Accessibility and Archives: Preserving History, Shaping the Future: The National Autistic Society In our Words Archive Project
In this guest blog, Christine Flintoft-Smith (Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects) at the National Autistic Society introduces the In Our Words project which includes both a digital archive and an online exhibition celebrating the charity’s first sixty years.
In 2023, we were fortunate to receive funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, enabling us to embark on an ambitious archive project within our charity. The National Autistic Society, having turned 60 the previous year, stood at a crossroads—each passing year meant losing invaluable stories and pioneering voices that had shaped the autism landscape in the UK.
Founded by passionate parents advocating for their children’s futures, the charity was instrumental in building support networks, spreading knowledge, and campaigning for systemic change. From these efforts emerged a rich legacy—one that deserved to be preserved not only to honour the past but to inform and shape the future.
Building an Archive from 60 Years of History
Gathering, curating, and archiving six decades of history for an organisation spanning the entire United Kingdom was no small task. We often wished that previous generations had initiated this work earlier—like Leonard Cheshire, whose careful documentation preserved his charity’s development from the very beginning.
With so much ground to cover, clear parameters were essential. We decided to focus on the charity’s journey as a whole, knowing that intertwined within this history lay the evolution of autism understanding, advocacy, and support strategies. Creating a timeline of key milestones for each decade allowed us to stay focused while guiding outreach for contributions.
We sought advice from both the London Archive and the Oral History Society.
Ensuring Autistic Voices Remain Central
Beyond capturing historical data, our mission was to create a shared history—one that resonated with autism professionals, families, and most importantly, autistic people themselves. To ensure their voices shaped the archive, we implemented multiple strategies:
Online public surveys were conducted via the charity’s social media channels, gathering insights on what should be featured and how the archive should be displayed.
A steering group, co-chaired and comprising 75% autistic members, played a key role in guiding the project’s direction, reviewing website content, podcasts, and films.
Over 20 volunteers, more than half of whom were autistic, supported the collection of oral history interviews. Working alongside the Oral History Society, we adapted training to be autism-friendly and accessible, ensuring volunteers felt confident in their roles.
Contributors shared history through interviews, art, podcasts, and film, weaving personal perspectives into the fabric of the archive.
This collaborative approach not only enriched the archive but empowered volunteers, many of whom gained new skills to carry forward into education, work, and personal projects.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite the wealth of historical materials, many photographs and old film footage could not be used due to difficulties in identifying individuals or securing consent. Instead, these were catalogued and stored alongside other physical archive assets.
Where possible, permissions were sought for individual contributions, and sensitive documents were redacted to protect identities. One stipulation of our funding was that the archive be held under an open Creative Commons licence, allowing broad reuse and adaptation—including commercial use. However, given the sensitive nature of much of our archive, we successfully applied for exemptions, ensuring that most materials remain protected.
Creating an Accessible, Digital Legacy
In an era where digital connection is more vital than ever, a digital archive emerged as the best solution to preserve and share the immense wealth of history we had gathered. Not only did it allow us to make information widely accessible to the public, but it also acknowledged the challenges many autistic individuals and families face when traveling to physical locations.
By choosing a digital format, we ensured that everyone, regardless of location or circumstance, could engage with our history in a way that best suited them. At the same time, this approach embraced the realities of our increasingly digital world, where personal histories, experiences, and advocacy efforts are increasingly documented online. Sustainability was key, and this model enables us to preserve, adapt, and expand the archive for future generations, ensuring the voices of those who shaped the autism movement remain accessible for years to come.
A Milestone for the Future
In May 2025, we proudly launched our archive—a monumental achievement reflecting years of dedication and collaboration across teams. More than just a collection of history, it stands as a testament to the unwavering passion of all those autistic people, families and professionals, whose vision has always been rooted in ensuring that autistic people have the best possible opportunities. While this archive honours their work, it also serves as a reminder that the journey is far from over—there is still much to do in building a truly inclusive society.
Our final stage is focused on growth and continued representation—not only preserving the charity’s development but continuing to expand it to reflect the evolving experiences and contributions of autistic people. By empowering autistic individuals to shape their own narratives, we ensure that this archive remains dynamic, relevant, and forward-thinking—a resource that not only looks back at history but actively shapes the future.
Cover photo is: Sybil Elgar and boy - courtesy of the National Autistic Society.
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