Disability History Month 2026
30 Oct 2026
The Unfinished Act: adding life to years and creating opportunity for generations to come
UK Disability History Month, 19 November – 19 December, is a time to celebrate progress, challenge inequality and amplify the voices of disabled people. At Manchester, it’s also a moment to honour those who shaped the national conversation, and to spotlight the work still ahead.
This year, we're kicking off with The Unfinished Act, the Alf Morris Disability Lecture. Alf Morris, a pioneering Manchester MP and the world’s first Minister for Disabled People, championed a powerful vision of genuine equality of opportunity. He believed where years cannot be added to people’s lives, “at least life can be added to their years”.
The lecture will be delivered by Kate Nash OBE, founder of PurpleSpace and a leading advocate for disability inclusion in the workplace. She will explore how society and organisations can build on past progress, embrace innovation and create opportunities for disabled people to contribute and thrive. Disabled People’s Organisations will also showcase their work during the event, reflecting the lived experiences and leadership at the heart of Disability History Month.
Dr Hamied Haroon, Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Disability:
"Alf Morris gave us a powerful vision of a society in which disabled people have genuine equality of opportunity. His legacy is something to celebrate, but it also calls us to action. The work is unfinished, and each generation has a responsibility to challenge exclusion, embrace new ideas and ensure that disabled people are central to shaping the decisions and innovations that affect our lives.”
The Unfinished Act
- When: Tuesday 24 November, 6.00pm - 9.00pm
- Where: Nancy Rothwell Building, Oxford Road
- Register here and join us in person or online
Other ways to get involved with Disability History Month
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower training – online session. Gain knowledge on the sunflower's significance, learn about non-visible disabilities, conditions and chronic illnesses, and get your questions answered in a dedicated Q&A session.
- AI that works for everybody - webinar. Explore how AI enhancements to assistive technology can offer real benefits, how AI -created imagery depicts people with disabilities and the impact of AI on those with neurodivergent conditions.
- Realising Disability Inclusion event drop in - Join colleagues on Thursday 28 November, 3–5pm, to explore what the Realising Disability Inclusion project has achieved to improve career development and inclusion for disabled PGRs and ECRs, and launch Reinventing Laura, our new e‑comic on inclusive supervision.