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