Disability & Solidarity Symposium

We bring disability activists together for honest conversations about power, leadership, cultures of care, and solidarity, drawing on the methodology developed by the Symposium on Strength and Solidarity for Human Rights. These meetings create space to reflect on the challenges facing the disability rights field and connect people playing key roles in disability activism. Our aim is to offer a space where participants can engage in candid, protected conversations—free from the presence of donors or external actors—about the direction of the movement and their roles as human rights defenders and disability activists. At the heart of this work is a shared commitment to building stronger, more impactful disability movements and tackling the barriers that stand in the way.

Building new narratives about disability activism and solidarity

We collect and share insights on effective disability activism, with a focus on power, strategy, and solidarity. Collaborating with activists and community organisers—especially in the global South—we produce original content for the Mad Thinking website and other platforms. Our work explores the agendas and identities within disability activism, as well as the limits of institutional advocacy, the professionalisation of activism, and evolving understandings of social justice in disability frameworks.

Fostering connections within the disability movement and beyond

We foster connections between activists, groups, and movements within the disability community and beyond. Ableism and other systems of oppression seek to divide and set us against one another. Within this hostile environment, solidarity-based organising is critical. We believe in moving away from zero-sum, competition-driven approaches and creating spaces where all voices are heard and valued.

Sharing tools, resources, and information

We develop and disseminate concise, accessible resources tailored to the disability community. In addition to building new narratives, we hold sessions focussed on practical and logistical information aimed at orienting newcomers. These sessions address crucial issues such as identity, governance, accountability, funding, and strategy. Our goal is to democratise the disability movement by sharing ‘insider’ knowledge of the disability ecosystem, enhancing informed decision-making and strategic thinking within the movement.