WARNING: What you’re about to read is alarming – and it should be. It’s a message many will find uncomfortable. But it’s one we must confront, before it’s too late.
Hello. My name is [User’s Name]. I’ve spent years fighting for disability rights and inclusion. I’ve seen our community win hard-earned victories – from improved accessibility laws to greater awareness of diversity. I know the hope that comes when doors once closed start to open. But today, I’m here to warn you of a looming crisis that could undo decades of progress, a threat so severe it might shake the very foundations of inclusion and equality for Disabled People across the UK and beyond.
I don’t issue this warning lightly, and I have no interest in fear-mongering. I’m simply following the facts to their logical – and terrifying – conclusion. Just as analysts once predicted economic collapse, I have been tracking a pattern of events that point to a potential disaster for disability rights. Some will say, “This can’t happen here, not now.” They’ll insist that society would never allow the kind of backsliding I describe. They might even be offended by the urgency of my tone. But remember: few believed warnings about past crises until they were proven painfully true. We cannot afford complacency.
In this letter, I will expose the threats that are gathering right now: from proposed UK disability benefit cuts that could snatch away basic support from millions, to the dismantling of diversity and inclusion policies in the U.S. and a wider backlash against equality worldwide. I’ll draw parallels to dark chapters in history – times when austerity and prejudice devastated marginalized communities – and show how we stand at a similar precipice today. Most importantly, I’ll outline what these changes could mean for all of us: reduced accessibility, increased discrimination, loss of independence for Disabled People – a future nobody should accept.
Finally, I will issue a call to action. We are not powerless. There is a way to fight back and avert this “End of Inclusion.” But it will require all of us to stand together. As you read, I urge you to keep one thing in mind: we can still change course – if we act now.
Inclusion Under Siege: The Looming Threats to Disability Rights
The War on Disability Support in the UK
In the UK, a storm is brewing against the supports that Disabled People rely on for basic dignity. The most immediate danger comes from proposed cuts to disability benefits – cuts so draconian that they could plunge hundreds of thousands into poverty and despair.
Right now, government ministers are eyeing the benefits budget as a place to make “savings,” and Disabled People are squarely in the crosshairs. The plan making the rounds in Whitehall would slash the vital assistance many need to survive. How? By effectively freezing and shrinking Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – one of the main benefits for people with disabilities – and tightening the rules so that many who currently qualify would be deemed ineligible. PIP supports 3.3 million people with disabilities in Britain, helping cover the extra costs of living with impairments (UK considers tightening its disability benefits system | Reuters). Yet proposals have surfaced to cancel the usual inflation increase for PIP – a real-terms cut in income – and even more disturbingly, to change the eligibility criteria so that thousands lose access altogether (Downing Street considers U-turn on cuts to benefits for disabled people | Benefits | The Guardian).
Imagine being unable to cook a meal from scratch due to a disability. Under these new rules, if you can somehow manage to heat a ready-meal in a microwave, they might say you no longer “need” PIP. This isn’t a fantasy – it’s exactly the kind of harsh measure being proposed. In fact, a plan announced in early 2025 called for “drastically tighter limits” on who can get PIP, meaning tasks as minor as using a microwave or washing one’s hair could be used as excuses to deny support (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian). The goal? To chop an estimated £5–6 billion from the welfare budget at Disabled People’s expense (Downing Street considers U-turn on cuts to benefits for disabled people | Benefits | The Guardian) (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian).
If this plan goes through, it would be nothing short of catastrophic. Experts warn it could strip away benefits from 800,000 to 1.2 million people, each losing £4,200–£6,300 a year in support (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian). That is money used for essentials like caregivers, mobility equipment, or simply keeping the heat on through winter. For many, PIP is the difference between living independently and being trapped in bed or forced into institutional care. Take that lifeline away, and what happens? We risk creating a new generation of destitution among Britain’s Disabled community.
