Over 300 delegates gathered in Liverpool for this year’s UNISON disabled members’ conference – celebrating the power and unity of a growing community, now more than 210,000 disabled workers strong.
Motions covered topics from dementia and mental health to BSL inclusion, caring responsibilities, and welfare reform.
A highlight was the workshop on hidden disabilities and living with cancer, alongside the motion Hidden Disabilities, Hidden Consequences moved by Stuart Green. He reminded delegates: “We are not all in the same boat – we aren’t even all in the same storm.”
Delegates also took part in the Covid-19 experiences workshop, sharing powerful stories to help inform UNISON’s evidence for the national Covid Inquiry. Further workshops will be held on Tuesday 18 November, 12:00–13:15 – BSL workshop and Tuesday 25 November, 12:00–13:15 – all disabled members workshop.
General secretary Christina McAnea praised members for leading the fight against damaging welfare reforms, and the conference saw the launch of UNISON’s welfare reform survey 2025, capturing the experiences of over 3,000 disabled workers using PIP to stay in work.
Vice president James Anthony shared his own story of becoming disabled, thanking delegates for their continued campaigning, “for all the work you do for our union and your communities on disability rights – thank you.”
The article Celebrating the power and unity of disabled workers first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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