As part of a BA (Hons) in Heritage Studies I am considering the interpretation of conflict related disability in museums globally. As an ex-member of the armed forces, and a volunteer for Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help in the UK, I am only too aware of the number of military personnel returning from overseas operations having sustained injuries leading to permanent disability. The reason I have chosen this potentially sensitive topic for discussion is that I am interested in the role that museums could have in supporting people, such as these troops, in the following ways;
• By educating visitors and raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals who have been injured in war and the impact that living with disability has on their lives.
• By providing inspiration and defining role models, both historical and contemporary, through the appropriate communication of stories and biographies.
• By showcasing technological developments in medical science and the field of prosthetics.
I would also hope that interpreting the topic would lead to the development of associated projects which would inform national and international policy on disability awareness and legislation. This may also provide a focal point for support groups and an advertising platform for campaigns such as the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
The challenge is to how to interpret this subject in a way which respects the individual and takes into account any cultural differences between nations and ethnic groups. Who decides what is appropriate and how it is to be presented? Would the interpretation meet its aims and how would that be evaluated? Should this topic be the subject of heritage interpretation at all?
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