This film is part of Free
Disabled Access in Belfast City Centre
Join Belfast’s first female Lord Mayor and reconsider how disabled people navigate the streets of Belfast.
Overview
The International Year of the Disabled in 1981 prompted a series of Ulster Television features like this, exploring the experiences of disabled people in Northern Ireland. These rushes invite you to consider how poor planning and maintenance creates obstacles that impede access to public space. Was 1981 a watershed as hoped in this film? Next time you’re in Belfast City Centre think about what changes could still be made to improve access.
This material is Courtesy of the UTV Archive. Around the same time as this film Ian Dury wrote "Spasticus Autisticus" as a protest against the International Year of Disabled Persons. Although the year was intended to raise awareness and shift both government and public attitudes, it was also felt by many to be condescending. According to Terence Blacker, Dury was “commissioned to write a song for the Year of the Disabled, he reclaimed disability from victimhood with lyrics that steamed with rage and sarcasm.”
Related
Food for Thought Food for Thought
Advert 6 mins Location: Belfast
Hangry animals demand better grub in this bizarre advert by E.T. Green
Kennedy's Bread Kennedy's Bread
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Belfast
This family favourite is guaranteed to have you singing all the way to the bread bin
Launch of the "Celtic" Launch of the "Celtic"
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: Belfast
Seawards heads a great ship, the biggest of its day
Belfast Street Scenes 1890's Belfast Street Scenes 1890's
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks
Year of the Disabled Year of the Disabled
Current affairs 1981 20 mins Location: Belfast
Counterpoint explores how government policy measures up to the reality of the country’s mobility needs.
See You Monday See You Monday
Current affairs 1977 16 mins Location: Belfast
Members of the Deaf community share their experiences of working in Belfast factories.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.