Disability, Health and Wellbeing
This year's UK Disability History Month theme is 'Disability, Health and Wellbeing'. The offical site for UK Disability History Month explains the reason behind this theme as stemming from the realities that disabled people face being highlighted by COVID-19, demonstrating 'across the UK and around the world just how fragile are the rights disabled people have secured for themselves and how easily we become expendable'.
This month, from 16 November to 16 December, the Culture and Inclusion (C&I) team will be drawing attention to a range of different works focused on and around disability, with emphasis on raising awareness of the difficulties disabled people encounter in their everyday lives - as well as their triumphs. Every Friday for Disability History Month we'll take a look at the history of fighting for disabled rights, first-hand accounts from disabled people of their challenges and wins, and works created by disabled people to lift their identities and get people talking. We hope this encourages everyone to reflect even more deeply on the importance of this month and the commitment and efforts of those continually trying to make the world a better place for the members of our community that have disabilities.
As an introduction to the history of the fight for the recognition of disability rights, we recommend viewing this BBC article which gives greater insight into the hard-fought battles that, for the most part, disabled people took upon themselves in the face of great opposition. You may also wish to read about how members of this community - such as organisations like Disability Rights UK - are still at the forefront of representing the interests of disabled people today, through affirmative action, charity drives and education about disabilities and the ways we can all help. The UK disability equality charity Scope have an extensive YouTube collection that ranges from educating on prejudicial attitudes around disability to 'what not to say' when meeting a disabled person, and are also a fantastic resource for anyone seeking to improve their allyship.
Throughout the month we will also draw attention to disabled content creators, like Gem Hubbard, who have made huge contributions to raising awareness of the difficulties the disabled community faces by working with international organisations and helping make people feel more seen and heard, particularly when it comes to everyday things like clothes and items that are designed to be more wheelchair-friendly. Similarly, organisations like Adapt to Perform focus on the wellbeing of disabled people in terms of exercise and meditation, offering classes tailored to specific needs and reiterating the idea that these should be available - and accessible - to everyone.
We hope you enjoy everything in store for this blog during Disability History Month and can't wait to show you all the great works highlighting people's tireless efforts in the fight for disability equality.
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