The 4 (but 10) Questions About the 10 Principles of Disability Justice

The 4 (but 10) Questions About the 10 Principles of Disability Justice*

“A Disability Justice framework understands that all bodies are unique and essential [and] have strengths and needs that must be met. [We] are powerful not despite the complexities of our bodies, but because of them. [All] bodies are caught in…bindings of ability, race, gender, sexuality, class, nation state and imperialism, and…we cannot separate them. These are the positions from where we struggle.”
– Patty Berne

  1. Intersectionality: “We do not live single issue lives” – Audre Lorde.

  2. Leadership of Those Most Impacted: Those most harmed by systems of oppression have the most to teach for how we can be liberated from them.

  3. Anti-Capitalist: Human worth is not dependent on what or how much we can produce; we are anti-capitalist in nature by having non-conforming body/minds.

  4. Commitment to Cross-Movement Organizing: Building alliances and connections makes our movements stronger.

  5. Recognizing Wholeness: All people have inherent worth.

  6. Sustainability: We pace ourselves to be sustained long-term.

  7. Commitment to Cross-Disability Solidarity: All of our community members’ insights are essential; isolation undermines liberation.

  8. Interdependence: We need to meet each other’s needs, knowing that state solutions inevitably increase state control over our lives.

  9. Collective Access: As brown, black, and queer-bodied disabled people, we bring flexibility and creativity to be in community with each other. 

  10. Collective Liberation: No body or mind can be left behind. Only moving together can we accomplish the revolution we require.


*These principles were developed by Sins Invalid through a series of national Disability Justice conversations. With consent, they have been truncated for space and adjusted to welcome in learners who may be new to Disability Justice language. 

Visit SinsInvalid.org to support their work.

Source: Narrow Bridge Candles Next Year in Freedom Haggadah Supplement


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions