The work of disabled people over the years is being collected and stored at the University of Leeds in a ?labour of love? project by Director of the Centre of Disability Studies, Professor Colin Barnes.

Founded last September, Disability Archive UK is a reference centre for students, researchers and scholars wanting to access articles and documents that are no longer publicly available.

As well as founding and building the Archive, Professor Barnes has also made a significant personal contribution to the content of the site, including various theses focusing on discrimination, political correctness and various other issues.

Introducing the archive Professor Barnes says: ?There is little doubt that Disability Studies should be rooted in the work of disabled people and their organisations. But all too often we have little or no knowledge of the concerns and insights of those who went before.

?It is hoped that documents available via the Archive will help to inform current and future debates on disability and related issues.?

There are already more than 100 entries in the Archive, and Professor Barnes expects the amount to treble by September.

An enthusiastic Professor Barnes said today: ?I would encourage anybody interested in Disability Studies to read our material. Leeds University is the most important resource centre for disabled people in the world.?