What is Disability History Month?
Disability History Month is supported by many organisations, charities, students, and Unions,
ourselves included. The month aims to promote disabled peoples rights and their struggle for
equality in the past, present and builds action on what is needed in the future. Disability History
month is an annual movement which builds awareness and activity for disabled people. The 2023
Disability History Month national theme focusses on the Experience of Disablement amongst children
and young people.
Influential People who have impacted disability related UK Laws:
Ben Purse
Ben was an early trailblazer for disability rights, leading a march of blind
people and people with visual impairments to Parliament in 1920, which led
to an important new law.
Rosa May Billinghurst
Influential suffragette and wheelchair user, Rosa played an important role
in protests and action in the campaign for votes for women.
Lord Alf Morris
As an MP and member of the House of Lords, Alf became a strong
disability rights ally after experiencing inequality first-hand when his father
returned from the Great War unable to work due to his injuries.
Anne Begg
Motivated by the challenges she faced to become a teacher, Anne
campaigned to become an MP in Parliament to fight for equal opportunities
for all, becoming the first ever full-time wheelchair user in the House of
Commons.
Baroness Jane Campbell
As a young girl, Jane found herself unfairly excluded from mainstream
education and wanted to make sure no one was left out again, by first
becoming a disability rights activist, and later a member of the House of
Lords.
Deborah Williams
When Deborah, a performer and artist, established her own company to tell
her stories, she became such a success that she was invited into
Parliament to share her experience and skills with a select committee.
Understanding disability
52% of working age disabled people are in employment, compared to 81% of working age non-disabled people.
Disabled people from BAME backgrounds report greater social inequalities compared to disabled people from white backgrounds.
5-7% of disabled people use a wheelchair.
83% of disabled people acquire their health condition during working age.
Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes, some visible, some hidden. Embark on a journey of discovery and find out more here. You can also grab your disability lanyards from the SU reception in the Hub!