To celebrate Disability History Month All4Inclusion have been conducting 5-minute interviews with disabled people who are disability campaigners and/or role models. Today's interview is with Maxine Looby, the President of the UCU who is a very effective campaigner.
1. Can I start by asking you to tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Maxine Looby, I am the President of UCU (University College Union) and a passionate Further Education lecturer with an unseen disability. I have a condition called Fibromyalgia. This presents in various ways including: extreme and debilitating exhaustion, chronic pain. unsettled sleep, and what is known as 'Fibro fog' where processing and retaining information is difficult.
Many disabled people do not consider themselves to be disabled; do you think or yourself or describe yourself as disabled?
This is something I always struggle with. Under disability legislation, I am disabled. My difficulty is that I have an unseen disability and knowing that other people with disabilities face far greater challenges than me, can at times feel as if I am claiming spaces that I shouldn't.
You are known as a disability campaigner, what inspired you or motivated you to become a campaigner
As President of UCU, and a committed trade union activist, I have a duty to raise awareness and speak up and speak out for others who may not feel ready or able to do so. I know I have a responsibility to confront the taboos and stigmas, and provide a voice and space.
What do you think are the biggest barriers facing disabled people and preventing them from reaching their full potential and fully participating in society?
The biggest barriers we face are the ableist medical model, a lack of awareness and understanding of the challenges people face in education and the workplace, and the failure on the part of too many employers and institutions to put in place the necessary reasonable adjustments.
Can you give any examples of barriers that you have faced? Did you overcome them? If so, how?
In the past, I have had to fight to get reasonable adjustments in my place in my workplace. Luckily, as a trade unionist, I have a clear understanding of the employers' responsibilities, so I was able to push back and insist the necessary adjustments were put in place, with the support of my union.
Too often people with disabilities face performance management and capability procedures in the workplace because they do not have the necessary adjustments in place. In addition, it can be difficult for people with disabilities to navigate processes and systems without support. Hence the need for reasonable adjustments.
As a disabled person what is the biggest barrier either facing you or disabled people generally that you would like the new Government to take action on?
A lack of understanding as to how disabilities present. How disabilities intersect with other protective characteristics. As a Black woman at the crossroads of intersectionality, the challenges are real and too often create additional barriers.
Government needs to commit to taking action on employers, institutions and businesses that fail to comply with the law, and invest in training and support.
Do you think that the British media and the British public have an open and positive attitude towards disability and disabled people? If not, why not?
Absolutely not. The British media is not at all inclusive or supporting diversity. Too often, negative press stories of people claiming support due to disabilities are often vilified, called lazy, and made to feel less than human.
Have you heard of the ‘Social Model of Disability’ and do you agree with it?
Yes I have. We all have a duty to challenge what are considered to be the accepted norms. The first step is recognising and challenging the unseen barriers that support exclusion and limits abilities.
At the moment the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ is receiving a lot of coverage in the media. What is your opinion of the bill? Do you agree with it? Do you have any concerns? Is a private members bill the best way or the correct way to change the law on such an important issue?
I am pleased that MPs have voted in favour of the bill. People should be allowed to exercise autonomy over their life We still have a long way to go but this is a step in the right direction.
Finally, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Is there anything else you are happy to share about your life experiences as a disabled person?
Navigating spaces, work, education and society's attitudes can be a daily challenge for me like many others. But despite the challenges, we achieve great things and defy society's expectations. I am proud to stand and campaign on behalf of all disabled people.
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