Self-ID as disabled: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain

By Louise Moores (left), branch secretary, Middlesbrough NEU

AM I disabled? Is that a question you have ever asked yourself? What does it even mean to identify as disabled?

The Disability Act (2010) defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Impairments come in different shapes and sizes but all disabled education professionals have specific protection from discrimination at work.

Having been born with an invisible impairment, I’ve always identified as a disabled member. By meeting with other disabled members, I have become more active in the NEU and met lots of wonderful people. I was worried at first that, as my impairments were not visible, I might be quizzed or looked upon with suspicion as an imposter, but that couldn’t have been further from reality.

We don’t sit in groups playing Disability Top Trumps, trying to see who has the most impairments or faces the most barriers. Through our wonderful disabled network, we can talk and listen to each other’s lived experience and work together to remove barriers for all.

The NEU has adopted a model of self-identification for all disabled members, and identifying as a disabled union member will never be disclosed to your employer by the union. There is no questionnaire or test, just support from fellow disabled members, conferences, CPD and a WhatsApp group. You can be involved as much or as little as you like, but checking your equality details and identifying as a disabled member will allow you to keep up to date with union groups and events that may be of interest. n Visit neu.org.uk/disability

Support from other disabled members has helped me through times when the barriers to living my life have seemed too big to overcome. I would urge everyone who has an impairment to check their equalities information and identify as disabled to the NEU. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.