hobby and craft based activities and disability sport.

Some of these groups forged links with national user-led organisations such as the Invalid Tricycle Association (later becoming the Disabled Drivers Association), formed in 1947. Even so, most local groups remained on the periphery of mainstream society and were either self-supporting or raised funds through charitable appeals.

The charity model response to disability had its roots in the large national institutions such as the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. However, from the late 1940s onwards there was a sudden increase in charities set up by parents and carers, such as Mencap (founded in 1946), Mind (1946), Leonard Cheshire Homes (1948) and the Spastics Society (1954).

The 1944 Education Act had established the legal requirement for all British children described as “handicapped” to be educated in special schools or classes and by the 1950s this provision was becoming very specialised with an ever-increasing range of schools and colleges for children with different types of impairment.

In September 1948 a school for children with cerebral palsy opened in Victoria Road, Harborne, in Birmingham. The school was called Carlson House and was set up with support from Paul Cadbury of Birmingham’s chocolate manufacturing family, whose own daughter Margaret had cerebral palsy.

Birmingham-born David Barnsley was one of the first pupils at Carlson House and describes its early development:

“Paul Cadbury gathered together a group of people prepared to support his venture and to put up some finance. People like Ken Quayle, of Quayle Carpets in Kidderminster, as well as others. They also gained the interest of Birmingham’s Education Department which agreed to put up some money.

“They purchased a large house at 13a, Victoria Road in Harborne. It had a large garden and stables and, from 1945, the building was made suitable for the education of children with cerebral palsy.

“In those days parents didn't get grants, so they banded together. I recall going as a child of about 5 or 6 to 13a Victoria Road for weekends when my parents helped with the working parties who were converting the house. There was a covered way from the house to the stables with 17 windows along the side, which gives you some idea of the size of the area. It was converted into the physiotherapy department. Physiotherapy and speech therapy were offered on a daily basis.

“The criteria set for admission to Carlson House was based on a certain IQ level and children were vetted to see that they would benefit from what was offered. I recall that the kids used to be collected each morning by pre-war Austin taxis supplied by the All Electric Garage in Harborne – they were of dubious vintage – even the journey from home was exciting because of the tendency for the vehicles to break down at least every seven days.

“The spare car came to pick you up and then that would break down too! The back number plate would be put in the boot. It was a dubious choice between which car was most broken down!

“The cars became symbols, we were attached to them and recalled them by their registration plates. There was ‘ADA’, ‘EA’ and a rather sophisticated and beautiful Armstrong Sydney Sapphire with an unfortunate number plate ‘CAC’! And that is how we got to school.”

From an interview between David Barnsley and Peter Millington / Pinpoint Magazine – Winter 2003 edition.