The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe PDF
Preview The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe
THE WAR ON DISABLED PEOPLE About the author Ellen Clifford is a disabled activist who has worked within the disability sector for over 20 years. She currently serves on the National Steering Group for Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). THE WAR ON DISABLED PEOPLE Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe ELLEN CLIFFORD The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe was first published in 2020 by Zed Books Ltd, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR, UK. www.zedbooks.net Copyright © Ellen Clifford 2020 The right of Ellen Clifford to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Typeset in Bulmer by Swales and Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon Cover design by Alice Marwick Cover photo © Vandervelden/Getty Images Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of Zed Books Ltd. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-78699-890-3 hb ISBN 978-1-78699-664-0 pb ISBN 978-1-78699-665-7 pdf ISBN 978-1-78699-666-4 epub ISBN 978-1-78699-667-1 mobi For Debbie and Linda Contents acknowledgements ix acronyms and abbreviations xi Introduction 1 Part I ‘Hidden in plain sight’: the social context for the war on disabled people 9 1 Who are disabled people? 13 2 Justifiable exclusion: attitudes and othering of disabled people 24 3 From asylums to independent living: disabled people on the edge of society 39 Part II Targeting disabled people: retrogressive legislation and policy since 2010 63 4 Welfare ‘reform’ 69 5 Independent living cuts 110 viii contents Part III ‘Human catastrophe’: the impact of austerity and welfare reform on disabled people 143 6 The human cost 149 7 Re-segregating society 182 8 Political fallout 196 Part IV Understanding the welfare war: why disabled people are under attack 219 9 A story of ideology and incompetence 223 10 Collaborators 251 Part V Fighting back: the rise of resistance 265 11 Forefront of the fightback 269 12 Concluding thoughts: where do we go from here? 296 notes 327 select bibliography 348 index 356 Acknowledgements This book would not have existed had Ken Barlow, then at Zed Books, not first approached me in 2018 to kick-start the project. The biggest thanks must go to him. Thanks also to editor Kim Walker from Zed, who has been remarkably patient and reassur- ing, and to editors Sue Lascelles and Judith Forshaw for their assiduous efforts. A special acknowledgement is needed for my co-thinker, Mark Dunk, for all the debates, discussions and political analysis that helped with the formation of a number of arguments in this book, and to him and Karen Grayson as well as Camilla Royle, Andy Greene, Bob Ellard and Linda Burnip for looking over my drafts. The impact of my impairment has meant that, on my best days, getting each word out required an effort that felt like pushing through a fog of self-doubt – the worst days felt more like having to punch them through a wall. This could not have been done without your belief and encouragement. The book has also ben- efited from valuable discussions with Eileen Short, Nicola Field, Rebecca Yeo, Roger Lewis and Rosa Morris, and input from Roddy Slorach. All errors are my responsibility. A huge debt of thanks to my family, including all six parents, for the support necessary for doing this. I am extremely lucky to have had the opportunity. Also: Polly, Benny, Mark B., Justin, Una, Myla, Avril, Ethan, Anne, Nick, Jacob, Sam, Harry, Jane and, of course, Smudge.
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