This is a reproduction of the content already posted as a guest blog at https://www.latentexistence.me.uk/a-union-or-whatever-of-disabled-people/ and http://loopys-rollingwiththepunches.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/a-union-or-whatever-of-disabled-people.html
Given the results of this general election, it’s more clear than ever
that we need to make use of every tool outside of Parliament to stand
up for ourselves. To stand up for our rights, our participation, our
safety and our sanity.
It’s my feeling that a new national organisation, formally
constituted and mebership-based, would be a strong way to ensure the
voice of disabled people in politics, in civil society, and in the
media. I have nothing against DPAC and Black Triangle, and I hope their
work continues. Indeed, the organisation I envisage would hopefully work
with them, along with all sorts of DPULOs, and anyone else that it
makes sense to work with. The organisation I envisage would be dedicated
to constructive policy work and campaigning in all areas, not just
political. Inaccessible town centres, healthcare inequality, disabled
people’s sports – raising the profile of all these, and more, and saying
how we, disabled people, want things fixed – and having the data and
policy work to back it up. And yes, that includes working to protect the
social security that so many disabled people rely on, but also so much
more.
We don’t have to call it a union – it wouldn’t exactly be part of the
trades union movement, but I see it working in a similar way. A
national executive, policy votes, meetings and similar. Of course,
meetings can never be terribly accessible for many disabled people, so
we’d do more absentee voting at meetings, and more things by referenda.
But we would have a solidly defined constitution, and membership. So it
could be called ‘union’, or ‘association’, or ‘fellowship’ – there’s
arguments for and against a lot of language options. What’s important is
that we do it.
I truly believe that, done right, such an organisation can carry the
confidence and embody the unity of disabled people. We won’t all agree
on policies, there will be internal politics, but we can see how many
organisations out there make this work. We agree to follow our
collective will in essentials, even while being free to disagree
publicly. Not every disabled person would support it, but if we do it
right, enough will. A credible, mature and accountable voice for
disabled people on the national stage – with accountability, making it
easy for everyone to participate, and allowing for differences of
opinion without fragmenting.
I don’t have all the detail worked out, but here’s my thoughts so
far. Two-stream membership, with different voting rights –
self-identified disabled people as full members, and carers and allies
as associate members. Our carers and allies are vital, and they must
have a voice, especially carers, but the organisation must be led by
disabled people ourselves. A constitution that embeds concern for
intersectionality, that we will not discriminate against disabled people
on the basis of other characteristics – be it race, sex, education,
economic status, national origin (or even nationality), whatever. Not
party-political, but admonishing all political parties (and politicians)
equally, as merited. Praising that which is good and castigating that
which is bad. Caring as much about supporting each other as about making
noise and seeking change – providing advice and advocacy would be an
excellent thing to incorporate.
Yes, an organisation doing this is going to need money. I don’t
envisage employed staff any time soon, though if it takes off that’s a
possibility. But organisation generally costs money, like room hire,
renting a PO box, printing, and even legal advice. Some of that might
come from contributions in kind, and we can always hope for a few big
donors, but membership will probably need to cost money. I don’t know
how much. Perhaps charge associate members more than full members,
partly due to the fact that disabled people are more likely to be in
poverty, and partly because that demonstrates our allies’ commitment to
us as disabled people. Of course, concessional rates would be needed –
carers are scarcely in a better position than disabled people,
certainly. I’d love to sit down with some other people who are prepared
to get this off the ground and sort out these initial details. Heck, I’m
happy if other people run with the idea and I just end up a member, but
I’m willing to do work to start it – I just can’t do it all.
There’s so much more that I could say: how we can directly address
businesses and other organisations, not just politicians; how we can
facilitate a structure of affiliate organisations to allow for local
branches; how a clear forum that we have ownership of will allow us to
be open about our fears and our hopes and, yes, our differences.
Let’s do this thing.