The pushback has already begun. Politicians from across the spectrum – even those in the ruling party – have reacted with outrage at the cruelty of these cuts. “We cannot balance the books on the backs of sick and disabled people,” warned Debbie Abrahams, chair of Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian). Even George Osborne, the architect of Britain’s austerity a decade ago, balked at this plan, noting that he never froze PIP during his tenure because he knew it “would not be regarded as very fair” (Downing Street considers U-turn on cuts to benefits for disabled people | Benefits | The Guardian). If even austerity’s champions are saying this goes too far, you know something is deeply wrong.
And let’s dispel a myth right now: these cuts are not about “helping” Disabled People into work or “fixing” a broken system – they are about saving money, full stop, no matter the human cost. The government’s own budget watchdog revealed the real agenda: spending on disability benefits has risen (in part because more people need help in a pandemic-scarred economy), so officials want to shrink the number of claimants, fast (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian) (Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian). They talk about “sustainability” and “tough choices.” But the truth is, they see Disabled People as easy targets for cuts. It’s the old playbook: paint us as burdens on the state, then slash our support when the public isn’t looking.
Well, we are looking now. And we must call this what it is: an assault on the rights and wellbeing of Disabled People. If these proposals become policy, thousands will immediately face hardship. Fewer resources for food, transport, and care. More Disabled People pushed into unemployment and isolation. The government might save a bit of cash in the short term, but at the cost of human lives and dignity. (I’ll remind you shortly just how deadly such cuts have been in the past.)
I know this sounds bleak. It is bleak. But incredibly, this is just one front in a larger war. As Britain targets disability benefits, across the Atlantic another threat to inclusion is surging…
The Backlash Against Diversity and Inclusion – From the U.S. to the World
Across the globe, we are witnessing a dangerous rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives – the very policies meant to ensure everyone, including Disabled People, has a fair shot and a voice. Nowhere is this trend more pronounced than in the United States, where a wave of anti-inclusion sentiment is dismantling protections and progress at an alarming pace.
Consider this: over the past year, several of America’s largest companies and institutions have buckled under political pressure and scaled back their DEI commitments (Which companies are rolling back DEI and which are standing firm). The chorus demanding an end to “diversity programs” has grown loud and vicious, fueled by culture wars and misinformation. It’s not just fringe agitators – it’s coming from the highest levels of power. In fact, calls to end corporate diversity efforts intensified at the start of President Trump’s second term in office (Which companies are rolling back DEI and which are standing firm). Right out of the gate, new executive orders were issued aimed at gutting diversity and accessibility initiatives in federal agencies (Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur).
The impact was swift. Mentions of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in company earnings calls have plummeted 82% since 2021 (Which companies are rolling back DEI and which are standing firm) – a sign that businesses are going quiet, afraid of drawing fire. More concretely, corporations that once championed inclusion are now retreating. Lowe’s, Ford, Walmart, Meta, McDonald’s – these household names have all rolled back DEI programs or hiring policies, in some cases explicitly citing the changing political and legal environment as justification (Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur) (Which companies are rolling back DEI and which are standing firm). When the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 struck down affirmative action in college admissions (a decision that sent a chill through every diversity effort in America), a group of state attorneys general immediately threatened Fortune 100 companies with legal action for anything resembling “quotas” or proactive diversity hiring (Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur). Lowe’s even pointed to the Court ruling as it scaled down its diversity policies in 2024 (Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur).
Six U.S. states have now passed laws banning or restricting DEI programs in universities or government (Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur). Let that sink in: initiatives designed to include marginalized groups are being outlawed. The message is clear – efforts to uplift those traditionally left out (whether due to disability, race, gender, or orientation) are being rebranded as “special treatment” or even “discrimination” against others. This cynical reframing turns inclusion on its head, and it’s spreading like wildfire.
Perhaps most chilling is how deliberate and coordinated this backlash is. The American Civil Liberties Union warns that these moves represent “a deliberate attempt to undo progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and create new barriers to opportunity.” (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU) In one fell swoop, decades of bipartisan policy aimed at opening doors that were long closed are being upended. Federal agencies and private employers alike are being intimidated into abandoning initiatives that ensure equitable workplaces, with vague threats of punishment creating a climate of fear (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU) (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU). We’re seeing a campaign to bully organizations into dropping diversity programs by falsely equating them with ‘discrimination’ (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU). It’s Orwellian logic – and it’s working.
