{"id":38878,"date":"2023-11-14T12:14:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T12:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?p=38878"},"modified":"2024-12-16T17:04:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T17:04:53","slug":"how-to-campaign-for-disability-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/how-to-campaign-for-disability-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"How to campaign for disability rights: what I’ve learned on my journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lauren Gilbert is a tireless campaigner, both online (follow them here<\/a>) and off. They won Influencer of the Year at the Sense Awards 2022 for their work using social media to raise awareness and advocate for disability rights. This year, they’re back as a judge for the Sense Awards 2023<\/a>, including categories like Campaigner of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the build-up to the awards ceremony, where we’ll find out which shortlisted campaigners and influencers will take this year’s trophies, Lauren has shared their top tips for campaigning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lauren<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the past two years, I\u2019ve been campaigning for disability rights in various ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve fought for the rights of disabled students as Disability Officer at Newcastle University Students\u2019 Union. I\u2019ve advocated for better health outcomes for disabled young people as a member of the NHS Youth Forum. Plus, I\u2019ve been using social media (find me as @LozzaGilbert) to create resources and blog about my experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From spreading awareness online, to delivering talks and panel discussions in person, I\u2019ve learnt a lot about how to effectively campaign for disability rights and what makes a good advocate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few top tips I\u2019ve learned along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take time to process your own experiences before advocating for others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the start of the pandemic, we\u2019ve seen an increasing number of people becoming newly disabled with Long Covid and other conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a newly disabled person, you might be so full of passion and anger that you want to jump into advocacy straight away. But it\u2019s also wise to take your time \u2013 acceptance and adjusting to your disability takes time! Sit with your emotions, find your community and learn all about the history of disability rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not only about self-care, but also about not doing harm. It\u2019s important to learn about the disabled community that has come before you, and the campaign efforts that are already happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also about unpacking your internalised ableism<\/a> before you take on advocacy work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t underestimate the power of online activism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Lauren<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In-person organising isn\u2019t accessible to everyone, and that\u2019s okay! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information is more readily available now than it ever has been, and as social media has become more widespread, online activism has too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media can be a very powerful and accessible tool for sharing news updates, spreading awareness, sharing resources and organising in-person action. X (previously Twitter) can be very useful for keeping up to date on current disability news and campaign work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can recommend following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n