Why We Have Disabled History Month

Disabled people have existed since the dawn of time. 

Yet, if you look back through history books, where is the documented evidence? An entire chapter of a still marginalised community has been erased, overlooking our struggles and neglecting to represent us in the mainstream.

That attitude continues today, where society has yet to change their stance in recognising our existence and the struggles we uniquely face.

I am of the belief that we cannot imagine where we can go, without first recognising the significance of what came before us. We must look to those that have fought for our hard-earned rights, remembering those that lost their lives in the process of striving for a sense of equality that we have yet to reach in modern day society.

We may have come so far – but we still have so far to go.

Early Origins of Disabled Representation

In Medieval England, disabled people were just as much a part of everyday life as they are today. Attitudes towards them were typically mixed and influenced by religion – some considered their disability to be a ‘punishment for sin,’ whereas others believed they were ‘suffering purgatory on Earth, and would get to heaven sooner’ (1). Despite this, there was no assistance from the state.

Much of the care for disabled people stemmed from the Church’s teachings. A sense of isolation was first born from the creation of ‘specialised hospitals for leprosy, blindness and physical disability’, typically near (or on) religious grounds. This was actually the first example of specialised care for disabled people, yet I would argue that we’ve not come far enough from the origins in the 1200’s.

Divorced, Beheaded… disabled?

Despite everything else that Henry VIII was up to, he also ordered the dissolution of these monasteries – which meant that the systems in place for the disabled community were also eradicated. Turned out on the streets to suffer, the community became reliant on the hopes that others would care for them as it was seen ‘their civic duty.’ The wealthy would invest in hospitals, but it was notably done to ‘enhance their reputation’ as opposed to the religious belief of ‘saving their souls.’ (2)

In time, as London began to rebuild, social attitudes started to change. The earliest legislation was known as the Poor Law in 1531, attempting to ‘define English society’s obligations to the sick or disabled.’

Industrial Revolution – but is it accessible?

The 19th century saw a huge increase in buildings designed for the disabled community. Just outside of many cities, there was an emergence of ‘asylums’ that while many marvelled at, few wanted to live nearby.

Following the 1893 Poor Law act, over 350 workhouses were ordered to be built. Earlier versions had a more ‘humane design’ – these new editions were intended to be ‘miserable places to live.’ Any able-bodied citizen would avoid it, if possible, which meant the disabled and mentally ill were often moved into them instead.

By the beginning of the 1900’s, it was thought that over 100,000 proclaimed ‘lunatics’ resided in over 120 pauper asylums, with a further 10,000 in workhouses. (3) Society’s attitude had become that ‘giving financial relief… would encourage laziness.’ There was no consideration for the impact this would then have on the disabled and mentally ill (sound familiar?) 

World War’s Role in the Disabled Fight

Attitudes were forced change somewhat following the end of the First World War, bringing forth with it over 2 million newly disabled British Service Men.

Adaptations were made, including ‘major advances in plastic surgery and prosthetics’ as well as ‘new housing built for disabled ex-servicemen.’ But that was not to say that all disabled civilians benefitted. ‘Colonies’ were developed; self-contained, small worlds in which the disabled community was shut off from the rest of the world and heavily segregated. (5)

When the Second World War began, a recruitment drive was launched directed at those who had been considered unfit for work – it was safe to say that life was about to change for people with disabilities (…again).

Our ancestor’s contribution

The development of Disability Employment Act of 1944 and the newly introduced National Health Service’s designated services were just part of the landmark movement in Disabled Rights. The community campaigned charities throughout the 40’s and 50’s (5), challenging poor access and discrimination, culminating in the eventual passing of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995.

And finally – thoughts, from a modern-day disabled woman

Landmark legislation only came into play 4 years before I was born. It wasn’t until the 80’s that the era of asylum ended, revealing the scandals of neglect and abuse before those held in long-term hospitals were able to join mainstream society again.

Despite the centuries we’ve just revisited, it feels like all too many people’s attitudes haven’t shifted much since medieval England. More to the point – considering the fact that disabled people have always existed, why is so much of the world inaccessible?

That is why we need history months and awareness initiatives. Because we are not only fighting for our own sake but carry with us the battles of those that have been oppressed and ignored for too long. We are continuing the path they foraged, in the hopes that in a few hundred years’ time, the next generation’s progress will bring us that much closer to actual equality.

Sources:
1) Disability in the medieval period 1050-1485 | Historic England
2) Disability from 1485-1660 | Historic England
3) Disability in the 19th century | Historic England
4) Disability in the Early 20th century 1914-1945 | Historic England
5) Disability Since 1945 | Historic England