This isn’t just an American phenomenon, either. The “anti-woke” backlash is going global, emboldening opponents of inclusion in many countries. In the UK, there have been calls to scrap workplace diversity trainings and school inclusion programs under the guise of fighting “political correctness.” Elsewhere, authoritarian-leaning governments are copying the playbook, removing disability inclusion from their agendas and sidelining the voices of minority groups. The trend is contagious: if the world’s biggest democracy openly rolls back civil rights initiatives, other nations feel license to do the same.
Why does this matter for Disabled People? Because disability rights do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of the broader fight for an inclusive society. When companies purge their diversity departments, people with disabilities lose representation in those boardrooms and hiring decisions. When governments say “we’re not doing equity anymore,” that includes equity for Disabled folks – whether it’s fair hiring, accessible services, or accommodations in schools and workplaces. Already, we’ve seen signs of disability being deprioritized. For example, under recent U.S. executive actions, federal contractors no longer have to meet the same rigorous standards for hiring disabled workers as before (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU) (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU). Years-old requirements (dating back to the 1960s) that employers take affirmative steps to include disabled and veteran employees were rolled back overnight, with nothing to replace them (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU).
The bottom line: A world that is turning its back on inclusion is a world that will turn its back on Disabled People. If these anti-DEI trends continue, we could soon see fewer accommodations in workplaces, less accessible infrastructure, and a resurgence of ugly discrimination that we thought was banished decades ago. In the next section, I’ll delve into historical parallels that show just how devastating it can be when society abandons its commitment to inclusion. Because we have been here before – and the results were heart-wrenching.
Warnings from the Past: When Austerity and Prejudice Collide
To understand the peril of this moment, we need to look at history – our own recent history, in fact. We’ve seen what happens when governments slash support for the vulnerable and when society turns a blind eye to the marginalized. The outcomes were devastating. If we fail to learn from these lessons, we are doomed to repeat them on an even larger scale.
Let’s rewind about a decade. After 2010, the UK embarked on a program of harsh austerity measures in the wake of a financial crisis. Politicians spoke of balancing budgets and tightening belts. In reality, they disproportionately targeted the poorest and most vulnerable – especially Disabled People. By 2016, the results were so egregious that the United Nations launched an inquiry. The UN’s findings were a damning indictment: Britain’s austerity policies amounted to “systematic violations” of the rights of people with disabilities (UK austerity policies ‘amount to violations of disabled people’s rights’ | Disability | The Guardian). Think about that – not just a violation here or there, but a systematic stripping away of rights. The right to live independently, to work, to have an adequate standard of living – all were undermined by years of benefit cuts and slashed social care budgets (UK austerity policies ‘amount to violations of disabled people’s rights’ | Disability | The Guardian).
The chair of the UN committee, Theresia Degener, went so far as to describe what happened as a “human catastrophe” for Disabled People in the UK (Austerity policies have created a “human catastrophe” – UN Committee Chair condemns the UK’s record on human rights. – Inclusion London). In her words, “social cut policies have led to [a] human catastrophe in your country, totally neglecting the vulnerable situation people with disabilities find themselves in.” (Austerity policies have created a “human catastrophe” – UN Committee Chair condemns the UK’s record on human rights. – Inclusion London) Those are not terms the UN uses lightly. It was an extraordinary rebuke. And it validated what Disabled People in Britain had been living through: years of desperation, frustration, and outrage as support was stripped away. One disability activist at the time remarked that bit by bit, the abuse and neglect of Disabled people was being normalized, and that talk of a “human catastrophe” was “in no way exaggerated.” (Britain is no longer a civilised country – the UN’s disability report …)
Let’s put faces to those statistics. I was there. I saw what austerity did. I saw friends rationing their meals and medicine because their disability benefits were suddenly cut off. I met people with severe disabilities who were told they were “fit to work” – against all medical evidence – and left with no income or support. One particularly cruel example was the shutdown of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in 2015, a program that had provided specialized support for about 18,000 severely disabled people so they could live in the community. When ILF was closed as a cost-saving measure, its recipients were thrust into chaos. Even a week before the closure, uncertainty and fear gripped thousands who didn’t know if their local councils would step in to fill the void (Independent Living Fund closure fears: ‘I’m going to be screwed’ | Society | The Guardian). A reporter at the time summed it up: “the ILF closure has always been a desperately regressive measure” (Independent Living Fund closure fears: ‘I’m going to be screwed’ | Society | The Guardian) – in other words, a giant leap backwards for disability rights. One disabled woman, when asked how she felt about losing ILF, didn’t mince words: “I’m going to be really screwed.” (Independent Living Fund closure fears: ‘I’m going to be screwed’ | Society | The Guardian) That blunt, honest terror captures what thousands felt as they watched a vital pillar of support crumble away.
