Notes on the Disability Discrimination Act and Campaigns for Civil Rights

Introduction

Key Event: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) passed in November 1995.
Significance: First law making it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people in work, education, and transport.

Grassroots Movement: Mobilized over 100,000 people despite limited resources.
- Mike: Emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts and spur-of-the-moment demonstrations.
- Roger: Noted that government action was driven by persistent campaigning in the streets and Parliament.
Personal Experiences of Campaigners:
- Adam: Initially found demonstrations scary but felt he had nothing to lose.
- Agnes: Faced risks, including arrest, but also found aspects of fun in the protests.
- Jane: Described the experience as the most exciting moment of her life.
- Rosemary: Felt encouraged by public support during demonstrations.

Mixed Reactions:
- Ian: Acknowledged some rights gained but noted limitations of the DDA.
- Rachel Hurst's Quote: DDA likened to "The trainspotter's charter" – able to stand on the platform but not board the train.
Limitations of the Act:
- Mike: Highlighted unenforceability; many disabled individuals lacked access to the courts or the means to pursue legal action.

Bittersweet Victory: The passing of the DDA was a significant achievement but left many challenges.
- Agnes: Noted improvements for disabled people but acknowledged new challenges in today's world.
- Adam: Stressed the importance of sharing the story of the fight for rights for future generations.
- Jane: Emphasized the need to commemorate the anniversary of the DDA, framing it as a liberation moment, not just a legal victory.