In this article, Tasnim Hassan, a Disabled researcher-activist, talks about the important connection between disability justice and feminist movements. She gives an introduction on how these areas connect and presents a call to action so we can come together to create meaningful change for Disabled women and girls. 

Why is this topic important?  

If the spaces, communities or movements we belong to, claim to be truly committed to genuine change, this must include all of us – no matter our identity, background, or circumstances. This is especially important because, as Audre Lorde said, we don’t live lives defined by just one issue. This journey comes with its challenges and takes time – but we have a responsibility to each other, and through that, we can truly centre solidarity.  

So, what is disability justice?  

Disability Justice is universally based on the principle of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for Disabled people. Most often, this is closely associated with accessibility – for example, the social model of disability puts the attention on and actively addresses these very barriers. This framing is so important because it shifts the focus from individual impairments to barriers themselves, which we can collectively work to dismantle. 

For me, disability justice goes further – it centres care for our bodies and minds – recognising that every part of us matters and to embrace all of who we are by taking in both our challenges and strengths. A really important source of inspiration comes from Sins Invalid, a community-based disability justice arts organisation ran by a collective of people who are Disabled, Black, Indigenous, queer, trans, and non-binary, who developed the 10 Principles of Disability Justice. Some key points are below:  

• Intersectionality (how multiple social identities, such as race, gender, come together and create experiences of discrimination)  

• Leadership of those most impacted (prioritising voices and direction from individuals who directly experience the issue) 

• Commitment to cross-movement organising (working collaboratively with a range of social movements) 

• Commitment to cross-disability solidarity (unity and support across the entire disabled community)  

• Sustainability (working in a way that is long-term and preventing burn out) 

How do disability and gender overlap in everyday life? 

There are certain barriers and opportunities that come together based on this crossover of multiple aspects of our identities. Based on how these things overlap and intersect with each other is called intersectionality (a term introduced by legal scholar, Kimberlé Crenshaw) which looks at how these things shape our experience in terms of whether we either benefit (privilege) or face unfair treatment (oppression). Here are some examples illustrating intersectionality, focusing on Disabled women: 

• Disabled women experience a larger gender pay gap compared to non-disabled women and are more likely to be underemployed or not working. (Research from Close the Gap & TUC).  

• Nearly half (45%) of Disabled women face accessibility issues while travelling, compared to 35% of Disabled men (Research from Sustrans).  

• Disabled women are nearly three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled women, with rates particularly high among young disabled people (Research from Women’s Aid, Community Care, & Office for National Statistics).  

The goal is not to ‘add up’ parts of identity but instead to understand how they intersect. Overlapping factors create unique challenges that would not be clear if viewed separately, as women’s experiences are shaped by both gender and other aspects of their identities. 

Intersectional disability justice and the women’s movement 

One of the principles mentioned earlier is ‘cross-movement organising’ (working collaboratively with a range of social movements), and within this, we must consider how to better incorporate intersectional disability justice into the feminist movement. By doing so, we can better address the diverse needs and challenges of Disabled women, ensuring that all women are fully recognised, included, and empowered across social justice movements. These questions below aim to encourage deeper reflection and spark important conversations, pushing us to think about how we can make our efforts stronger and more inclusive: 

• How can we create leadership structures that value the contributions of Disabled women, taking into account their diverse experiences and needs? 

• How can the feminist movement go beyond just meeting basic access needs to create truly inclusive spaces where Disabled women can fully participate? 

• How can the feminist movement actively promote cross-disability solidarity, ensuring that all Disabled women, regardless of their specific disabilities, are united?  

• How can we hold ourselves accountable as a movement to make sure we are always improving and becoming more inclusive and intersectional in our practices? 

When we stand united, our collective strength drives meaningful change. 

Helpful resources and links:  

• Alliance of Inclusive Education’s Disabled Black Lives Matter Group 

• Sisters of Frida, a Disabled women’s organisation  

• Sins Invalid on 10 Principles of Disability Justice 

• Inclusion Scotland on the Social Model of Disability 

• Kimberlé Crenshaw on Intersectionality, More than Two Decades Later 

• What’s the difference between Capital D Disabled and lowercase d disabled?