Bringing disabled women together, mobilising
and sharing through lived experiences

Disability History Month

Disability History Month in the UK takes place from the 20th November to the 20th December. At Sisters of Frida, we look at the experiences of disabled women and gender diverse people, as our stories are usually overlooked in disability spaces, or feminist spaces.

We discuss topics people don’t always acknowledge: isolation, relationships, sexuality, and our safety as disabled women. There’s also the emotional and practical labour we do, as many disabled women are also mothers and/or carers.

This Disability History Month, we’re celebrating the solidarity of disabled women and gender diverse people. We hope that more people pay attention to understand the issues we face, and support the work that we’re doing. 

As the year draws to a close, we want to celebrate the stories and creativity of disabled women and gender diverse people. Wishing you warmth, connection, and solidarity, from Sisters of Frida. 

Welcoming our new Co-Director, Svetlana Kotova

We’re excited to announce our new Co-Director, Svetlana Kotova. A founding member of Sisters of Frida, Svetlana is a Disabled lawyer who has spent many years fighting for the rights of Disabled people. She has worked in a range of advice and policy roles, supporting Disabled people to advocate for their rights locally and internationally. Svetlana is passionate about ensuring Disabled people have equal rights and can use the law effectively to challenge discrimination and social injustice. She is also a coach and looks forward to supporting others in that role.

A tribute to Alice Wong

© John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation – used with permission

Alice Wong a pioneering writer and disability rights activist, passed away on Friday, 14th November, in San Francisco. 

Wong became a powerful voice for disability justice, challenging systemic ableism through her writing, activism, and the Disability Visibility Project. Known for her sharp humour, she authored Year of the Tiger and edited collections such as Disability Visibility, earning a MacArthur “genius grant” in 2024. 

In the days after her passing, a statement she had written for social media resonated widely, celebrating friendship, community, and storytelling while sharing her journey toward self-acceptance and calling for more stories from disabled people. 

In her own words, “I’m honoured to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” Her legacy of advocacy, courage, and wit will endure.

Why Changing Places are important for disabled people

The more we research into accessible venues, the more we realise how important it is to have Changing Places toilets in order to be inclusive.

For those who do not know what Changing Places toilets are, they are toilets with extra space and equipment such as hoists and an adult changing table for people who has less mobility and need extra help to access facilities. Standard size ‘accessible ‘ toilets are too small to accommodate helpers and do not have the equipment.

Equipment found in Changing Places includes:

• A height adjustable adult-sized changing bench
• A tracking hoist system, or mobile hoist 

What makes Changing Places Accessible?

• Enough space for a disabled person and two carers
• A centrally places toilet with room both sides for a wheelchair to maneuver
• A privacy screen or curtain
• A wide tear-off paper roll to cover the adult changing bench
• A large waste bin provided
• Non-slip flooring

Without Changing Places toilets, many disabled people are restricted in being able to travel, attend events or work. When it comes to disabled people who menstruate, there is that added urgency.

At Sisters of Frida, we try to locate venues that has Changing Places toilets or have them nearby. We also need to ascertain that they are well maintained and functional.

Why we need Changing Places toilets | Disability Unit

City Bridge Foundation grant for Sisters of Frida

We are delighted to share that the City Bridge Foundation has awarded Sisters of Frida a significant grant over two years through its Bridging Divides Programme. This generous support represents an important milestone for our organisation and will play a crucial role in advancing justice for disabled women and gender diverse people in London. The funding will strengthen community-based knowledge, enhance cross-sector collaboration, and ensure full participation and access support for all our members and wider contributors. It will also provide vital resources for consultancy work and the development of a pilot research project.

The Women’s Resource Centre will act as our host organisation on behalf of Sisters of Frida throughout this period. In addition, this grant enables us to expand our team. We are delighted to welcome Anahita Harding as our communications, outreach, and relationship management officer and Niku Gupta as our new administrator. They will be working on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be contacted at admin@sisofrida.org and comms@sisofrida.org respectively.