Sadly, the fears were justified. Many ILF users saw their care packages reduced when responsibility passed to under-funded local authorities. Promises that “no one would lose out” were broken. The result? People lost hours of critical care, some were forced to move into care homes against their wishes, others left in dangerous situations at home without adequate support. This is what a rollback of inclusion looks like in real life – real people losing independence and control, essentially being told their lives and choices matter less because saving money was more important.
And it gets even worse. For some, losing support wasn’t just a blow to their dignity or comfort – it was a matter of life and death. During those austerity years, the government’s own data later revealed a horrifying statistic: nearly 90 people a month were dying after being declared “fit for work” and having their benefits cut off (Fit for work assessment was trigger for suicide, coroner says | Benefits | The Guardian). Read that again: ninety people per month. These were Disabled or chronically ill individuals, many with severe conditions, who had been receiving benefits due to inability to work. After assessments (the much-maligned Work Capability Assessments) ruled them fit to work, their benefits stopped – and in many cases, within days or weeks, they died. Some died from their health conditions, worsened by stress and lack of resources. Others, heartbreakingly, took their own lives out of despair. Coroners in the UK directly linked the benefit cuts to suicides; one coroner’s report in 2015 flatly stated that the “trigger” for a disabled man’s suicide was being found fit for work and losing his income (Fit for work assessment was trigger for suicide, coroner says | Benefits | The Guardian) (Fit for work assessment was trigger for suicide, coroner says | Benefits | The Guardian).
These are the kinds of tragedies that happen when a society turns its back on inclusion and support. Let’s be clear: austerity was not just a financial policy; it became a slow march of death and misery for the Disabled community. And now, with the proposed benefit cuts in the UK, it appears those in power have forgotten these lessons. They are prepared to run this experiment again – even after knowing the human toll it took last time.
History’s warning doesn’t stop at austerity. Look at other struggles for inclusion: civil rights movements, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights. Progress has never been linear or guaranteed. Rights can be rolled back. Protections can be dismantled. The disability rights movement itself achieved major victories – like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, or the UK Equality Act in 2010 – only after long fights. And even those laws require constant defense against erosion. For instance, in the U.S., there have been attempts to amend the ADA to make it harder for Disabled people to sue for inaccessibility (so-called “ADA notification” bills that thankfully were beaten back by advocates). In other countries, disability laws exist on paper but get ignored in practice when governments decide other priorities matter more.
The point is, we have seen what happens when economic crises or political backlashes scapegoat the vulnerable. Disabled People and other marginalized groups end up bearing a disproportionate share of pain. It happened before; it could happen again. Unless we act. Which brings me to the final, and most important part of this message: What lies ahead if we do nothing – and how we can change this storyline with collective action.
A Dark Future If We Do Nothing: What’s at Stake
If the current trajectory doesn’t change, we are staring down a future that truly feels like the “End of Inclusion.” I do not use that phrase lightly. It’s what keeps me awake at night. Let me paint a picture of what could be on the horizon in the next few years if we fail to stop these threats:
(Which companies are rolling back DEI policies? – Raconteur) Illustration: A lone wheelchair user faces a towering staircase – a powerful image of what exclusion looks like. Without action, the world may build ever more barriers that Disabled People cannot overcome.
