Disability Rights UK

“Disability and what a ‘normal’ and ‘healthy body’ is an ever-changing term and developed under the conditions of the British Empire trying to categorise whose bodies they can exploit for work.” Purple border with an image of chains breaking

🗣️New blog post - Disability and Colonialism Blog Series

'Addressing Islamophobia, Surveillance and Criminalisation of Neurodivergent Distress'

Read Iman's extensive piece on the linkages between Islamophobia, counter-terror policing and ableism

Read⤵

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/address...

DR UK’s response to the Schools White Paper

🚨NEWS🚨 DR UK's Response to the Schools White Paper

💬"We are concerned that any attempts to change the law are aimed at diluting our rights and limiting access to support, especially in the context of recent cuts to our social security."

Read more 👇
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uk%E...

Colonial rule did not arrive asking how difference functioned within community. It arrived demanding legibility. Bodies had to behave. Minds had to conform. Labour has to be measurable. - by Lady T's Purple border with an image of chains breaking

📣New piece in our Disability and Colonialism Blog Series

The Trouble with Being Named, by Lady T's

In this piece, Lady T's expands on pre colonial African perspectives on disability and the harsh rigidity that colonial occupation brought.

Read ⤵️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/trouble...

🗳️It’s not long until Welcome to Your Vote Week - Monday 9 March to Sunday 15 March 2026!

Support young people to learn more about democracy and explore why voting matters using the Electoral Commission’s impartial resources.

Free resources and more 👇 www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/re...

What will the SEND reforms mean for disabled children? Hundreds of thousands fewer children will get education, health and care plans (EHCPs) as a result of changes to the special education system.

🚨We spoke to @bigissue.com about the Government's Schools White Paper

🗣️"We do not trust that these reforms are anything other than a cost-cutting exercise.

“The current issue with the SEND system isn’t the law; it’s a lack of accountability." www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

Disability Rights Handbook - 2026-2027 - Early bird The handbook provides in-depth information and invaluable guidance on the benefits system and social care services. Full of tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim. Your right to benefit...

📘Pre-order our NEW Disability Rights Handbook NOW!

We have spent over 50 years providing in-depth, guidance on the everchanging benefits system - everything you need to make a claim!

Pre-order using this 5% off discount link before March 9th👇
shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/dis...

🌍Sign up to The Big Plastic Count!

As an official The Big Plastic Count partner, we’ll be counting every piece of plastic packaging we throw away, using the results to call on the government to do more about the UK’s plastics crisis.

Join the movement👇
tbpc2026.com/DRUK

Proposed SEND reforms could set schools up to fail While increased early support for SEND is welcome, years of underfunding and diminished external services mean that this new funding is barely a drop in the bucket of the investment necessary to drive...

'Proposed SEND reforms could set schools up to fail'

Read @nasuwt-official.bsky.social breakdown of the key proposals in the Government's White Paper and what they're actually mean for schools and Disabled children.

www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-list...

Children with SEND need support, not restrictions to their rights With the SEND white paper due to be published, Bethany Bale writes about what must change to ensure that children get the right support.

The Government's Schools White Paper is set to be released soon. Whilst we don't know details yet, we're worried they will target rights and limit access to ECHPs.

Recently, DR UK's Bethany Bale wrote about systemic injustice in the education system👇
www.bigissue.com/opinion/chil...

Join Our Co-Production Webinar Series!

The first two sessions in our co-production webinar series have been uploaded!

👉What co-production means to us
👉Advantages of co-production

We still have 4 more sessions you can sign up to!

📺Watch back the recordings and register here
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/join-ou...

It's not just that colonisers spread disease, they also purposely create conditions for disease to spread in order to maintain their power over subjugated people. We can also see this multi-pronged approach happening right now in occupied Gaza, Palestine. Quote attributed to Lauren. Image of purple chains breaking

🗣️New Blog post!

Disablement Through Disease as a Colonial Tactic by Lauren Nathan-Lane

This is the FIRST in our Disability and Colonialism Blog Series, which we've been very excited to share with you!

Take a read of Lauren's sharp analysis ⤵️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disable...

📅Tuesday 24th February 6pm registration link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

📅Thursday 26th February, 12 noon registration link:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Launching soon! Get ready to spark creativity in your local area. A new toolkit for local creative groups and Disabled people Save the date Join us online 6pm, Tuesday 24th February 12pm noon Thursday 26th February

🎭We've been working with Disabled communities & arts groups to build a Toolkit that will help make creative spaces more accessible for all.

💥We're so excited to be launching this next month, and we want YOU there!

Don't miss it! Register on either day using the links below👇

Disability Rights Handbook Edition 51 April 2026 - April 2027 A guide to benefits and services for all Disabled people, their families, carers and advisers Disability Rights UK Logo

📘Pre-order the 2026-2027 Disability Rights Handbook NOW!

We have spent over 50 years providing in-depth, comprehensive guidance on the everchanging benefits system - everything you need to make a claim!

Pre-order before Feb 24th to get 5% off 👇
shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/dis...

💥As an official The Big Plastic Count partner, we’ll be counting every piece of plastic packaging we throw away from 9 - 15 March, and using the results to call on the government to do more about the UK’s plastics crisis.

Join us, we need you! 👇
thebigplasticcount.com/sign-up?sour...

The Law of Unintended Consequences - New Report by Mo Stewart

🚨The Law of Unintended Consequences: How the government justified preventable harm

New report by Mo Stewart can be accessed on our website 📗
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/law-uni...

