ABSTRACT
In this book, we did not give a definition of what disability activism is, but rather preferred to see how it developed and was illustrated. People have documented stories of reclamation of spaces, mobilities, bodies, sexualities, genders, technologies, research, education, employment, policy and even time in the work of activism. We have noted how there is an embodied labour (physical, sensory and emotional) that is required to advocate for oneself and others, and that is not without serious risks of the embodiment of disability and reality of gaining more impairment, ill-health and injury as a result of engaging in activism. During the development of this book, people often prioritised their ongoing work of activism and we noted that it still consists of routines of writing of e-mails, letters, calling people, gaining funding and building real and virtual networks. It also included discussions of the nature of tactics that should be used to illustrate the impact of austerity, educate on disability rights, ensure research impact or protest policies of a populist government. The new activism, in terms of technology, has generally been viewed positively in terms of work of activism and potentials of advocacy being realised, but misgivings about its wider social impact on disability futures remain.