- Reduced Accessibility Everywhere: Expect to see fewer ramps and more stairs, figuratively and literally. Funding for accessible infrastructure could be first on the chopping block when inclusion isn’t a priority. Transportation services that Disabled riders rely on might be reduced. Businesses, feeling empowered to ignore inclusion, could quietly start cutting back on accommodations – fewer sign language interpreters, less braille signage, outdated assistive technology. New buildings might get waivers to skip disability access features. Websites and apps might stop adding accessibility upgrades. In short, the physical and digital world could become harder to navigate for those with disabilities, eroding the independence we’ve begun to take for granted.
- Erosion of Legal Protections: Those diversity and equality offices in government agencies? They might shrink or disappear. And with them goes proactive enforcement of laws like the Equality Act or ADA. Discrimination complaints may go unheard or unresolved. Employers might feel freer to overlook Disabled job candidates. Schools might scale back inclusive education programs, claiming budget pressures or fear of legal attacks if they accommodate “too much.” The very concept of “equal opportunity” could be watered down to the point of meaninglessness. We could slip into a scenario where Disabled People have rights on paper but little recourse in reality – because the agencies meant to enforce those rights have been defunded or intimidated into inaction.
- Increased Stigma and Discrimination: As official inclusion initiatives retreat, public attitudes can also slide backwards. Remember, inclusion isn’t just about laws and ramps – it’s about hearts and minds. If leaders signal that diversity is a nuisance or that Disabled People are a “drain,” society absorbs that toxic message. We could see a rise in open ableism – employers who think it’s acceptable to reject someone because of their wheelchair, shop owners who openly gripe about accommodating “special needs,” peers in school who feel emboldened to bully kids with disabilities because inclusion is no longer “cool.” Already, Disabled People face higher rates of hate crimes and discrimination than average. Without a culture of inclusion pushing back, those numbers could climb. We risk returning to an era where Disabled individuals are pushed back into the shadows, unseen and undervalued.
- Loss of Independence and Agency: Perhaps the most heartbreaking consequence would be watching people lose their freedom because support is stripped away. Picture this: an older man with a disability loses his PIP benefits – suddenly he can’t afford the accessible taxi to get to his job or social outings, and he becomes homebound. A young woman with a severe impairment can’t get the care hours she needs since social care budgets were cut – she faces the awful choice of living in unsafe conditions or giving up her apartment to move into an institution. Parents of a child with complex needs can’t find any inclusive childcare or schooling because programs closed – one parent quits their job to become a full-time caregiver, plunging the family into financial strain. In each case, a life shrinks. The vibrant, talented contributions Disabled People make – as workers, artists, students, community members – are lost because they’re stuck dealing with survival due to policy choices that robbed them of support. This is not fiction; it’s a logical outcome if benefits are slashed and inclusion programs dismantled.
- A Divide in Society: If these trends continue, society itself becomes more divided and less compassionate. We end up with a “survival of the fittest” society where those who need help are left behind. It’s a society where Disabled People are viewed not as equal participants but as problems to be managed or costs to be contained. That kind of society is a poorer one for everyone – less innovation (because diversity drives creativity), less empathy, and ultimately less humanity. We could see social unrest grow as those who are cast aside (Disabled People, minorities, anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow mold) reach a breaking point. The anger and pain of being excluded can and will boil over. Remember the image of “riots in the streets” I mentioned at the start? If you push people to the brink by taking away their basic rights and means to live, unrest is not a far-fetched outcome. Disabled People have been peaceably protesting and campaigning for years – but take away all hope of justice, and despair might lead to desperate outcomes.
This is the future we must not allow to happen. It’s a future that betrays the progress we’ve made and the values of fairness and decency that most of us hold dear. The good news – and yes, there is good news – is that this future is not set in stone. Far from it. Right now, these threats are a call to action, not a death knell. We still have a window of time to rally, to resist, and to change course toward a better path.