We are deeply grateful for this invaluable support and look forward to the opportunities it will create for strengthening our work and amplifying the voices of disabled women and gender diverse people across London.

Are You Comfortable Yet? Disability Arts Online zine review

Eleanor Lisney awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Eleanor Lisney. Photo taken from University of Greenwich

We are delighted to announce that our director, Eleanor Lisney, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Art by the University of Greenwich in recognition of her outstanding contribution to disability rights and culture. A globally respected campaigner and writer, Eleanor co-founded Culture Access and Sisters of Frida, has influenced national legislation, and has represented disabled communities on international platforms, including at the European Parliament.

Since 2018, she has played a pivotal role at Greenwich, pioneering the first Disability Culture Festival, contributing significant research, and leading a UKRI-funded project at the University centred on disabled people’s lived experiences. Her dedication to disability rights, her insistence on an intersectional framework, and her commitment to amplifying marginalised voices continue to inspire.

Disabled, Queer, and Broody

We’re grateful for this piece from our anonymous contributor. Thank you for your continued support:

Anon

“I don’t want kids. I can’t afford kids. I don’t have enough energy to take care of me, sometimes. I wouldn’t be a good parent. And I really don’t want to be pregnant, ever. 

And yet, I got broody. Again. Every time I’m in a good relationship, I start to want to cuddle stuff, and start crying when I see anything I find adorable that I can’t cuddle if my hormones are a bit higher than average. Fluffy animals are a particularly high cry risk. 

“Get cats!” or “Get IVF!” are what some of my friends have suggested. These options are both unaffordable in money and spoons. 

I know there are more options, like being a step-parent, or fostering, or adoption. I know many disabled people make it work, but I don’t think I could do it; I wouldn’t be able to be the kind of 24/7 or consistent pattern parent that I would want to be. 

I could be great as an only sometimes, but I don’t have siblings who need a niblet-sitter. 

But I have energy that’s going to find somewhere to go, and my younger PAs are already getting smothered.

Trying to think what I realistically want is tricky. Anything I write sounds like a cheesy advert from the 90s:

Do you need encouragement to do something scary? Having a bad day? Got something to celebrate? Perfect, I will lean my head on your head and say supportive things, if you put your head on my shoulder. I can also make comforting noises and pasta! If you’re a grown human who needs some extra warm vibes just occasionally; this Disabled, Queer, and Broody might be for you! T-rex arms and positioning hairband included! 

If I had the money, I’d build a queer-safe flat block for adults who need to get away or have been kicked out of their previous home. 

Everyone has their own space and everything they need to live, but also knows that there is a friendly person just down the hall who has made extra potatoes, and will tell you that your new shoes look great, and ask how you’re doing and mean it! You need to know how to plait your hair or mend something?: just ask! Your home comes with a Disabled, Queer, and Broody neighbour! (Spoon levels not guaranteed). 

At the moment, I have houseplants. They’re not very cuddly – particularly the cactus – but they’re well-fed, well-watered, and having babies of their own. 

Plants included!

I haven’t found the solution. I don’t know what realistically that might be. There might not be one. 

But right now, I think a lot of disabled people and a lot of queer people need some hugs, so just yell if that’s you and either I or someone else who feels like this will appear in a cloud of glitter and carbs.”

Thanks.

OpenOut

Photo courtesy of OpenOut.

A warm and merry Christmas from OpenOut (formerly Open Barbers) Hair. Many of us have been welcomed into their salon over the years, and they’ve generously offered home haircuts for disabled people when needed. E-cards can be bought in store, and merchandise from their online shop. All proceeds go toward helping low-income clients access affordable haircuts

It’s been sometime since we have had meetings – since the lockdown but as disabled people, we are still not confident about having face to face meetings and travelling on public transport.

At Sisters of Frida we decided to have a zoom meeting on Saturday 25th September at noon. It will be an event with a stimulating roundtable discussion with our international disabled sisters from around the world and then breakout sessions among you to discuss where you think SOF should be heading.

