Celebrating Disability Pride? No, me neither (15th July 2025)
It’s Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate disabled voices, challenge stereotypes and push for real change… at least, that is what this month is meant to be about. Against the backdrop of the evolving ‘Welfare Bill’ and cuts to disability support in the form of PIP, Access to Work and an increasing disregard for EDI in workplaces, it’s hard not to be feeling deflated this month.
If you’re looking for a podcast all about disability pride, a few weeks ago, I joined my lovely friend Brooke Millhouse on the Disabled and Proud podcast. We covered everything from my Churchill Fellowship and AI in the workplace to the messy, very real journey of coming to terms with disability.
🎧 Listen to the Disabled and Proud episode.
Here’s one key takeaway… disability is not a monolith. We carry different identities, needs and stories, but we often face shared systems and barriers. As I said during the episode:
“For me, the whole disability pride conversation is a complete self-acceptance and love for who I am as a disabled woman.”
Content creator Sophie Butler put it powerfully in her post, ‘5 things I (genuinely) hate about being disabled’:
“The experience of living as a Disabled person can be entirely life-changing depending on the environment I am in. If I’m in an accessible environment and am treated with dignity and respect, I often don’t even think about my disability.”
This quote is especially timely as we navigate the implications of welfare cuts.
It’s a powerful reminder that access and dignity aren’t luxuries. They’re basic rights. And often, it’s the systems around us that are most disabling.
The Access to Work Fight You Should Be Watching
If you haven’t yet come across it, The Access to Work Collective is a brilliant new community-led initiative set up by Dr. Shani Dhanda and Jacqueline Winstanley FRSA. They’re pushing for the kind of transparency, accountability and reform that the UK’s Access to Work scheme urgently needs.
If you’re in HR, DEI, digital or leadership, this should be on your radar. Disabled employees, freelancers and entrepreneurs are facing delays, cuts and overwhelming admin just to access support they’re entitled to.
It’s quietly pushing people out of jobs.
The Collective’s posts are sparking big conversations on LinkedIn—I highly recommend following along.
📺 Watch Dr. Shani Dhanda’s recent Channel 4 report, where she interviews disabled people directly impacted by the cuts. It’s honest, moving and essential viewing to better understand what’s happening behind the headlines.
Pressing Pause (With Cake, Naturally)
I took a short break this month with a week off to celebrate my 30th birthday!
I talk a lot about burnout and rest, having been there myself, so it was right to take my own advice and give this moment some space (and a little celebration and joy).
Feeling like you could use a breather, too?
This article on redefining success in leadership by Marc Kielburger really hit home.
Or if you’re more in a TEDx mood, The Power of Time Off by Stefan Sagmeister is a gem.
Upcoming Event with Scope. Disability Pride Month – Turning Prejudice into Pride
Wednesday 23 July 2025
6:30–8:00pm (BST)
Online via Zoom | Free to attend
What does Disability Pride really mean? And how do we move from internalised shame to unapologetic pride?
An evening of honest conversation, myth-busting and celebration as disabled speakers share their experiences and insights on identity, culture and self-acceptance.
You’ll hear from:
Tumi Sotire – founder of The Black Dyspraxic and award-winning advocate for intersectionality and neuro-inclusion
Samantha Renke – broadcaster, actor and well-known voice for disability rights
Zahraa Al-Jameel – autistic advocate, law student and content creator
All are welcome. Whether you’re new to Disability Pride or deeply connected to it, this event is a space for learning, reflection and community.
Thanks, as always, for being here. Whether you’re engaging with Disability Pride Month for the first time or have been living this experience for years, I hope you’re finding moments of pride, clarity and care in your corner of the world.
Rachael x