Cuts to disability benefits for those who cannot work ‘is recipe for greater hardship’ and ‘will put lives at risk’ Activists say the government’s decision to slash disabled people’s out-of-work benefits is a “recipe for greater hardship” and will risk claimants’ lives, as ministers this week pushed through cuts…

🗣️“In pursuing arbitrary savings figures, the government risks our lives rather than testing new approaches that benefit disabled people, and the wider economy and society." - DR UK's Mickey Erhardt in Disability News Service's latest piece

Read more 👇
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/cuts-to-disa...

📚Case study alert!

As part of our Get Yourself Active Local work, we've been working in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, supporting Disabled people and local authorities to access activity in a way that suits them!

Read more 👇
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...

🪴Everyone's Environment Local - Get involved!

This programme helps community-based organisations and DPOs take part in climate action

We are looking for 60 community organisations from Greater Manchester to join us - check it out below!

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/everyones-en...

Opinion: The Government Intentionally Left Disabled People to Suffer

🚨Opinion: The Government Intentionally Left Disabled People to Suffer Financially During the Pandemic

Ewura-Ama Quarshie shares her perspective on how Module 9 of the Covid Inquiry exposed hard truths about Disabled people’s financial situation 👇
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/opinion...

Activity Trap - Get Yourself Active

Read more about our work on this important topic 👉

getyourselfactive.org/project/acti...

Good Morning Britain on X: "'Why is it fair that taxpayers should pay you that money?' ＠edballs and ＠charlottehawkns ask Shaun Rigby, an amputee who has been told to pay back £36,000 in disability benefits after DWP investigators secretly filmed him playing cricket. https://t.co/vExAKZrBgE" / X 'Why is it fair that taxpayers should pay you that money?' ＠edballs and ＠charlottehawkns ask Shaun Rigby, an amputee who has been told to pay back £36,000 in disability benefits after DWP investigators secretly filmed him playing cricket. https://t.co/vExAKZrBgE

This fear is called the ‘Activity Trap’. And sadly, it is more than a fear for many Disabled people. Earlier this year, our campaigner Mikey was on @goodmorningbritain.bsky.social alongside Shaun, who had vital social security support taken away for being physically active.
x.com/GMB/status/1...

Image of parliamentarians around a table whilst GYA and Durham present on the impact of the Activity Trap

We were glad to be welcomed into Parliament by @marykfoymp.bsky.social to present our latest co-produced research with @dusportexsci.bsky.social to MPs, Peers and decision makers on the impact of the Activity Trap.

Disabled people are scared of losing benefits, so locked out of being active🧵

Graphic titled Disabled people need mobility equality has pictures of different Disabled people using wheeled mobility aids, some of which are presently legal to use in some ways, and some of which are not presently legal. The pictures are surrounding the words “Rights to pedestrian mobility” and “Rights to cycling and cycling-equivalent mobility”. From left and top to bottom in columns, a child using a powerchair, an adult using a powerchair with a pram attached, an adult using a mobility scooter towing two children in a cycle-type trailer, an adult using a manual wheelchair and long cane, an adult on a mobility scooter assisting a small child who is walking, an adult on a recumbent trike, an adult using a manual wheelchair with an e-assist handcycle attachment, an older child on a bicycle, an adult and child using a side-by-side tandem. At the bottom is hashtag MobilityJustice and the Wheels for Wellbeing logo.

"Every Journey, Everyone: Why Mobility Aid Regulations Need to Change - and How You Can Help!

@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk wrote for our blog about the ongoing consultation into mobility laws and how you can have your say.

Read more and get involved! 👇
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/every-j...

DPO Development Officer - Job page - Disability Rights UK We actively welcome and value lived experience! This role is part of a movement for Disability Justice and work ‘Led by those most affected’. We’re a Disabled People’s Org...

💼 Join us as a DPO Development Officer at Disability Rights UK

Your role would help us build the capacity of Disabled People's Organisations!

Permanent contract, 35 hours a week
Closing date: 9th February
Salary: £32,749 - £36,749

careers.disabilityrightsuk.org/job/e6a9ff7f...

Have your say! 📢

Disabled young people aged 11 – 25 deserve to be heard. Share your experiences in the @DCPcampaign Young People Survey and help make change happen.

Survey 👉 bit.ly/YPSurvey26

Easy Read version here👉 bit.ly/YPSurvey26ER

As an official The Big Plastic Count partner, we’ll be counting every piece of plastic packaging we throw away, and using the results to call on the government to do more about the UK’s plastics crisis!

Join The Big Plastic Count The UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into household plastic waste.

Have you signed up to The Big Plastic Count yet?

Join the UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into household plastic waste happening 9-15 March.

We’re not just counting plastic. We’re counting on the government to take action. Sign up today and join the movement tbpc2026.com/DRUK

Disability Rights Handbook - 2026-2027 - Early bird The handbook provides in-depth information and invaluable guidance on the benefits system and social care services. Full of tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim. Your right to benefit...

We offer half-price rates for those on income related benefits 👇 shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/dis...

And if you already have the Handbook and just want an updater on all the new changes over the last year, you can get that here 👇 shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/upd...

Disabled Rights Handbook Edition 51 April 2026 - April 2027 A guide to benefits and services for all Disabled people, their families, carers and advisers Disability Rights UK Logo

📘Pre-order our NEW Disability Rights Handbook NOW!

We have spent over 50 years providing in-depth, comprehensive guidance on the everchanging benefits system - everything you need to make a claim!

Pre-order before Feb 24th to get 5% off 👇
shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/dis...