You can join using this Zoom link

Speakers

From the Sisters of Frida team

Agenda for the event

12:00 (noon) Start with introduction to Sisters of Frida and speakers

12:05 Roundtable with guest speakers

12:25 Discussion and questions for panel

12:35 Questions from participants

12:40 Conclusions and thank you to guest speakers

12:45 Break (15 minutes)

13:00 Breakout rooms

Questions

• What struck you about the roundtable discussion?
• How does this connect with your involvement (current or future) with Sisters of Frida?

13:45 Comfort break (15 minutes)

14:00 Feedback and what next?

14:30 End

BSL interpreters from Signalise and live captioning will be available.

Music in the interval from Miss Jacqui with thanks for permission.

Thank you to Campaign Bootcamp who generously provided funding that allowed us to make this event accessible.

Useful information

Sisters of Frida wants you to get involved! SoF has been working to build our capacity by working to make our processes more transparent and  to help streamlined so build up disabled women’s voices in all our magnificence. In order to do this we need to expand our steering group. Would you like to help steer the direction of Sisters of Frida? You will meet new people, learn and share new skill. If so, please send an email to  sisofrida@gmail.com and we will send you more information. 

The steering group is not the only way you can get involved. You can now join working groups and work on specific projects. If you are interested please get in touch at sisofrida@gmail.com

 On the last week of February, two Sisters of Frida, Rachel O’ Brien and Eleanor Lisney joined other women NGOs for the review of UK government on CEDAW – The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women,  often referred to as the ‘women’s bill of rights’, and it spells out women’s right to equality and non-discrimination. They were funded by the EHRC to attend the examination.

They met with Ana Peláez Narváez, the only disabled woman on the committee and they spoke on the needs of disabled women and the importance of CEDAW.

Before the event, Eleanor was in the core group steering group in the shadow report prepared by the Women Resource Centre for England (see the shadow reports). We also did our own Shadow Report supported by Women Enabled International and met with Amanda McRae while they were in Geneva.

Here is a podcast by Eleanor about the CEDAW review and the transcript 

Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Advance unedited version

CEDAW 2019 – concluding recomendations with references to disabled women

Government is failing on disabled women’s rights, UN is told report from Disability New Service

Ana Peláez Narváez meeting with Rachel and Eleanor from SOF, Janet Veitch, Viv Hayes from WRC and Amanda McRae from Women Enabled International.

Rachel and Eleanor with other delegates from Women NGOs

Rachel speaking to the CEDAW committee

Some Sisters of Frida went to ENIL 2017 Freedom Drive,  which brought together 300 Independent Living activists from 19 countries in Brussels.

It brought an an end to a week of promoting independent living, peer support, protest and celebration of disability rights. The Freedom Drive has brought together around 300 independent living activists from 19 countries, from as far East as Albania, to Norway in the North.

Among the main Freedom Drive demands were the end to institutionalisation of disabled people across Europe, access to personal assistance in all countries, full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the end to cuts to support services and benefits for disabled people.

Lani Parker and Michelle Daley said:

 

We also met some MEPs, Anthea McIntyre MEP, Keith Taylor MEP, Molly Scott-Cato MEP, Wajid Khan MEP, and Daniel Dalton MEP, among others to ask them questions on independent living, accessibility, inclusive education, disability rights after Brexit, freedom of labour as part of the EU among other issues.

​

The night before the march we met up with other British attendees for dinner, including Sarah Rennie (Sisters of Frida, Steering Group member) , who had to leave before the march.

We were outside the European Parliament the next day to join the other ENIL Freedom marchers on the streets of Brussels.

Thank you all for all who came with us. Thank you for ENIL to organising this and we wish Zara Todd, as incoming director, the best for the future.

More photos at Sisters of Frida Flickr account.

Sisters of Frida would like to give huge congratulations to Zara Todd for her new post as the incoming director of ENIL.

