Disability, Intersectionality and Social Movements: A Case Study of the Women's Movement in the UK

Social movements habitually overlook intra-group differences (Crenshaw, 1991), thereby entrenching patterns of marginalisation, and exposing the privilege and bias (both conscious and unconscious) of activists, commentators and scholars. Arguably, the women’s movement, thanks to the work of black feminist scholars and activists, has been at the forefront of advancing an intersectional praxis. Originally used to explore the specific intersections between race and gender, intersectionality has subsequently been ‘stretched’ by gender scholars to include other categories of identity (Krizsan, Skjeie and Squires, 2012): however, whilst the emphasis remains on the ‘big three’ (gender race and class), disability remains marginalised (Erevelles, 2011). Drawing upon critical disability studies, and in particular the work of feminist disability theorists, the paper begins by considering how disability is vital to developing tactical repertoires, enhancing intersectional politics, and strengthening a discourse of resistance. The paper then provides a case study analysis of the extent to which the women’s movement in the UK has engaged with disability and/or disability-related issues. The analysis will focus on large civil society organisations and smaller grassroots groups, as well as the key campaigns and discourse that have dominated recent feminist activism. The paper argues that if we are to truly undertake intersectional analysis of social movements, and indeed to advance intersectional praxis, then disability can no longer be marginalised or considered an ‘add on’.