This film is part of Free
An Ordinary Life
“I’d much rather work at a computer than make wicker baskets” – disabled people hit the mainstream in 1980s Britain
Overview
“I’d much rather work at a computer than make wicker baskets” – this film looks at the mainstream inclusion of disabled people in employment, education and the built environment. It features a unique computer consultancy business, run by disabled people themselves, and how ideas like inclusive design can benefit us all.
Wycliffe Noble, one of the film’s contributors, was a pioneering architect and ally of disabled people. He was a champion of the idea of Inclusive Design, which asked designers to look at the built environment in terms of access for all users. Some of the practical solutions he devised are shown in the film. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
The End The End
Science Fiction 2011 24 mins
A moving speculation on the future decline of Deaf culture
Smallest Woman in the World Smallest Woman in the World
News 1972 8 mins Location: Bromsgrove
Living in a world that makes no concessions for her size: Joyce Carpenter is Britain's smallest woman.
Trapped Rhythms Trapped Rhythms
Music video 2016 4 mins
Powerful music video that demands respect for difference.
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Resistance Resistance
Drama 2008 13 mins
Artist-activist Liz Crow's haunting film about the Nazis' Aktion-T4 programme during World War Two. In 1939 Germany, a secret institution has sinister plans for its disabled inmates.
Artificial Limb Making Artificial Limb Making
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
Occupational therapy turns full circle, as amputee soldiers learn to make artificial limbs for others
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.