She will be taking over from Jamie Bolling, who has been a great supporter of Sisters of Frida. We give her our best wishes for her next plans and some of us hope to see her at this years Freedom Dive in Brussels.

We’re happy that Zara will continue as one of the Sisters of Frida’s directors.

 

 

 

Main talks programme panel “Intersectionality for Beginners” at Women of the World Festival 2017, in London South Bank. This panel featurered a keynote from Lydia X. Z. Brown and panel of Guppi Bola, Kuchenga Shenje, Emma Dabiri, and Eleanor Lisney (from Sisters of Frida) chaired by Hannah Azieb Poole. Transcripts kindly provided by Lydia)

This was the prepared speech by Eleanor Lisney  for the panel (but not read out)

When I came back to the UK to take up the position of relationship manager at a university, people told me I ticked many brownie points. I learn to realise they meant I had many disadvantages , because I was a woman, of an ethnic minority, and disabled. Some said it must be an advantage in applying for jobs but believe me, it isn’t . This is before I even heard of the term ‘ intersectionality’, the multiple oppression that arise out of having multiple identities,  and understand the impact it had on my life and that of others.

In January, I was invited to speak as a Sister of Frida at a hearing at the European Parliament on domestic violence and disabled people, and I used a personal example when mentioning intersectionality. When I was living in France I went through a divorce process, the court saw me as a non white, disabled woman with a bad grasp of the French language. My ex, a white British man, is an international  civil servant, had many human rights’ lawyers as his friends. I did not even know French divorce laws were different from those in the UK.

I think it was partly from that experience I co founded Sisters of Frida – understanding the complexity of having multiple identities- and also it’s in  Article 6 of the Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities.

States Parties recognize that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination, and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The UK has ratified the CRPD and In fact, quite a few of disabled activists are heading for Geneva because of the examination of the uk govt for its implementation. I wanted to go but it conflicted with the international women’s day events and me here at WOW.  Disability and feminism. Women organisations do not know much about disability and disabled people’s organisations are gender neutral, we hope to build bridges there and make a change. Just insisting on our rights to be heard and to make spaces more inclusive and accessible are challenges. I hope we have made some difference. If I make a mention here, one Sister of Frida, is Rebecca Bunce who is a co founder of IChange has campaigned tirelessly for the Istanbul Convention and spoken on the need for access at public spaces for disabled women.

The disability movement is very white here and we would like to promote and make black and ethnic minority women more visible. It’s a natural reaction that you don’t join when you can’t identify with the people in it. And to show that they are not just engaged in being there as recipients but also in leadership roles.  We have had discussions on disability and the  cultural differences on the impact of disability. Many BME women come and share with me about their disabilities but they do not self identify (unless it’s a physical visible impairment ) as disabled people  because of the negative perspectives, stigma and non representation. But I know this goes for other communities not just  for Black and women of colour .

And in the UK austerity measures by this government have meant that the intersections of being BME and disabled and women mean that many of us are reeling from the compounding cuts in benefits and services. In all areas of our lives.

My friend and fellow Co founder of SoF, Michelle Daley, has spoken on the importance of intersectionality and the social services on Wednesday, she speaks as a black disabled woman

I quote her:

“I am a woman, a black woman and a disabled woman. In most areas of my life I’m forced to compartmentalised my different intersections…. I relate this point from one of my assessments of need. So when I explained that I needed help with skin care, which is not related to my impairment, it was dismissed. The assessor had no knowledge about skin sensitive and dryness often experienced by Black People and the need for daily skin care to prevent discomfort. In this example it demonstrated how my different intersections as a Black Disabled Woman were not considered and how they interact with each other. ”

She is chairing the SoF panel at 1.15 this afternoon. I recommend you go listen to her and my other Sisters at that panel.  Thank you.

 

Why does much of the women’s rights movement marginalise disabled women?

During the last weekend in London at the Women of the World Festival (WOW) a panel of speakers discussed why disability is so often left out of conversations about intersectionality, and surveyed the key battlegrounds that disabled women are fighting on.

