An experimental initiative called Rethinking Disability Representation has been launched at nine museums and art galleries in England and Scotland.

The £500,000 project aims to challenge traditional perceptions and stereotypes of disability by displaying images, objects and film related to people with disabilities and their lives, in a bid to evoke thought-provoking dialogues with visitors.

In addition, the nine partner arts establishments will develop and share their ideas by providing examples of good practice to better enable the future portrayal of disability issues at museums and art galleries in a sensitive and valuable manner.

The concept was developed and is being managed by the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) – based in the Department of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester – in collaboration with disabled activists and artists, cultural practitioners and museum and gallery representatives.

Funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, NESTA and the University of Leicester.

Jocelyn Dodd, director of RCMG, said: “This is an exciting and challenging journey of discovery for all involved in the project.

“Understanding the significance of museum collections in the context of this project has involved considerable rethinking through a different lens.

“It has only been possible with the range of skills and expertise from the worlds of disability and museums working together creatively and with the grass roots involvement of disabled people who have helped shape individual projects.”