speaker-photo

Stephen Unwin

Director, Teacher and Author of Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong
Stephen Unwin is an experienced theatre and opera director. He is also the father of a young man with profound learning disabilities and campaigns for the rights and dignities of people with learning disabilities. His recent book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong, was described by The Guardian as ‘a landmark book’.
09:40

1 Main programme

Keynote: Beautiful lives: a renewed vision for children with SEND

As we consider the future of the SEND system, Stephen Unwin will share a brief history of changing attitudes towards people with learning disabilities, especially in education, and how this still shapes practice. Inspired by his experience as a father to his son, Joey, Stephen will offer a vision of a society where no child is dismissed as ‘ineducable’ and champions dignity, individuality and human value. In his ‘landmark book’ (The Guardian), Stephen writes that people with learning disabilities ‘should be able to pursue their own beautiful lives in whatever way they want, safe, happy and free.’ How can education meet that challenge?