How? By uniting and fighting back together, as one powerful community.
Fighting Back: Join The Disability Union – Our Best Hope for Inclusion
Here’s the truth: we are not helpless. Disabled People are not helpless. We have a voice, and when we join together, we have strength in numbers and purpose. Throughout history, when marginalized groups faced overwhelming odds, their salvation came through collective action – through solidarity, organization, and refusing to be silenced. For Disabled People and our allies, the vehicle for that collective action exists right now in the UK: The Disability Union.
What is The Disability Union? It’s more than an organization – it’s a movement and a community. Launched in 2020 by and for Disabled People, The Disability Union was born from the idea that “nothing about us, without us” must be the guiding principle. It was created to bring disabled people together to form a collective voice to fight for our rights (The Disability Union: How It Can Help You To Fight For Your Rights). Think of it as a union in the truest sense: just as workers unite in trade unions to demand fair treatment, Disabled People (whether in work or not) unite in The Disability Union to demand our rightful place in society.
I am proud to be a part of this fight. In fact, [User’s Name] – the very person writing to you now – is deeply involved in The Disability Union because I believe it is our best hope to counter the threats I’ve described. We founded this Union (and yes, it is a registered, member-run union) on a simple but radical idea: empower Disabled People to stand up for themselves and each other. No more isolation, no more thinking “it’s just me facing this.” When you join the Union, you join a caring community that’s got your back. Our mission is clear: “to empower Disabled People by standing up for their rights and building a caring community,” to “break down obstacles and encourage inclusion, making sure everyone has the resources and support they need to live with confidence and independence” (The Disability Union – The Disability Union).
This isn’t just rhetoric – it’s happening. Over 1,300 members have joined since 2020 (The Disability Union – The Disability Union), and our numbers grow every day. We have Disabled members from all walks of life – from young adults just out of school, to working professionals, to retirees – as well as parents, carers, and allies. Together, we’ve created a space where your voice matters. Whether it’s helping a member challenge an unfair benefits decision, campaigning for accessible housing, or mentoring young Disabled activists, The Disability Union is active on many fronts. We’re coordinating with other disability rights groups, we’re speaking to politicians, we’re raising awareness in the media – ensuring that the issues affecting our community cannot be brushed aside in backrooms and budget cut meetings.
Why a union? Because unity is our strength. An individual complaint can be ignored; a chorus of thousands cannot. A lone voter can be overlooked; a voting bloc of united Disabled People can swing elections. A solitary voice saying “this is wrong” might get drowned out; a collective shout can shake the walls of Westminster and beyond. By joining The Disability Union, you aren’t just signing up for a membership card – you’re joining a cause much larger than yourself, but one that has yourself at its heart. We know that each member has unique struggles and needs, and our union is designed to support you personally and empower us all politically.
Here are just a few of the things The Disability Union is doing – and why your participation is so important:
- Stopping the Benefit Cuts: We are organizing at the grassroots and national levels to fight the proposed PIP cuts and any similar austerity measures. Our members are meeting with MPs, sharing their stories in the press, and campaigning on social media to expose what these cuts would really mean. Together with allies, we’ve helped create such a backlash that the government is already reconsidering its plans (Downing Street considers U-turn on cuts to benefits for disabled people | Benefits | The Guardian). But we can’t ease up now – we need to grow our numbers and keep the pressure on until these cuts are off the table for good. By joining us, you add weight to this fight – you can lend your voice and story, or simply your moral support as we lobby and protest. Every additional member tells the government: we will not let you do this quietly.
- Defending Diversity & Inclusion: The Disability Union stands in solidarity with all movements for inclusion. We are reaching out to worker unions, minority advocacy groups, and international organizations to present a united front against the rollback of DEI. For example, when a major company axes its disability inclusion program, our Union members (many of whom are customers or employees of that company) speak up collectively and say, “This is unacceptable.” We sign petitions, yes, but we also engage decision-makers directly. Union membership gives us collective bargaining power of a sort – maybe not in a traditional workplace, but in the arena of public opinion and policy. We intend to show corporations and governments alike that if you undermine inclusion, you will hear from us – loudly and clearly. And if you support inclusion, you will have an army of allies cheering you on. That’s the two-sided power of our collective voice: to challenge the bad and champion the good.