Other photos from the Women of the World Festival with SoF and disabled women at Flickr   

We collaborated on ‘Disabled women missing from history’ these were exhibited at the cafe of the Royal Festival Hall

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Here we are featuring some of the blogs/websites by Sisters of Frida

Michelle Daley’s website

Hello! I’m Michelle Daley and I’m a proud black disabled woman. I was born and raised in the East End of London to Jamaican parents that moved to England in the 1950’s. I have worked in the disability field for over 15 years on international, national and local issues for public sector and voluntary organisations. I am privileged that through my work I am able to express myself and support others to do the same.

Here’s where you can find out more about my career background.

Why follow me?

Through endless surfing it is clear that there is a lack of representation by British black disabled people in archives and on-line particularly from British black disabled women. I want to share resources including some of my own works, post blogs and for you to share your own experiences.

Kirsty Liddiard’s website

I am currently a Research Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Sheffield. Prior to this post, I became the inaugural Ethel Louise Armstrong Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.

I’m a disabled feminist and public sociologist who believes in the power and politics of co-production and arts methodologies. To me, research is inherently political, personal, and embodied, and collaborative and always community-focused. This website details my scholarly and research interests, as well as my activist work. Please feel free to have a look around, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

 

Zara Todd’s adventure blog

I am a human rights activist from the UK. I have a background in disability, training and youth participation work. I identify as a disabled person and Feminist. I belive in equity and using intersectional and inclusive approaches.

This blog is primarily to document my Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship

A bit more about me

I am a born and bred Londoner who loves art, culture, travel and politics (although i am a left leaning non partisan).

I have a degree in psychology and a masters in Eastern European studies. I am interested in identity and decision making.

I have been involved in disability rights campaigning since childhood and have been active locally, nationally and internationally in the disabled peoples movement since the age of 17. Over the last 10 years I have worked in government and the NGO sector both in advisory and delivery roles.

Prior to this trip I was working for the biggest DPO in the UK Equal Lives .

I am a trustee of a children’s literature charity outside in world and a board member of ENIL and chair of it’s youth network.
I am also a director of Sisters of Frida, a disabled women’s collective.

Eleanor Thoe Lisney’s website

Hi, I am Eleanor Thoe Lisney MA, MSIS, FRSA, AMBCS. I am passionate about access, human rights, disability culture, intersections of race, gender, disability. I am learning how to do digital strategy and smartphone film making. Recently I have become an emerging artist and making progress there.

I am a founding member and coordinator of Sisters of Frida,  a disabled women’s collective and Culture Access.

 

Sophie Partridge’s website

I work as an actor, writer & workshop artist, if you are interested in employing me for any such work, I would love to hear from you.

I am a disabled Actor living in London, who trained with Graeae Theatre Co. I have worked extensively since, including my performance as Coral in the award winning Graeae play Peeling.

Other stage performance includes work with the David Glass Ensemble, TIE in Nottingham, Theatre Resource in Essex and Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh. My Media work also includes photo modelling, corporate video and radio.

I also Write and regularly contributor to various print & on-line publications, including Able Magazine (column writer for 2 years) and Disability Arts on-line (blog & reviews). This, along-side writing my solo piece, Song of Semmersuaq. I’m also embarking on a new project.. so read this place!

Please read my resumés for more details of my work.

Lani Parker’s Sideway Times The Podcast

Sideways Times is a UK based podcast, in which we talk about the politics of disability and disability justice. Through this podcast I hope to have many conversations which broaden, deepen and challenge our understandings of how we work against ableism and how this connects to other struggles.

Sisters of Frida was invited to give a workshop at the Plan UK #Standupforgirls Youth Action Fest last Saturday following the success of last year’s event. We were lucky that Fleur Perry agreed to help us run a workshop on Inclusive Campaigning.

