The IAA project phases 
Phase 1
The first phase of the project involved a survey to ascertain the current situation and responses to disability in relation to archaeological fieldwork. This involved a number of questionnaires addressed to the university departments teaching Archaeology, the Disability Offices within the Universities, the archaeological employers and disabled Archaeology students. It also involved the collection of a number of Case Studies based on interviews with disabled archaeology students and professional archaeologists.
Phase 1 reports
Summary version of the report
Complete version of the report
Student report
Phase 1 questionnaires
Heads of Departments
Heads of Disability Services
Archaeological Employers
Archaeology Students
Phase 2
The second phase of the project involved the characterisation of archaeological field techniques by physical and cognitive demands. The activities considered were those taught to undergraduate students as revealed by the Phase 1 questionnaire survey of Archaeology Departments. The work was carried out in collaboration with specialists in Inclusive Environments at the University of Reading. This characterisation was intended to inform Phase 3 of the project: controlled practical testing with volunteers. From this testing, the draft of the self-evaluation tool kit was developed.
Phase 2 report
Complete version of the report
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Phase 3
The self-evaluation tool kit was developed using the information gathered in Phases 1 and 2 of the project. This included:
- The archaeological tasks being taught to undergraduate Archaeology students
- The transferable skills gained by participating in archaeological fieldwork training
- The physical and cognitive abilities required to perform the different tasks.
The pro forma of the self-evaluation tool kit was subjected to a series of controlled tests using a group of disabled and non-disabled volunteers. In the light of these tests the effectiveness of the tool kit was established and, where problems arose, these informed its development. The archive report of the controlled tests is available through the Archaeology Data Service (ADS).
Phase 4
In the summer of 2006 the self-evaluation tool kit was given a field trial on three separate training excavations with disabled and non-disabled participants:
- East Holton, Dorset (Bournemouth University)
- Silchester, Hampshire (University of Reading)
- Knowlton, Dorset (Bournemouth University).
The aspects of the self-evaluation tool kit that needed refining were identified through the field trials. The archive reports of the field trials available through the Archaeology Data Service (ADS).
Phase 5
This involved the refinement of the project’s results and deliverables. Dissemination included the publication of articles in professional, academic and popular archaeology and access journals, the completion of guidelines for good practice, conference presentations and the availability of the project’s deliverables, reports and Case Studies on the website.