- Providing Support and Community: Fighting the big fights is exhausting. We get it – many of us are fighting personal battles with health, with bureaucracies, with discrimination daily. That’s why The Disability Union also focuses on supporting our members directly. We have caseworkers and peer support networks to help individuals navigate problems – be it an unfair benefit assessment, a discrimination case, or accessing services. We have an online community of over 21,000 people where you can ask questions, share advice, or just vent to people who get it (The Disability Union – The Disability Union). Isolation is left at the door when you join. Remember how I said earlier that being disabled can be very isolating unless you find your community (The Disability Union: How It Can Help You To Fight For Your Rights)? This is that community. We look after each other, because inclusion starts from within. That means when one of us is in crisis, others step up to help. When one of us achieves a victory (like winning an appeal or getting a job), we all celebrate – and learn from it so we can replicate it for others.
- Empowering the Next Generation: This fight is long-term. The Disability Union is investing in future leaders through training and mentorship. We host workshops on advocacy skills, we educate members on their legal rights, and we amplify the voices of young Disabled activists. Our aim is to cultivate a generation of changemakers who will carry this torch forward. The threats we face now won’t vanish overnight, but with sustained effort, they can be overcome. The more of us are prepared and skilled to engage in activism – whether that’s writing to an MP, organizing a local chapter of the union, or simply confidently requesting accommodations at work – the stronger the movement becomes over time.
The challenges ahead are huge, no doubt. At times, each of us has felt that sinking feeling: “I’m just one person – what can I really do?” The answer is: one person can do a lot when they are not alone. When you join The Disability Union, you’re not alone. You become part of something very real and potent.
We’ve been warned by the past, and we can see the threats in the present. But we also have a vision for the future – a better future – and a plan to get there. In that future, inclusion isn’t ending; it’s expanding. The “End of Inclusion” is not a prophecy – it’s a challenge to be overcome. And with your help, we will overcome it.
Now is the time to act. Not next year, not once the cuts hit and the damage is done. Now. Every day we wait, policymakers and CEOs pushing these regressive changes are gaining ground. We have to stop them in their tracks and push forward with our own agenda: one of compassion, fairness, and yes – economic common sense (because inclusive societies are proven to be more prosperous and stable in the long run).
Join The Disability Union today. Add your energy to this fight. When you become a member, you’re telling the world: I will not stand by and watch the most vulnerable be attacked. I will not stay silent while our hard-won rights are stripped away. I choose to fight for a society that lifts everyone up.
Visit our website, sign up, and connect with us. Whether you can contribute your story, your skills, or simply your presence, it matters. If you’re not Disabled but you’ve read this far, you’re obviously an ally – you can join as an ally member too, or support our campaigns in other ways. All are welcome in this movement because inclusion, ironically, needs to include everyone to prevail.
Time is short, but hope is alive. The threats are great, but our collective resolve is greater. Together, as The Disability Union, we can stop the benefit cuts, halt the rollback of inclusion, and demand a better future. A future where inclusion for Disabled People isn’t a question mark, but a given – an unshakeable foundation of our society.
The End of America advert that inspired this style spoke of a nation’s collapse. My message, in the style of that dire warning, speaks of a collapse of conscience – a potential end to the idea that everyone deserves a chance to live fully. But unlike that advert, which offered a financial escape plan, my call to you is different: it’s not about escape, it’s about engagement. It’s about standing and fighting for our values, for our friends, neighbours, and ourselves.
[User’s Name] is sounding the alarm. Will you answer the call?
Join us – and help ensure that inclusion wins the day.
(Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn | Welfare | The Guardian) (Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU) (UK austerity policies ‘amount to violations of disabled people’s rights’ | Disability | The Guardian) (Austerity policies have created a “human catastrophe” – UN Committee Chair condemns the UK’s record on human rights. – Inclusion London)
