Lifting the lid on Disabled People Against Cuts

Abstract

Against the backdrop of severe austerity measures sweeping across Europe, in this article I report upon the resurgence of activism among disabled people in the United Kingdom. My starting point is the creation of a new campaigning group called Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) formed by disabled people with and without a history of engagement within the Disabled People’s Movement, but nevertheless with a firm commitment to its politics. DPAC locates itself within the mainstream anti-cuts movement, and as a consequence faces the challenge of addressing the ideological and practical issues surrounding the re-construction of the ‘disabled’ identity in relation to its allies and government policies. The campaigning undertaken by DPAC is not simply framed by opposition to cuts in welfare benefits and services, it also includes the recognition that the struggle UK disabled people are engaged in is about having control over one’s life and self-determination.

Keywords:

• disability
• identity
• cutbacks
• campaigning
• ideology
• self-determination