PGP / SPD My story:

When Benefits Become a Weapon Against Disabled People: What disabled people have to put up with online is genuinely exhausting. Today someone commented that anybody receiving benefits should remember “who’s paying for them” and be grateful, and that attitude is exactly the problem. Benefits are not charity handed out personally by random strangers. They are part of a social security system designed to support people through disability, illness, unemployment and hardship, because any one of us could need that support at some point in our lives. Receiving benefits does not mean somebody else owns you, gets to speak down to you or gets to decide how grateful you should be. It also ignores how much disabled people contribute, including through work that is completely unpaid. I spend a huge amount of time advocating, supporting communities, creating resources, raising awareness and helping people navigate difficult systems. Disabled people volunteer, care for others, run support groups, cam...

I Emailed the Prime Minister to Demand Action on Systemic Ableism I emailed our Prime Minister because I can already see disabled people being targeted. Our community deserves to be supported—not blamed, punished or harmed further. Disabled people face entrenched barriers in employment, higher living costs and persistent discrimination, yet public debate too often treats us as the problem. This is what I sent: " Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to urge your government to take meaningful action against systemic ableism and create stronger incentives for employers to recruit, retain and promote disabled people. Disabled people continue to encounter significant barriers to employment, including inaccessible recruitment processes, discrimination, inadequate workplace adjustments and assumptions about our abilities. Even when disabled people secure paid employment, many experience lower pay and fewer opportunities for progression. Disability also brings substantial additional living c...