Eleanor and Fleur had about 10 participants – we discussed access and showed a couple of videos and quite a few discussions. Participants were incensed to hear of Fleur’s difficulties to get to the event because her issues with wheelchair spaces on the train. We discussed disability itself and what it is – it was good to hear their perceptions and solutions towards more awareness. It was clear that they enjoyed Fleurs’s delivery and that she enjoyed it too.

Last night one of my new colleagues expressed surprise on  mention of my children – she said she had no idea I had children. She did not mean it to be malicious but the fact I have children prove surprising to most folks. I think, to be brutally honest, most people do not expect disabled people to be sexual beings let alone have offspring.

And for disabled women it is doubly problematic. Consider the stereotype of being a woman –as a caregiver, as a sex object, mother, housekeeper – you get the picture? Many of those roles are not seen to be within the capacity of disabled women. All the media, films of disability and sexuality are from the perspective of disabled men where they have their needs fulfilled by non-disabled women. Examples, Me Before You (even if he did not think it was enough to keep him living), The Sessions, there not many based on the needs of disabled women (excluding Children of a Lesser God).

There is not much space afforded to disabled women on sexuality and how to factor in disability in the search for companionship, romance, relationships and sex. The narratives are missing. I was made aware how much so when I joined the group of women who went to the first workshop (there are a series of four workshops) lead by Sisters of Frida steering group members, Lani Parker and Dyi Huijg, on Dis/ability and Sexuality. This workshop was titled Crip Sex, Because We Want It Our Way

As disabled women we have a wide range of experiences, positive and negative, around disability, sex and sexuality. Disabled women are sexy, sexual, passionate, loving, caring, desirable, hot, beautiful, strong and much more! Our experiences of sexuality are also affected by different kinds of oppressions such as ableism, racism, sexism, heteronormativity, classism and age.

 

In this workshop we will explore what sex means for us as disabled women, non-normative sex, positive self-image, exploring sex alone and sex with others

 

I felt we really shared our experiences as disabled women intersected by faith, culture, and sexual orientation. We examined the differences with impairments, acquired and from a young age, we spoke about chronic illnesses, the barriers and effects of medication and age. Does sex alleviate pain, do we/should we have sex when we are in pain? We compared the attitudes of social workers, medical practitioners and partners – in and out of relationships, domestic abuse from families, society and community pressures.

 

I cannot wait for the next session. I hope more people will come to visit this wonderful space where we afford each other sisterhood and non-judgemental sharing.

workshops

Themes and dates of the workshops

Workshop 1: Crip Sex, Because We Want It Our Way (finished)

In this workshop we will explore what sex means for us as disabled women, non-normative sex, positive self-image, exploring sex alone and sex with others.

Date: Sat 30 July

Time: 12-4pm

 

Workshop 2: When It Doesn’t Feel Good and It Isn’t Right

In this workshop we will discuss negative experiences and difficulties we have around sex and sexuality, our boundaries, consent, privacy and ableism in relationships.

Date: Sat 27 Aug

Time: 12-4pm

 

Workshop 3: Disabled Desire: Sexy and Sensual Possibilities

In this workshop we will discuss positive experiences we have and want to have around sex and sexuality, pleasure, and what it means to desire and be desired.

Date: Sat 17 Sept

Time: 11.30-3pm

 

Workshop 4: Sex: Getting What You Want and Need

Here we will build on the other workshops, and discuss how to develop confidence and feel empowered to do and want sex differently, challenge internalised oppression and other obstacles, and talk about how to put our desires and needs into practice.

Date: Sat 22 Oct

Time: 12-4pm

this project was funded by

 

 

 

— ——

Eleanor Lisney is a founder member and coordinator of Sisters of Frida. She is an access advisor, an NUJ member on the New Media Industrial Council and the Equality Council. She is also on the British Council Disability Advisory Panel and the web team of the International Network of Women with Disabilities.

 

Photos from the Disabled Women’s Voices from the Frontline event taken by Wasi Daniju are now available for viewing. See the full set at her Flickr album.

Here are some of them. Videos coming soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks to Rosa UK for enabling this event