Postcard: Mum and Dad have Learning Disabilities, Are We Taking the Dis?, 2005
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Postcard: Mum and Dad have Learning Disabilities, Are We Taking the Dis?, 2005

Mum and Dad have learning disabilities, are we taking the dis campaign, 2005

About 

The Disability Rights Commission ran the ‘Are we taking the dis?’ campaign in 2005 to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled people. The national campaign ran for 6 weeks and cost £1.2million. The Disability Rights Commission website received 535% more hits because of the campaign.  

Image description 

Left side reads “Mum and Dad have learning disabilities. So I'm learning to live with a new mum and dad. 50% of parents with learning disabilities have their children taken into care. With support, many of these families could stay together."

Underneath is a yellow logo that reads “Are we taking the dis?” 

Bottom right text reads “Have your say at disabilitydebate.org” and “Disability Rights Commission”.  

Right side is an image of a blue suitcase filled with a child's clothes and a teddy bear. 

References

IPA | Disability Rights Commission: Are we taking the Dis?

DRC chief attacks lazy attitude over disability - Personnel Today

GMCDP Update, February 2012

GMCDP update February 2012

About

GMCDP Updates were published from 2011-2013 and sent out with Information Bulletins. They aimed to tell members what work was happening in the organisation. 

This update was published in February 2012 by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. 

GMCDP Update February 2012(14pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Update February 2012 (18pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Update February 2012(Easier to Read, 16pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Update February 2012(text only, 14pt Microsoft Word document)

Coalition magazine, Summer 2017, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People

GMCDP Coalition Summer 2017

About

Coalition, the official magazine of the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, aims to act as a forum for debate, analysis, and expression of opinion on all issues relating to disabled people. 

Published by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) in Summer 2017.

Coalition Summer 2017(14pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

Coalition Summer 2017(18pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

Coalition Summer 2017(14pt text only, Microsoft Word)

Birmingham DAN protest, 1995

Colour photo of two police officers hold back disabled protestors at two large glass doors, with people inside the building looking on.

About

The photograph was taken in October 1995 during a two day national action organised by DAN (Disabled People’s Direct Action Network) in Birmingham. The protest was in the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at a trade show for accessible buses. The protest resulted in two DAN activists, Robin Chapman & John Smith, being arrested. John Smith was later charged with Criminal Damage. However, at trial John was found not guilty and the NEC were ordered to pay costs. 

Image Description

Two police officers hold back disabled protestors at two large glass doors, with people inside the building looking on. John Smith is the person in the centre of the image, wearing a multicoloured jacket with his back to the camera.

Activism Past Present and Future Event - Central Library on Wednesday 15 June 4pm - 7pm

The Disabled People's Archive will be at this Festival of Libraries event at Central Library, Manchester on Wednesday 15th June 4-7pm. 

The theme is Activism: Past, Present and Future, so our collection is perfect! 

We will have archive items and videos on display to learn more about the history of disabled people's activism. 

You can find more about the other archives at the event here: Activism Past, Present and Future - Manchester City of Literature.

GMCDP Information Bulletin August 2013, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People

GMCDP Info Bulletin August 2013

About

The Information Bulletin was regularly made by GMCDP at this time. 

Published by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People in August 2013. 

 

GMCDP Info Bulletin August 2013(standard print 14 PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Info Bulletin August 2013(large print 18pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Info Bulletin Aug 2013 (Easier to Read 16pt PDF, screen reader friendly)

GMCDP Info Bulletin August 2013 (text only 14pt Word document)

Manchester Town Hall step free link bridge, late 1980s

Black and white photo of a group of people on the Manchester Town Hall link bridge including two children in wheelchairs at the front. A woman cuts a ribbon across the hallway. 

About

In the late 1980s the Disabled People's Steering Group (made of Disabled People's Organisations active in the City of Manchester) prioritised accessibility to the key civic buildings in the City especially the Town Hall and Central Library. This showed that even listed buildings of architectural significance could be adapted. It also opened up employment opportunities in support of the council's drive to deliver an inclusive, diverse workforce. 

