Module 1: Understanding the Attack

Learning Intentions: Analyze current executive orders and policies targeting disabled people, understand historical patterns of disability oppression, and identify points of resistance.

Reflection & Engagement Options

Journal Prompts

1. How has your understanding of disability been shaped by charity models, medical models, or inspiration narratives? What would it look like to release these frameworks?

2. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed authentic accommodation or access. What made it feel different from tokenistic inclusion?

3. Looking at current political attacks on disabled people, what historical patterns do you recognize? What gives you hope about resistance possibilities?

4. How might your own liberation be connected to disability liberation, even if you don't identify as disabled?

Discussion Questions for Learning Communities

1. How do current attacks on disabled people connect to other forms of oppression happening right now? What are the intersections?

2. Discuss the principle "leadership of the most impacted." How can communities ensure that disabled people of color, queer and trans disabled people, and multiply-marginalized disabled people lead resistance work?

3. What does authentic solidarity with disabled communities look like during times of political attack? How can non-disabled people support without taking over?

4. How do you see disability justice principles applying to other liberation movements you're part of?

Creative & Artistic Engagement

Visual Arts:

• Create a protest poster using disability justice principles

• Design an accessible infographic about current threats to disabled people

• Make a zine page combining historical images with current resistance

Performance & Movement:

• Write and perform a spoken word piece about disability pride as resistance

• Create a TikTok/Instagram series explaining disability justice to your community

• Develop a skit showing the difference between accommodation and access

Music & Sound:

• Curate a playlist of songs by disabled artists that speak to resistance

• Write protest songs or chants for disability rights actions

• Create an audio story about disabled ancestors who fought back

Digital & Tech:

• Design memes that educate about disability justice

• Create an accessible website or social media campaign

• Build a digital archive of disabled resistance stories

Community Art:

• Organize a community mural project about disability pride

• Start a disabled storytelling circle in your area

• Create a community care resource map for disabled people

Writing & Documentation:

• Interview disabled elders about their experiences with resistance

• Write letters to elected officials using disability justice principles

• Document accessibility barriers in your community and envision solutions