Book Discussion: Disabling Migration Controls: Shared Learning, Solidarity and Collective Resistance

 About the Book 

When people are prevented from meeting their needs, the impact is disabling, whether in the immigration system or in the wider population. Drawing on many years of research and activism, this book argues that insights from the disabled people's movement, particularly the original Social Model of Disability, can be usefully extended to focus resistance on the disabling restrictions imposed on people subject to asylum and immigration controls. 

While acknowledging the pain and discomfort of many impairments and of forced displacement, the book focuses on injustices that can be changed. It does not catalogue the hostility of the 'hostile environment'. Nor does it promote inclusive asylum restrictions. An unjust system is not transformed by including disabled people. Policies designed to deprive people of essential needs and to stoke hatred among the wider population are core elements of the rise of fascism. In this context, bringing together movements for disability and migrant justice could help build urgently needed solidarity and resistance with which to develop a society based on equity and common humanity. 

About the Speakers 

Dr Rebecca Yeo is based at the University of Exeter. She has been a researcher and activist focused on intersectional injustices associated with disability and forced migration for several decades. Her book Disabling Migration Controls argues that the restrictions imposed on people seeking asylum are actively disabling and that insights from the disabled people's movement are highly relevant to building greater justice. She is the cofounder of the Disability and Migration Network. 

Ellen Clifford is a Disabled activist, member of the national steering group of Disabled People Against Cuts and author of The War on Disabled People published by Zed Books, which won the 2021 Bread and Roses award. 

Dr Nicolette Busuttil is a Lecturer in Law at the College of Law (SOAS). Her teaching and research focus on refugees and other migrants under international and EU human rights law, with a focus on disabled people. Her work examines the role of law in creating and perpetuating disability for non-citizens with her wider research interests including the impact of inter-state and regional cooperation on the effective implementation of rights in the migration and asylum sphere.  

Event Registration 

You can attend this event in person at SWLT, Paul Webley Wing, SOAS University of London or alternatively online via Teams. Please indicate your preference upon registration. The link will be sent to registrants closer to the date. 

Accessibility 

Please see the SOAS campus accessibility statement and contact the organisers in case of queries. If you require any additional access adjustments to take part, please get in touch with us in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.