This was an important landmark in the declared intention to make Manchester the most accessible city in the UK.

The photo includes Bernard Leach (chair of Disabled People's Steering Group) and Councillor John Clegg (chair of Equal Opportunities Committee).

 

Image Description

Black and white photo of a group of people on the Manchester Town Hall link bridge including two children in wheelchairs at the front. A woman cuts a ribbon across the hallway. 

 

Postcard: I Earn Less Than My Colleagues, Are We Taking the Dis?, 2005

I earn less, are we taking the dis campaign 2005

About 

The Disability Rights Commission ran the ‘Are we taking the dis?’ campaign in 2005 to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled people. The national campaign ran for 6 weeks and cost £1.2million. The Disability Rights Commission website received 535% more hits because of the campaign.  

Image description 

Left side reads “I earn less than my colleagues just for being deaf. Disabled people earn 10% less, on average, than non-disabled people.” 

Underneath is a yellow logo that reads “Are we taking the dis?” 

Bottom right reads “Have your say at disabilitydebate.org” and “Disability Rights Commission”.  

Right side is an image of a white man with brown hair in a hardware store looking at shelves stacked with wood.  #

 

References

IPA | Disability Rights Commission: Are we taking the Dis?

DRC chief attacks lazy attitude over disability - Personnel Today

Chip on Your Shoulder, Ian Stanton

Music is upbeat acoustic guitar 

 

Chip On Your Shoulder 

by Ian Stanton

Going to the pictures  

to see the late, late show  

You’re told that you’re a fire risk  

so the wheelchair has to go  

You’re in your seat, you turn around,  

you wave your wheels goodbye. 

You don’t need many guesses  

who’s going to be the first to fry? 

But if you try to argue “that’s my legs you’re taking away”, 

You can guarantee there’ll always be somebody there who’ll say … 

 

You’ve got a chip on your shoulder  

Got a really bad attitude  

Is it any wonder  

People treat you the way they do 

You really should be grateful for all we do for you 

and be a quiet little crip without a chip 

 

Waiting on the platform 

To board the 905 

You’re travelling with the livestock 

Please do prove that you’re alive 

You can make friends with the pigeons there 

And keep each other warm 

There is no heating in their cage and it’s brewing up a storm 

No clamps to hold you down 

You feel your body slipping away 

But if you moan, it’s 10 to 1, the guard will come and say... 

 

You’ve got a chip on your shoulder  

Got a really bad attitude  

Is it any wonder  

People treat you the way they do. 

You really should be grateful for all we do for you 

and be a quiet little crip without a chip 

 

I’ve never done a marathon 

I’d sooner drink and smoke 

But what’s your opening question 

“You that tv wheelchair bloke?” 

and “how’d you get like that then? 

Was it some great tragedy?” 

“I was stuntman in Jaws II 

and I really earned me fee...” 

And I sit here and wonder 

what you hear and what you see 

Are you looking at the chair 

or are you listening to me?” 

 

You’ve got a chip on your shoulder  

Got a really bad attitude  

Is it any wonder  

People treat you the way they do. 

You really should be grateful for all we do for you 

and be a quiet little crip without a chip 

 

Oh yeah 

Be a quiet little crip without a chip 

That’s right 

Be a quiet little crip 

Quiet little crip 

Quiet little crip without a chip 

Woah yeah 

Not Dead Yet Protest November 2014

Photo of disabled protestors outside Parliament for Not Dead Yet Protest November 2014.

About

Empty wheelchairs and shoes were placed outside Parliament in November 2014 by disabled protestors led by Not Dead Yet UK. The protestors were opposed to the Assisted Dying Bill which considered legalising assisted suicide. Disabled people fear that legalising assisted suicide puts their lives at risk. 

Image Description

Photo of about 20 protestors outside Parliament, many in wheelchairs. Each protestor holds signs that reads 'Who will be next?'. Empty wheelchairs have signs that read 'I was a burden', 'I was coerced' or 'I cost too much'. There is a pile of empty shoes in front of the protestors with more signs.