This meeting with be introduced by Roddy Slorach, disability rights campaigner, trade union activist and author of 'A Very Capitalist Condition: A History and Politics of Disability'.

Roddy has led the way in explaining how notions of 'disability', 'normativity' and 'divergence' are rooted in the rise of capitalism. In particular they are shaped by capitalism's need to establish
norms of working-class behaviour suited to production for private and corporate profit. It is important for example to see how the contemporary workplace disables people who do not think in a typical way and how it distorts and damages human attributes and capacities.

Against the background of a capitalist system in deep crisis, we have seen a welcome
development of mass campaigns for neurodivergent rights which have thrown up both
theoretical and strategic questions.

In the meantime, existing provision to support those who are neurodivergent is under
savage attack. For example we currently see major Autism support networks facing
closure due to funding cuts, and the government has made it clear that it plans a
massive assault on disability benefits of every kind.

How can we come together to push back against these attacks? How do they help us
understand both the way capitalism works and the way to defeat it?

Come along and join the discussion. Hosted by Bristol Socialist Workers Party.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions — Read more — Read less