Once the politics of disability were established — once we stopped blaming ourselves or, more particularly, our impairments, for what was happening to us and focused on how society discriminated against us — it was inevitable that we would use such tactics. Every other movement has. Democracy and the right to vote in this country were obtained through such actions. It has always been the role of the oppressor to label such actions as undemocratic or sinister: Martin Luther King was a "Communist", Mandela a "Murderer", Ghandi was a "terrorist." Once the politics of disability were established — once we stopped blaming ourselves or, more particularly, our impairments, for what was happening to us and focused on how society discriminated against us — it was inevitable that we would use such tactics. Every other movement has. Democracy and the right to vote in this country were obtained through such actions. It has always been the role of the oppressor to label such actions as undemocratic or sinister: Martin Luther King was a "Communist", Mandela a "Murderer", Ghandi was a "terrorist." DAN — the disabled people's Direct Action Network — has been called violent, unrepresentative, fanatic, etc. I want to stress that in over 150 actions only two people have been hurt — both DAN members.

Direct Action is feared because it is not controllable by the establishment. It cannot be managed, it comes as a surprise. DAN is trying to change the way society thinks about disabled people. We want you to stop feeling sorry and get angry that whole parts of your community have their human rights abused everyday. We want to dismantle the way that disabled people receive care through Social Services and Health Authorities and create new structures that enable everyone to fully participate in their communities. We want to ensure that everyone has the right to live where they want and how they want. We want to close down all institutions for disabled people by offering a real choice to live in the community. How many of your readers would choose to live in residential care or nursing homes if there was full support in the community?

Through our actions and protests we challenge the government to ensure that all citizens have basic human rights and at the same time create the public debate about an issue that is not at the forefront of public consciousness. Through our actions we grow stronger in our commitment and purpose. We channel our anger into creating positive solutions.

The democratic process in this country has been slowly dismantled over many years. Politicians and the media tell us in subtle —and not so subtle ways — to not be "political" as if it's a dirty word.

They should know!

Consultation has become a complete farce and a waste of time. Consultation is now just an exercise to find someone — anyone —who agrees with you. The Thatcher and Reagan eras have left a legacy of selfishness in politics and society that is still prevalent today. No political party which aspires to power wants to raise taxes to help people in dire need. Instead they continue to give out small handouts saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

We've tried the proper channels and the traditional ways but they haven't delivered: we've been reasonable only to be patronised. If someone knows a better way that we haven't tried, please tell us. Until that time we will continue to go to jail and use tactics of non-violent civil disobedience to accelerate the change process just to defend what we do have. DAN will be in London in April to ask all parties to take on board DAN's agenda to "Free Our People". We will be calling for an end to charging disabled people for the services they need to live in the community. We will be calling for an independent inquiry into allegations of abuse in Leonard Cheshire homes to be led by disabled people.